Jon Oliva

Anvil: No longer bottom feeders with success that’s well deserved

“This is a mutual strength for Kudlow and Reiner, who are sons of Holocaust survivors. Kudlow believes that “no matter how much money you make, there is never a means to an end” as it is not something one can derive satisfaction from.

Being thrown into a heavy metal abyss in the 80s without a producer, manager or financial support, the band needed extra assistance, but faced challenges with a resilient independence.

“We didn’t have all of that but we still had to survive,” Reiner says. “Through struggle, we enjoyed it.””

Hellbound contributing writer Ola Mazzuca interviews Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner from Canadian metal legends Anvil about how endurance, never giving up and sticking to their guns has helped the Toronto band regain the success they so rightfully deserve. All photography by Frank Mazzuca.