Anvil: (Toronto, Canada)

If you were to look up the word "perseverance" in the almighty handbook of heavy metal, there may very well be a photo of Canadian metalists, Anvil. Since their 1981 debut, Hard N' Heavy, the group - which was co-founded by singer/guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner - has been listed by many as one of the creators of the thrash/speed metal genre (especially on such Chris Tsangarides-produced classics as 1982's Metal On Metal and 1983's Forged In Fire). But due to subsequent bad record deals, bad management, and just plain bad luck, Anvil appeared to take a back seat to a new wave of metal bands - most of which listed the group as a prime influence. However, Anvil has never stopped rocking, and with the arrival of the critically-acclaimed/surprise hit film, Anvil! The Story of Anvil (directed by Sacha Gervasi), the group is back where they belong - at the forefront of heavy metal.