ANNIHILATOR – Self Titled CD
Earache Records
It’s been twenty one years since this Canadian Thrash legend released their phenomenal debut, Alice in Hell. Even though that release is a staple of any headbanger’s 1980’s Thrash record collection, since then ANNIHILATOR has never really matched it. When the first Thrash era took a dirt nap ANNIHILATOR progressed with the times and changed directions. Obviously that wasn’t pleasing to their original fans and it also didn’t get them any new ones. Add to that they’ve had a revolving door of band membership with founding member Jeff Waters left keeping their flame alive. So now Jeff Waters is back trying to rekindle that Thrash attack with new vocalist Dave Padden (Silent Strain) and some session musicians. If opener “The Trend” is an indication of Waters’ attitude then he’s pissed.
An old Thrash band comes back with a new release and the opening song is an attack on the new Thrash revival. There’s even the line, “Hey man I think they’re having a sale down at Hot Topic lets go”. Waters must not have noticed but there are a few of those Thrash revival bands he’s mad about on his new label’s roster. But still it’s a good song as are many on here. Jeff Waters is still a riff master and his lead work is still impressive as hell. Padden is a decent enough vocalist with perfect chops and screams for this style of metal. Things do get somewhat funky on “28 Seconds”, melodic pop metal on “Nowhere to Go” and the choice of the cover song to close this thing, “Romeo Delight” by VAN HALEN seems out of place. But everything else makes this a worthy comeback to the halls of Thrash.
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