Canadian heavy metal veterans Anvil have returned with their twentieth studio album, One And Only. With this album, Anvil reaffirm their status as loveable stalwarts of the metal scene, bringing a somewhat revitalised sound that harks back to their early roots while maintaining their signature straightforward metal style.

Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow, Robb Reiner, and bassist Chris Robertson have crafted an album that pulsates with palpable energy (thanks to the indefatigable drumming of Reiner, largely) and boneheaded passion (that’s Lips, obvs -Ed). Lips’ guitar riffs may not be as cutting as they once were, but his storytelling remains strangely compelling. Robb Reiner’s drumming is powerful and precise, providing a solid backbone alongside Robertson’s robust bass lines.

The title track, One And Only, opens the album with a powerful statement, setting the tone for what follows. It’s a perfect blend of classic metal riffs and endearingly creaky hooks, embodying the essence of Anvil’s enduring appeal in the twenty first century. Feed Your Fantasy and Fight For Your Rights continue this trend, offering up crowd-friendly, anthemic choruses and entertaining guitar work that are sure to remind fans of why they fell in love with the band way back when.

The band’s decision to shed the more modern elements and focus on their traditional sound is evident throughout the album. Tracks like Heartbroken and best track Dead Man Shoes exemplify this approach, delivering raw, unfiltered metal that is both nostalgic and fresh. The absence of thrash speed and sexual themes, which characterised some of their nineties work, marks a return to form that will please purists.

The production by Martin ‘Mattes’ Pfeiffer and Jörg Uken is impeccable, capturing the raw energy and devil may care swagger of Anvil’s live performance. You can almost feel the sweat dripping from the ceiling as the band hammer away through tracks like the excellent AC/DC pastiche Truth Is Dying

Reflecting on Anvil’s recent works, One And Only surpasses the plodding moments of Impact Is Imminent and maintains a consistent quality reminiscent of the standout tracks from Legal At Last. Where Impact Is Imminent occasionally faltered with predictability, One And Only takes the inevitable familiarity and shines it up with renewed vigour and a sense of purpose. It largely avoids the pitfalls of filler content that marred parts of Legal At Last, focusing instead on delivering solid, memorable tracks from start to finish, with only the plodding Rocking The World really letting the side down.

In the final analysis, One And Only is a more than worthy addition to Anvil’s enduring legacy. Nearly twenty years on from The Story Of Anvil‘s career-boosting emergence, It’s another must-listen for fans and a strong addition to their extensive discography. Anvil has proven once again that they are indeed one of a kind, and this album solidifies their place in metal history. And deservedly so.

One and Only releases On June 28th.