ANVIL Announces 'Pounding The Past 2026' North American Tour

Canadian metal legends ANVIL to perform fan-favorite tracks on 40-date trek with MIDNITE HELLION

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:14pm

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A striking, abstract composition of jagged, geometric shapes in bold red and black, representing the heavy metal music and legacy of the band ANVIL.ANVIL's 'Pounding The Past 2026' tour celebrates the band's enduring influence on the metal genre, with a bold, graphic visual style that captures the raw energy and resilience of their music.Toledo Today

ANVIL, the iconic Canadian metal band, is gearing up for a highly anticipated North American tour in June 2026 titled 'Pounding The Past 2026'. The 40-date trek will see the band performing classic tracks from their early releases, including 'Hard 'N' Heavy', 'Metal On Metal', and 'Forged In Fire', along with other fan favorites. MIDNITE HELLION will provide support on the tour, which kicks off on June 3 in Rochester, New York and concludes on July 11 in Toledo, Ohio.

Why it matters

ANVIL's journey in the music industry has been one of perseverance and resilience, as the band never quite achieved the mainstream success they deserved despite being ahead of their time. This tour celebrates ANVIL's enduring legacy and their influence on the metal genre, which inspired a generation of bands like METALLICA, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX to achieve massive success.

The details

The 'Pounding The Past 2026' tour comes on the heels of ANVIL's 20th studio album, 'One And Only', released in June 2024. The album was recorded with longtime producer Martin 'Mattes' Pfeiffer and Jörg Uken at Uken's Soundlodge studios in Germany. ANVIL's guitarist and vocalist, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, has attributed the band's lack of mainstream success to a combination of poor management, shady record labels, and bad luck, as they were one of the first metal bands to play in America when the genre was still in its infancy.

  • The 'Pounding The Past 2026' tour will kick off on June 3, 2026 in Rochester, New York.
  • The tour will conclude on July 11, 2026 in Toledo, Ohio.

The players

ANVIL

A Canadian metal band that has been a pioneering force in the genre, influencing many of the most successful metal acts of the modern era.

Steve 'Lips' Kudlow

The guitarist and vocalist of ANVIL, who has been with the band since its inception and has attributed their lack of mainstream success to various industry challenges.

MIDNITE HELLION

The support act for ANVIL's 'Pounding The Past 2026' tour, providing additional heavy metal energy to the proceedings.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

ANVIL's 'Pounding The Past 2026' tour is a celebration of the band's rich history and their enduring impact on the metal genre. It's a chance for fans to experience the raw, unfiltered energy that has defined ANVIL's live performances and to witness the band's resilience in the face of industry challenges. The tour's support act, MIDNITE HELLION, adds to the excitement, promising a night of heavy metal excellence that will leave a lasting impression on attendees.