02.08.2013 Anvil

Wacken Open Air XXIV

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

The Canadian metalller of Anvil were guests for the last time at Wacken in 2010 rocking at nearly the same time the True Metal Stage, but this year they had to be satisfied by playing the much smaller W.E.T. stage inside the tent.
As one of the style-defining trash metal bands they were not much recognized in the early days. The reputation grew by their 2009 released movie to a level which is more appropriate for them in my opinion. With them they brought songs of their latest record "Hope In Hell" of which immediately after the older stunner "666" the song "Badass Rock'n'Roll" was played. The growing success led to a redeployment because the former bass player Glenn Gyorffy quit the band last year. As replacement Sal Italiano was introduced who directly could show his skills during "Winged Assasins".
It was already quite late but it did not do harm to the atmosphere in front of the stage. From time to time some tried to initiate a moshpit and it was loudly sang along so that the band was excessively celebrated of the quite impressive crowd. In the end the home-stretch was hit by "Eat Your Words" and the classic "Metal On Metal".
Moods were superb, the sound was great, the band was feeling good. For such a late starting time you cannot expect much but I have to say that they were better showing to advantage in this "intimate" atmosphere of the tent as playing lost in front of roughly a handful of people in front of one of the main stages. These guys really know after all these years how to let the crowd of people boil. Anyhow, a little bit more of time to play would have been better than only having short 60 minutes because due to that Steve "Lips" Kudlow appeared quite haunted inbetween the songs.