ANVIL Frontman Checks In From The Studio

Canadian metal legends ANVIL have entered NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, AIRBOURNE, FILTER, ATREYU, ALICE COOPER) to begin recording their new album, "Hope In Hell", for a late spring/early summer release via The End Records in North America and SPV/Steamhammer in Europe. The CD will mark the recording debut with the band of bassist Sal Italiano who replaced Glenn Gyorffy (a.k.a. Glenn Five or G5) in January.

Commented ANVIL guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow: "[I] just completed all of the rhythm guitars for the entire CD. Tomorrow I begin singing! Holy shit, this CD is coming out totally amazing top to bottom!! Every song is kicking major ass!!! There is no doubt there is 'Hope In Hell'!!!! #086 over and out... and loving it!!!"

Marlette previously worked with ANVIL on last year's "Juggernaut Of Justice", which was made available as a limited-edition digipak (including two bonus tracks),double gatefold LP in blue vinyl, standard version and a digital download.

On September 24, Steamhammer/SPV re-released three albums from ANVIL, all featuring new booklets containing new liner notes from guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner plus new photos.

"Back To Basics" (2004) and "Still Going Strong" (2002) will be available again as a high-class "2 in 1" double digipak CD, while 2007's "This Is Thirteen" opus will be re-released as a digipak CD, as well as a double gatefold LP, both with an exclusive bonus track.

In an interview with MusicFrenzy.net, Lips stated about the departure of Gyorffy and the addition of Italiano, "It's so much more a relaxed, comfortable feeling on the stage. Sal steps back for me to do the front thing rather than trying to compete with it, or be a distraction to it. It's comfortable — it makes it very comfortable when everybody realizes what it all is and there's no bad vibes, which is… I mean, vibes between the members is everything and the ill feelings that we had around us are gone."

Italiano is a member of the Long Island, New York IRON MAIDEN tribute band LIVE AFTER DEATH and original progressive metal act THE NIGHTMARE STAGE, as well as a former member of the acclaimed '80s heavy metal group CITIES.

Glenn Five joined ANVIL in 1996 and has appeared on seven of the band's albums, including "This Is Thirteen" and the group's latest release, "Juggernaut Of Justice", on which he wrote and sang the song "This Ride".