Five quit in 2012 after 15 years and later described Reiner and frontman Lips Hudlow as "grumpy old men" who made him feel expendable despite his long-term loyalty.

The drummer recently told Geeks Of Doom that Anvil were much happier with new member Sal Italiano, and said of the lineup change: "There was no real transition; we had cancer surgery and we were saved."

Now Five says: "What Mr Reiner doesn't realise is that he isn't insulting me – he's insulting the thousands of fans, hundreds of peers, and dozens of close friends of Anvil who, over the years, have told me they loved my contribution to the band.