Band: Annihilator
Album title: Annihilator
Label: Earache Records
Distributor: Rough Trade Benelux.
Release date: 17/04/2010
Release: CD

Annihilator is a Canadian Metal band that was formed in 1984 by the leader and only permanent member, front man Jeff Waters. Jeff joined forces with singer John Bates. Waters and Bates then recruited Paul Malek (drums) and Dave Scott (bass). This lineup lasted two years and the tracks written in this period made up a good part of the band’s first two albums including the well-known “Alice In Hell” that still scores very high in the metal community to this date.
11 albums and various line up changes later, the band is still popular and on demand and so a new 12th album couldn’t wait any longer. This self-titled album is just amazing. Sound wise, musicianship, atmosphere,… you name it, it has it all in high quality.
Although it sounds new, it still has those typical elements from back in the days of “Alice in Hell” and hardcore fans will recognize some notes from that album giving it a unique, authentic, refreshing and fantastic feel. The music is well balanced between, shred, melodic, hard and softer parts. And if you want to hear Jeff shred, you can’t go wrong with this album where he has a total of 66 lead solos.

93/100

Jeroen.