(Live Review) ANVIL + SUPPORT - Chicago, Ill. (8/22/24)

By

The Beard & Little Johnny

Welcome back my friends to the reviews that never end. Tonight, we brave the Democratic National Convention crowds as we travel to the Chicago south side for our 49th live show of 2024. This evening, the Beard and Little Johnny attended bands #163-166 at Reggie’s Rock Club.

Headlining, from Canada, the speed power trio known as Anvil. In supporting roles were Cleveland’s female fronted power thrash Olathia, southern Maines prog metal band Pulsifier, and Illinois natives Fierce Atmospheres. On a beautiful summer eve, the Beard has ordered a Goose Island Matilda while the imp is having a Zombie Ice IPA. The weather is good, and so far no line as we waited for doors. Hopefully, things will pick up before showtime.

We were the first people in the door tonight and that meant first to the merch table where I snatched up an Anvil shirt with the Canadian maple leaf and Fucken Ey on the front with a number 24 on the back. Unique design and actually worth the thirty-dollar price tag to me. Johnny grabbed some autographed drumsticks from Mrs. Reiner (who it turned out was the band’s merch supplier.) She said if we came back after the show, drummer Rob Reiner would take a picture with Little Johnny (who was happy to agree.)

A stop at the bar for another round of Zombie Dust’s (When did you get money little dude?), and then it was time for the show.

FIERCE ATMOSPHERE

Openers Fierce Atmospheres have been around since 2001 but have only released two full lengths, the most recent being 2021’s the Speed of Dreams. The band began with a toast and then launched into a kind of prog-meets-trad kinda song. Little Johnny said, “Hey Beard, didn’t that dude sing in a band we saw back in January?” “I think you are right little dude. He used to sing in Accracy back in January. Good voice questionable stage appearance.”

This guy could hit some high notes and Fierce Atmospheres songs seemed to have purpose, but, at the same time, they were too busy with all the prog elements. Like tomato soup with twenty-three herbs and spices added to it. There is such a thing as too much and Fierce Atmospheres seemed to have that issue. No lack of skill ... just nothing that really caught me full on. Grade 73/100.

PULSIFIER

By contrast, Maine's Pulsifier have only been together about a year. They have one release, Scars. Little Johnny asked me what Pulsifier meant. “It’s a channel through which vibrations flow transforming into something new.” Johnny looked at me and. Said, “Look Beard, if you don’t know just say so. Don’t make up nonsense.”

When MeA (the singer for Pulsifier) hit the stage in her blue green skintight outfit and long blonde hair, Little Johnny said, “Beard is that a mermaid?” “Maybe little dude, she sure looks like it.” Pulsifier was a four-piece prog band with a hot blonde lead singer that honestly was not particularly good. Physically stunning and a real stage presence, but the plain guy from Fierce Atmospheres blew her away vocally. For me, this was the musical equivalent of the blonde cheerleader on the pep squad that everyone wanted to date, but no one wanted to hear talk.

The rest of the band was average at best. Okay guitar, adequate rhythm section. Ultimately, Pulsifier was not only nothing to write home about, but also nothing to even uncap the pen for. The one song where she held a plexiglass sheet in front of her face, (to simulate the “inner” voice) was a bit Lady Gaga and essentially blocked the best part of Pulsifiers act which was looking at the hot blonde. Overall, I cannot go more than 63/100. I just do not see it happening for them.

OLATHIA

Olathia splits the difference between the two former openers. Having been around since around 2015, but releasing three full lengths in that time, including last years The Forest Witch. Chris E, the full-figured female lead singer has a better voice than MeA of Pulsifier, but less range than the guy from Fierce Atmospheres. Still, range aside, Chris E can really hold a note. Plus, Olathias songs were the most enjoyable of the night thus far to listen to. Numbers like "Forest Witch" were fast, energetic and the purest metal so far this evening.

Little Johnny loved "Shotgun" because it was about beer and bongs. Olathia gave a spirited set and Chris E was working her tail off up there trying to give an impressive performance. The Beard respects effort and they brought it. Olathia played for fifty people like it was five hundred. Afterwards, Chris, (who did remember the Beard from a festival last year), greeted me warmly and soon we were talking like no time had passed. A CD, a shot glass, some tarot cards, and a picture later it was almost time for Anvil. Going 84/100 for a set full of fun, passion, and effort.

ANVIL

Anvil is the hard luck story of the metal world. Formed in Toronto all the way back in 1978, Anvil would release twenty albums over their more than four-decade long career. The late 1980’s saw a three-album run with Metal Blade that would be their commercial apex with Strength of Steel reaching 191 on the billboard top 200.

From 1990, (with the emerging grunge movement) until around 2006, Anvil toiled in relative obscurity. Their next significant break would be a 2008 documentary on the band directed by a former roadie. Anvil: The Story of Anvil caught the public’s interest and allowed them to snag an opening slot on AC/DC’s “Black Ice” tour. They also garnered their first TV appearance in 2009 on the Tonight Show.

Since 2010, Anvil has lumbered on with a European tour here, a small venue North America tour there and a new album every so often. Singer and founder Steve “Lips” Kudlow is the eternal wandering Canuck who, along with Robb Reiner (not THAT one), just keeps Anvil going like the proverbial Energizer Bunny.

Anvil hit the stage to a minimalist crowd. Far less than they deserved, but perhaps nothing unusual to Lips who by now had seen it all, done it all and experienced it all. The first song out of the gate was "March of the Crabs" and Lips decided to play it while wandering through the crowd. An entertainer right from go and some good stuff to kick it off.

At 68, Lips has lost some voice (and certainly some hair as he displayed his Friar Tuck bald spot) but he still presents as a man who has not lost the love of playing metal. His guitar work is still just fine and Reiner pounds the drums like he was twenty years younger. Anvil is ultimately fun metal and the crowd that did decide to come out tonight got their money’s worth.

Honestly, the Beard is just not that familiar with the Anvil catalog of songs and I cannot tell you too much of the setlist by name, but Lips is a performer and Reiner holds the pocket. It is clear they have been together a long time. Whether they played new or old material, Anvil rocked. I can already tell that Little Johnny is going to be singing "Bad Ass Rock n Roll" all the way home now. The Beard loves two great numbers by Anvil, "This is Thirteen" (which did NOT make the setlist this tour), and of course "Metal on Metal" which did. (Ed: You have much to learn, Beard. Take a listen to our In 40 Minutes episode dedicated to Anvil's best tracks!)

Other high points were a pretty cool bass solo by ten-year veteran, but relative Anvil rookie Chris Robertson. Also, (with respect to BOC’s Godzilla, who else besides Anvil would write a song about "Mothra"? Too bad there was no budget in an Anvil show for special effects because a giant moth flying around during that one would have been great. (Ed: What? A vibrator doesn't count as a special effect?!)

Overall, I am calling Anvil a nice retro act that was still fun to see and hear even if virtually no one else came to see/hear it. 86/100.

This wraps up show number #49 and bands #163-166. Remember to tune in every Wednesday for live concert reviews right here on your home for Metal the Mighty Decibel. Visit thebeard0728 at TikTok for all the videos and follow Mark McQueen on Facebook for weekly nonmetal reviews. Until next time, this is the Beard & Little Johnny saying ... Live Life, Stay Heavy and Horns Up!!!