Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
To be in the fast lane does not always mean that you have been fast-tracked, for it is better, more productive and noteworthy to have had the engine tick over for a while as you build momentum, as you gauge the road ahead, as you watch for signs that might hinder the journey, and then as you pull out, as you ease the foot down on the pedal, you know for sure that Impact Is Imminent, not in a crash that will derail you, but for going through the barrier of belief and digging deep into the conscious of public opinion; that impact, that sense of powerful influence that comes to those who are patient and wait for the right moment to strike.
Arguably one of the legendary bands of the time, their continual dominance of their craft is one of the reasons for their longevity, for the sheer capacity of work they have produced, and like Progressive Rock royalty Rush, have made Toronto proud of their endeavour and ethic for completeness and volume, of their resounding music which is by degrees ready to impact on the souls of all who come their way, and stay for the next sign post which point the way forward.
Some structures are immovable from their plinth, some dislodge easily given time, removed by lesser hunters of the path, robbers of sound and stealers of past influences, but Anvil remains solid, struck by the fires of a forge, produced to bring metal to life, and across tracks such as the lead single Ghost Shadow, Another Gun Fight, Someone To Hate, Wizard’s Wand, Explosive Energy, the excellent The Rabbit Hole, and Teabag, Steve Kudlow, Robb Reiner, and Chris Robertson, have once more stoked the fire under the hood and set out to defy the stubborn by creating an album of buoyant, rampant, petrol driven standards, motifs, and fierce electric cool in Impact Is Imminent.
Whilst we will look back at the last few years with a sense of foreboding, time having been robbed, people losing so much love, in another respect it has offered us perhaps the gift of resurgence, of striking out in the fast lane and knowing we have to push on with every fibre in our being, because at some point the impact will come, and no matter how sturdy, how strong, how resilient we are, we will only see the end when it is right on top of us.
A terrific album that implores life to be lived, Anvil have struck once more and the sparks fly in serious colour and illumination.
Anvil release Impact Is Imminent on 20th May via AFM Records.
Ian D. Hall