1967/ 1976
A punch in the face is less painful than this masterpiece of Speed Metal. Provided we can agree to do the test! Said this I think that the evolution of Traditional Metal for Anvil is Speed Metal and Extreme power Metal and Extreme Power Metal. No compromises... With no conpromises! At this point is clear that Anvil is a great band, in evolution day by day.
Interesting is "Speed Of Sound", a good Speed Metal, direct and bastard. Extreme is, in Power Metal field, "Blood In The Playground", maybe a great melodic USA Power Metal as "Deadbeat Dad" that is also an elaborate song for the album standard. Great solo and great refrain, also melodic, if this definition is applicable for Anvil and "Speed Of Sound". "Man Over Broad" is a short but great example of Speed Metal without compromise. "No Evil" is a song for Prog Metallers, because with various moments. A doomy intro, Speed solo and first verse, simil Black/ Death bridge, Power Metal refrain and second verse, another passage via bridge/ refrain, Jazzy moment, Thrash soli section, Another Power Metal verse and another section with bridge and refrain. At the end this song is a modern Power Metal song for Progsters. "Bullshit" is a strange song for style. Ok, at the end is another Traditional Metal/ Power Metal/ Thrash Metal with Punk treatment, typical of this album. But also with AOR atmospheres in vocal lines (also if very aggressive)!!! "Mattress Mambo" The classic song (slightly crazy) you need to fill an album, song of relief, then, but with a great deal of technical writing and really above average. In my view this is the song more close to European Power Metal, because this is a song in this style. "Secret Agent" is another good Power Metal with Speed parts (very Punky) with great guitars riffs. "Life To Lead" present a start similar to Motorhead "Ace Of Spades". Hmmm... This song is a pure Motorhead song... "Ace Of Spades" is a copy of this song and not vice versa!!! "Park That Truck" close the album. This song is a beautiful song. Unless the head decides to break and his heart to race at dull speeds of drums. Because Speed Metal in this case is only speed!!!
So ... The Canadians Anvil have decided to rise Gods of Speed Metal or have made a pact with the devil? I'm not able to write an answer. I'm sincere. I prefer to judge this album for what it is. A pure no compromises album. With direct writing. With technique and with magic. Only that a punch in the face is less painful than this masterpiece of Speed Metal