There is more than one artist using the name Anvil:

1) Anvil is a C… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist using the name Anvil:

1) Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band who has influenced many musical groups including Slayer and Metallica. The band's history is chronicled in the 2009 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

2) Anvil is a1970s German heavy prog psych band.

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1) - The roots of Anvil began in April 1973 in Toronto, when high school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. They met through friend, guitarist and neighbour Marty Hoffman, but "musical differences" caused his departure after their first show. It was not until 1978 that the first lineup that was to become Anvil was formed: Steve "Lips" Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Robb Reiner (drums), Dave Allison (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Ian Dickson (bass).

In 1981, the band released an independent album called Hard 'N Heavy. Shortly after they were signed by Attic Records they changed their name to Anvil and the independent album was released by Attic as their debut album. In 1987 they were approached by American label Metal Blade Records. They released three records with Metal Blade Records starting with Strength Of Steel. Strength of Steel was the group's most commercially successful record in the United States, peaking at #191 on the Billboard 200. Anvil were then picked up by Maximum Records, an independent Canadian label that was formed by Helix's manager-at-the-time William Seip. From 1996 they were signed by Hypnotic Records in Canada and Massacre Records in Germany. In 2001, the band recorded "Plenty of Power" and continued touring in which Kudlow remarked "We'll play gigs sometimes where there's no one there".

In 2006, the band recorded with Chris Tsangarides, who previously produced their 1982 album Metal on Metal. The CD was released as This is Thirteen in 2007. The album is available exclusively from the band's official website. KNAC reviewed the album saying that "despite its good intentions, is lacking something solid," and concluded it was a "shame because half of the album rocked solid balls of awesomeness when performed live."

The band's history has been documented in the film Anvil! The Story of Anvil released in 2009. The film has received high praise which has put Anvil back into the public consciousness, propelling them to playing several festivals including the Download Festival in 2009. Rolling Stone called the movie "the year’s most praised rock doc." The band played “Cat Scratch Fever” with Slash and Anthrax’s Scott Ian at the Sundance Film Festival where the movie premiered.

In 2009, Bantam Press released the book Anvil: The Story of Anvil authored by Kudlow and Reiner with a foreword by Slash. On March 28, 2009 Kudlow and Reiner were the featured guests on VH1 Classic's That Metal Show. From June to July 2010, Anvil went on a tour of Europe, selling out venues in the UK, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as festivals in Finland, Sweden, France, Italy and Germany.

The band released 'Juggernaut of Justice', their 14th studio album, on May 10, 2011, care of The End Records. Following the release of the album the band completed yet more tours in Europe and North America, often playing alongside artists such as Alice Cooper and Saxon. The band released a new greatest hits album Monument of Metal: The Very Best of Anvil. Anvil also started re-releasing their old material, starting with Strength of Steel, Pound For Pound, and Worth the Weight later that same year.

In January 2012, bassist Glenn Gyorffy quit Anvil, citing creative differences. He was replaced by Sal Italiano, late of Iron Maiden tribute band Live After Death. Anvil embarked on a 2012 Winter Tour of the US and, in May 2013, released 'Hope in Hell', a studio recording produced by Bob Marlette. At this point, the band had signed with Steamhammer, which would release its next two albums. Anvil toured to promote the new album; they opened for Metallica in Singapore, played Wacken Open Air in Germany, swung through Australia and, in 2014, went on an extensive US tour. In 2014, Raven Banner Entertainment released Louder Than Hell: Wacken, The Movie, a collector's edition DVD of the Wacken concert, featuring Alice Cooper, Anthrax, Anvil, Annihilator, Deep Purple, Henry Rollins, Lamb of God, Motörhead, Rammstein and Trivium. Also in 2014, Anvil parted ways with Sal Italiano and replaced him with Chris Robertson, who was already acting as the band's rehearsal bassist and a member of their road crew.

The album 'Anvil Is Anvil' was released on February 26, 2016; the band toured Europe and Japan in support of it. Anvil continued touring as its seventeenth album, 'Pounding the Pavement', was released on January 19, 2018. Anvil's 18th album, 'Legal at Last', was released on February 14, 2020 by AFM Records. Anvil will be releasing their 19th studio album 'Impact Is Imminent' in May 2022.

2) - Anvil is a1970s German heavy prog psych band, including:

Winfried Borchardt (drums)
Jürgen Ceynowa (bass)
Udo Kamps (rhythm guitar)
Wolfgang Müllers (lead guitar, vocals)
Winfried Zastrau (keyboards, vocals)

Their Mr. Music Man released in 1979, must be one of the last forgotten Krautrock obscurities from the '70.

Big Business
Anvil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Big business, it's all around
Big business, let's bring it down
Big business, the FDA
Big business, the placebo way

Big business, Nike shoes
Big business, sweat house blues
Big business, Tobacco Company

Big business for the mortuary

Nothing's free
Pay for it all
Can't you see?
Nations will fall

[Chorus]
Big business
Big business
Big business
Big business

War for peace
The Middle East

Big business, the Church always wins
Big business, paying for sins
Big business, oil prices
Big business, war devices

Nothing's free
Pay for it all
Rising fee
Nations will fall

[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

In the song "Big Business" by Anvil, the lyrics are a critique of the power and influence of corporations and their impact on various aspects of society. The song highlights the pervasive presence of big business in different sectors, from the food and drug industry to clothing, tobacco, and even the funeral business.

The lyrics suggest that big business operates with a focus on profit rather than the well-being of people. The mention of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the placebo effect implies that these corporations prioritize their financial interests over the health and welfare of consumers. The song also addresses the exploitation of workers, as seen in the reference to Nike shoes and the "sweat house blues." It criticizes the Tobacco Company for profiting from addictive products that harm people's health and the mortuary business, which makes money from death.

The lyrics emphasize the lack of freedom and the cost associated with big business. The lines "Nothing's free, pay for it all" convey the idea that everything comes with a price, even basic necessities. The repetition of "Nations will fall" is a warning that the unchecked power of big business can have detrimental effects on society as a whole.

Overall, "Big Business" is a commentary on the negative consequences of corporate dominance and the need to hold these entities accountable for their actions.

Line by Line Meaning

Big business, it's all around
The influence and impact of large corporations is pervasive and omnipresent in our society.

Big business, let's bring it down
Let's work towards dismantling the power and control that big business holds over our lives.

Big business, the FDA
Even institutions like the FDA can be influenced and controlled by big business interests.

Big business, the placebo way
In some cases, big business may prefer to promote placebos or ineffective solutions to maintain their profits.

Big business, Nike shoes
The exploitative and unethical practices behind the production of Nike shoes.

Big business, sweat house blues
Workers in sweatshops suffer and endure harsh conditions for the sake of big business profits.

Big business, Tobacco Company
The negative impact of the tobacco industry, including its harmful effects on public health.

Big business for the mortuary
Big business profits from the unfortunate reality of death and funeral services.

Nothing's free
In a world dominated by big business, everything comes with a cost.

Pay for it all
We are expected to bear the financial burden of big business's actions and choices.

Can't you see?
It's important to recognize and acknowledge the influence of big business in our lives.

Nations will fall
If left unchecked, the power and dominance of big business could lead to the decline and collapse of entire nations.

War for peace
The irony and contradiction of engaging in warfare in the pursuit of peace, often influenced by big business interests.

The Middle East
Specifically referencing the region that has seen significant conflict and control by big business in the pursuit of resources and power.

Big business, the Church always wins
The church, like big business, benefits and gains from its association with power and influence.

Big business, paying for sins
Big business often avoids accountability for their wrongdoings by paying their way out of legal consequences.

Big business, oil prices
How big business controls and manipulates oil prices to maximize their profits.

Big business, war devices
The military-industrial complex and its relationship with big business, profiting from the manufacturing and sale of weapons for war.

Rising fee
The increasing cost and expenses imposed by big business on individuals and society as a whole.

[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the idea and emphasis on the influence and impact of big business.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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