Anvil, Graveshadow, Unleash The Archer

Long time veteran rockers, "Anvil" from Toronto, Ontario kicked off their west coast tour in Spokane, WA at The PIN Music Venue, with young metal rockers "Graveshadow" out of Sacramento, CA and "Unleash The Archer" from Vancouver, Canada on Thursday night May 26th. When I heard Anvil was going to be in town I just had to go see them I had heard so much about this band and I had even watched their documentary of their adventures in Europe.

Anvil Documentary Trailer.

At 14, best friends Robb Reiner and Lips made a pact to rock together forever. Their band, Anvil, hailed as the "demi-gods of Canadian metal, " influenced a musical generation that includes Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, despite never hitting the big time. Following a eventful European tour, Lips and Robb, now in their early 60's, set off to record their 13th album.

Anvil's Current Members: Steve "Lips" Kudlow - vocals/guitars Robb Reiner - drums Chris Robertson-bass. Anvil was formed in 1978 but the roots of the band date back to 1973 from the members high school days when the band was called, "Lips". There is a 2008 documentary movie out about their experiences in Europe. In 1981 after the release of the album, "Hard & Heavy" is when they changed their name from, Lips to Anvil. Lemmy Kilmister asked, "Lips" to play guitar for Motorhead that same year, but he declined the offer. Anvil dedicated their song, "Free As The Wind". to the late singer at tonight's show. They said they would be playing music and touring until they were old men, they kept true to their word.

Unleash The Archers is a Metal band from Vancouver, Canada Members: Brittney Slayes - Vocals Scott Buchanan - Drums Grant Truesdell - Guitar, Vocals Andrew Kingsley - Guitar, Vocals Nikko Whitworth - Bass. This band was killer and I thoroughly enjoyed their set, Brittney Slayes strong vocals leading the band and energetic stage performance this band puts on a great show they aims to please. I had never seen any of these bands live, and I have to say I was Impressed. If you are not familiar with the bands the best way to remedy that is to support live music, buy a ticket and check out the show.

Brittney Slayes

Graveshadow is a Metal, Gothic, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal band from Sacramento CA. Members: Heather Michele - Vocals Will Walker - Rhythm Guitars Valerie Hudak - Keys Roman Anderson - Drums Ben Armstrong - Bass Aaron Robitsch-Lead Guitar.

Graveshadow (Blood & Fire)

I was chatting with Aaron Robitsch of the band Alchemia and promoter out of Redwood City, CA, he was asked to play lead guitar for this tour with Graveshadow just weeks before the tour started. Short notice to learn all the songs but I am sure they are all friends and hang in the same circle, I am guessing he may have had an upper hand at possibly knowing some of the songs? I'm not sure if Aaron will reunite with Alchemia or stay with Graveshadow after the tour with Anvil and Unleash The Archer as I was unable to get any further information as they were packing up and heading out to their next show at The El Corazon, in Seattle Friday night and Portland Saturday. "Graveshadow" will be touring with Anvil until June 4th before they split and finish out their Northern Winds Tour in Boise, ID June 7th.

Killer show Thursday night, I finally met long time rockers, Anvil that I had heard so much about through the years, and met some new up and coming bands Graveshadow, and Unleash The Archer, I am sure will make a mark for themselves in the music world.

Anvil did many solo's and instrumentals and interacted with the crowd. The crowd enjoyed the show and all the bands were available after the show to snap a few selfies and sign CD's, I happened to pick up the new "Graveshadow" release, Nocturnal Resurrection, great CD. Check them out when they hit your area you won't be disappointed. Until next time take it easy, and most importantly Rock N Roll. **Peace** js*