Annihilator, a band with few spotlights and an undoubtedly successful career, of course, with ups and downs, but mostly with a constant demonstration of how to make quality Thrash Metal. The Canadians, led by guitarist (and sometimes vocalist) Jeff Waters, shone from 1989 with their impactful debut album ‘Alice In Hell,’ which shook bands like Metallica or Anthrax. They continued their success until 1994 with their album ‘King Of The Kill,’ which showcased a more ‘practical’ form of Metal. Since then, their popularity has remained modest, with a small but very loyal fan base.
In 2010, the band released their thirteenth studio album titled ‘Annihilator’, a self-titled record that proposed a statement of principles for the band’s career, honoring their trajectory and even demonstrating that despite recording the album with only three musicians (Jeff Waters on guitar and bass, Dave Padden on guitar and vocals, and Ryan Ahoff on drums), they could sound even better than many commercial bands in the genre.
What can we hear?
A no-nonsense album, high-caliber Thrash Metal. A modern, precise, heavy, and impactful sound, focused on blowing the listener’s mind without aiming to propose anything new, other than a contemporary sound. We hear a Megadeth influence in the intro ‘The Trend,’ a melodic passage that piques curiosity about what lies ahead, sounding like modern metal and showcasing a production that does justice to all the work, led by Jeff Waters, the band’s mastermind.
The invitation to the mosh pit is present through songs featuring fast picking, reminiscent of bands like Exodus or early Metallica, as heard in tracks like ‘Ambush’. ‘Annihilator’ is a work more focused on groove than the technical aspects that made them famous in their early days. This album invites you to feel the band’s power without pretensions.
Without a doubt, we hear Dave Padden’s best work as the vocalist of Annihilator. Years later, he would leave the group due to the demanding tours, currently residing in Canada and playing at venues like The Roxy in Vancouver. In this work, we hear Padden’s powerful voice that can become guttural in songs like ‘Betrayed’ or ’25 seconds’.
The legacy of Jeff Waters in Annihilator
If you’re a guitarist, you’re sure to enjoy this album as we hear a furious Jeff Waters on the verge of setting his guitar on fire with fast solos throughout the entire work, showcasing his technique in all its splendor, as in the intro of ‘The Other Side’ or ‘Death In Your Eyes.’ There’s a clear influence from Rock guitar greats like Eddie Van Halen, to whom they pay homage with the cover ‘Romeo Delight’ by Van Halen, a song with which they close the album in a style very much Annihilator in this work, providing homogeneity.
Jeff Waters is once again in charge of the bass, always present with an equalization that enhances the highs while providing strength, as appreciated in songs like ‘Nowhere to Go’ or ’25 seconds’. The latter is our least favorite due to the unnecessary length of the bass solo passage.
In ‘Annihilator,’ not everything is brutality. The album also features melodic passages that give a refreshing break to the work, adding a memorable touch to the choruses, as in ‘The Other Side’. We highlight the blast beats in Ryan Ahoff’s drumming, a characteristic rhythm of Death Metal that complements Thrash Metal very well when it requires an extra touch of brutality.
The perseverance of Annihilator
This album sounds like perseverance, making music for the love of art regardless of whether the masses approve or decline. Jeff Waters has always made music with love and filled with quality, regardless of the setbacks he has had on albums like ‘Remains’ or ‘Walking The Fury’. We consider Annihilator as an authentic band that has never stopped, with their self-titled album being the culmination of years of effort and brutality.
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