In the early '80s, the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil made an impact on the developing speed metal scene. Their first three albums featured some mind-boggling technically advanced metal at a previously unheard-of speed - sound for the sake of sound, not songs. After releasing their third album in 1983, the band sank into a mire of legal and creative problems where their accomplishments and popularity were eclipsed by the bands that defined speed and thrash metal - Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth - among other lesser-knowns who were all in debt to Anvil's previous work. After two marginally successful comeback albums in 1987 and 1988, guitarist Dave Allison left and the band effectively quit recording.
