ANNIHILATOR - review added 9th April 2010
Album Review: Annihilator (self-titled) (2010)
For fans of: Speed Metal... and iffy forehead decor
Finally a self-titled album from Annihilator... The band's 13th studio recording to date, this 2010 release see Jeff Waters (guitars and bass) and Dave Padden (vocals) return with session drums from former world speed record holder Mike Mangini.
Jeff Waters rates this as one of the finest albums he has recorded. You know what? We are inclined to agree.
The sound mixes some of the band's older thrashy roots with the more metallic grungy sounds of more recent releases. The result is still nowhere near the speed-punk fury of Alice In Hell but it's definitely on the same playing field as the heavy-commercial fun of Set The World On Fire. This album can hold its head proudly amongst the top portion of Annihilator's back catalogue, even if it still isn't quite a classic.
Song-wise... The retro speed-metal vibe of 'The Trend' - which completely steals the riff from 'Alison Hell' at the 5 minute mark (but we'll let it off) - is cool. '25 Seconds' is damned awesome, easily the best track on the album. 'Nowhere To Go' has several interesting faces. 'The Other Side' is heavy but strangely upbeat and enjoyable. The cover of Van Halen's 'Romeo Delight' is a classy and faithful end to the album. The remaining tracks are all above average, if resolutely unexceptional.
This album really is a powerful hit of thrash. Jeff Waters is in rude form, as are the album's other performers. If you love Annihilator and have been waiting for something really good from them for a long time, this may well appease you. It'll undoubtedly glean the band a lot of new fans too.
Check out... '25 Seconds'.
Track List:
01. The Trend
02. Coward
03. Ambush
04. Betrayed
05. 25 Seconds
06. Nowhere To Go
07. The Other Side
08. Death In Your Eyes
09. Payback
10. Romeo Delight
Label: Earache Records
Artist's website(s): Annihilator , MySpace
