Skol Records has set an April 19 release date for “Strong As Steel – A Tribute To Anvil”, the first-ever ANVIL tribute compilation. The effort will be limited to only 666 CD units, and will include ANVIL cover versions performed by such bands as MAVERICK (Japan), SINISTER REALM (USA),STORMZONE (Ireland), SATANICA (Japan), IRON KOBRA (Germany),DEXTER WARD (Greece), CONVIXION (Greece), SAVAGE BLADE(Canada), SKELATOR (USA), CAYM (Canadian band featuring ANVILdrummer Robb Reiner‘s son Tyler on drums), CRYSTAL VIPER (Poland) and others. The album is being produced by Bart Gabriel (pictured below with ANVIL frontman Steve “Lips” Kudlow), who — in addition to helming albums by such bands as JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR, CRYSTAL VIPER, LONEWOLF and SACRED STEEL — has produced the “A Tribute To Cirith Ungol”, “A Tribute To Metalucifer” And “A Tribute To Sabbat”compilations, as well as several other cover songs which later landed on tribute albums to such acts as W.A.S.P., ANGEL WITCH, MANILLA ROAD, WARLOCK and RUNNING WILD.
Commented Gabriel: “This will be a real tribute, a really high-quality release, because ANVIL deserve to have one. I realize it won’t be a bestseller, but all those who have seen ‘Anvil! The Story Of Anvil’ movie will understand what’s the driving force behind this project.”
He added, “I’m one of those guys who got inspired by ANVIL to continue, to follow my dreams, to never give up. And I know there are many, many bands around who feel like the movie is about them as well. It’s all about positive energy, and I’m truly honored that the project was approved and blessed by ANVIL members, [which is what] makes it even more special!”
“Anvil! The Story of Anvil” was named one of 2009’s best documentaries by a slew of film critics associations across the continent, including critics in Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Las Vegas, as well as theInternational Documentary Association, the Online Film Critics Society, and the National Society of Film Critics. It also made the year-end Top 10 lists in publications such as the New York Times,Washington Post, Newsweek, and Village Voice.