Pounding the Past Tour: Anvil, Midnight Hellion, and Ramskull - Winnipeg, MB

The aptly named Pounding the Past Tour rolled into Winnipeg's intimate Park Theatre on June 5, 2026, delivering an evening that celebrated classic heavy metal with equal parts nostalgia, energy, and good old-fashioned fun. Featuring Ramskull, Midnite Hellion, and Canadian metal legends Anvil, the night was a reminder that decades-old songs can still hit with remarkable force when performed by musicians who genuinely love what they do.

Ramskull. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Opening the evening, Ramskull wasted little time getting the crowd warmed up. Their five-song set was concise but effective, beginning with the crushing "Sea Demons" before moving into "Escape" and "Hector." The band balanced melody with muscular riffs throughout the set, while "Crawl" slowed things down just enough to let the audience settle into the groove. Closing with "Age of Storms," Ramskull left a strong impression, proving they were more than capable of kicking off a night dedicated to traditional metal. Philadelphia's Midnite Hellion raised the intensity another notch. Opening with "H.M.O.," the band immediately showcased its speed-metal influences. "Cross the Line," "The Fever," and the crowd favourite "Rapscallion" kept the momentum high, while "Speed Demon" lived up to its name with blistering guitar work and relentless drumming.

Midnite Hellion. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

The latter half of their set offered a fun surprise with two well-chosen covers. Their version of Megadeth's "Peace Sells" was faithful while injecting enough of their own style to keep it fresh, and closing with Motörhead's "Orgasmatron" was a fitting tribute that had the audience enthusiastically singing along. It was a confident performance that earned the band plenty of new fans.

When Anvil finally took the stage, it was immediately clear why they remain one of Canada's most enduring heavy metal acts. Opening with the instrumental "March of the Crabs," the band's frontman hopped into the crowd to shred some faces, then they launched into "666" before taking fans on a journey through multiple eras of their career.

Rather than relying solely on their most famous material, Anvil built a setlist that mixed early classics with deeper cuts. Songs like "School Love," "Ooh Baby," and "Bedroom Game" highlighted the band's sense of humour, while heavier numbers including "Mad Dog," "Motormount," "Winged Assassins," and "Forged in Fire" reminded everyone just how influential their riff-driven sound has been.

Three Days Grace. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

One of the evening's biggest talking points came during "Mothra." Guitarist and vocalist Lips once again demonstrated why his stage antics have become legendary by performing part of the guitar solo using a vibrator. It's a stunt fans have come to expect over the years, but seeing it performed live still drew equal parts laughter, amazement, and applause. It perfectly captured Anvil's refusal to take themselves too seriously while remaining completely committed to entertaining their audience.

After the energetic instrumental "Swing Thing" and an impressive drum solo, the band charged into "Jackhammer" before closing the night with the unmistakable metal anthem "Metal on Metal." The final song transformed the Park Theatre into a celebration of classic heavy metal, with fists pumping and voices joining together for every chorus.

The Park Theatre proved to be the perfect venue for the evening. Its intimate atmosphere allowed fans to experience every riff, solo, and drum fill up close, creating the kind of connection between band and audience that larger venues often struggle to match. The enthusiastic Winnipeg crowd rewarded every performer with loud cheers and unwavering energy from the opening note to the final encore.

The Pounding the Past Tour wasn't simply an exercise in nostalgia. Ramskull showed promise, Midnite Hellion delivered one of the strongest support sets imaginable, and Anvil demonstrated that after more than four decades, they still possess the passion, musicianship, and charisma that made them heavy metal pioneers they are today.

The Pounding the Past Tour delivered exactly what fans came for: loud guitars, memorable riffs, outstanding musicianship, and a celebration of heavy metal's enduring spirit. Anyone fortunate enough to witness this stop in Winnipeg left with ringing ears, a smile on their face, and renewed appreciation for one of Canada's most resilient metal bands.