Anvil have undergone a lineup change, but the trio is still rocking strong. The group, which features singer Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner along with new bassist Sal Italiano, recently completed work on their 'Hope in Hell' disc and Blabbermouth reports the band will release it through SPV/Steamhammer May 27 in Europe and May 24 in Germany, though an official U.S. street date has not been revealed.

Though the group has made a transition on bass, they definitely seem happy with the end result. Kudlow says, "We're really happy with Sal. His style is powerful and amazingly imaginative. It's a little as if we'd enlisted Steve Harris."

The band recorded the disc following their 18-month tour in support of the 'Juggernaut of Justice' album and Kudlow says it was an inspiring experience that energized him once they hit the studio. "Time just flew by," says the singer. "I could hardly believe it when I found myself in the studio again after the tour, ready to work on the next album. The reactions to 'Juggernaut of Justice' and the shows had been so positive that we had plenty of ideas and inspiration for new material."

The band recorded the album in North Hollywood, Calif. with producer Bob Marlette and the disc will arrive in four different formats. Fans can get the traditional CD, a limited-edition digipak with two bonus cuts, a double gatefold colored vinyl LP or a digital download.

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