This year's breakout documentary, 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil,' was such a great film because it made people care about a relatively obscure band that many had never even heard of before the movie. But as well-done as it was, the film only tells part of the story. Since its release, Anvil have become more popular than they ever could have dreamed, and one of the benefits of their newfound fame brought them to New York's Hard Rock Cafe for the taping of the season three premiere of VH1 Classic's 'That Metal Show.'

'That Metal Show' is a bit of an underdog story, too. The program airs on VH1 Classic, a station not known for its original programming. Its host is Eddie Trunk, an 'average joe metalhead' DJ in his 40s whose enthusiasm for '70s and '80s metal stands out in contrast to fit, tanned talking heads that have no opinion other than what their teleprompters tell them. Trunk, along with comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson, keep the show informal and casual, and VH1 Classic's decision to extend its run says something about its popularity. And even critics are taking notice -- Rolling Stone magazine recently called the show one of the '50 Greatest Reasons to Watch TV.'

If there's ever an 'Anvil! The Sequel to Anvil,' there's plenty of fodder for it, as singer/guitarist Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, drummer Robb Reiner and bassist Glenn Five told 'That Metal Show.' Since the movie was released, the band has played some stadium dates opening for AC/DC in America, been inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and have been joined on stage by Down's Phil Anselmo at the Download Festival. Both 'That Metal Show' and Anvil were at Download, which led to a highlight of the taping.

As Trunk was interviewing the Canadian trio at the festival, huge Anvil fan Anselmo commandeered the microphone, conducting his own interview. Watching the playback of the interview at the taping, all three members had big goofy grins on their face, as if they couldn't believe it was happening to them. The movie's director, screenwriter Sacha Gervasi ('The Terminal') was also interviewed. An Anvil uberfan that became their roadie from 1982-85, he was inspired to film the band after reuniting with them for the first time in 20 years. "At the beginning of the weekend, I thought 'these guys are out of their mind,'" he told Trunk. "At the end, I thought, 'These guys really are going to make it.'" Six weeks later, he was filming the documentary.

The hour-long season premiere also featured a short set from the band. The album was heavy on songs from 'Metal On Metal,' the 1982 album that set them up to be a breakthrough artist. Little did they know it would take them 27 years to do so. 'With Anvil! The Story of Anvil' on DVD, their album This Is Thirteen out now on VH1 Classic Records, and the premiere of 'That Metal Show' this Saturday, Anvil's time has truly arrived.

'That Metal Show' premieres Oct. 3 at 11:30 PM EST on VH1 Classic. It will be preceded by the TV premiere of Anvil! The Story of Anvil, at 10pm EST. That Metal Show will settle into its regular time slot, Saturdays at 11pm EST, the following week. Future guests for the 8-episode series will include Ratt, Alice Cooper, Sebastian Bach, Blackie Lawless, Chickenfoot, Chris Jericho, Rob Halford, Steve Vai and Slayer, among others.

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