This is the album of the year, period. San Francisco based Progressive Heavy Metallers Anvil Chorus have been re united and their comeback album –which is actually their debut as they have released only demo tapes through the 80s- is a real masterpiece. Before you point that my enthusiasm drives me to write those words make yourself a favor buy the album, listen it and if you do not like it I will buy it back from you!

Anvil Chorus delivers a mixture of classic Heavy Metal –the American way-, early 80s Crossover –as it was presented by pioneers like Dark Starr, Dezark, Monarch, Legend and so many others- and melodic Progressive Metal. The “Deadly Weapons” opening track will overtake you by storm but surely does not matches the vibe of the whole album as track by track the music becomes more mysterious, melodic and dark but still very very VERY HEAVY. Tracks like the epic and apocalyptic “Red Skies”, the exotically brilliant “Time After Time” (probably my favorite track together with “Deadly Weapons” as it carries a special melancholy), the mysterious “Death Of A Dream” are only a few examples of this record's greatness.

Who cares that the release year of the record is 2009? It could be one of those magnificent early 80s Crossover / Heavy Metal US diamonds with that very special exotic heavy sound. The compositions themselves carry this spirit and they enforced by that somehow retro production that makes this record to RULE!

Well this one if for those SERIOUSLY into high quality music. This is sophisticated, intelligent, thinking man’s stuff, meanwhile Heavy as Hell. No more words… if you search for mysterious, Progressive Heavy Metal played in a passionate and adventurous way then THIS IS the best album that you could listen!

http://www.myspace.com/anvilchorussf

Review by: Countraven