• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

November 2024

• Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
• Lionville: Supernatural
• Starchaser: Into The Great Unkown
• Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time
• Lonerider: Down In The Dust
• Seventh Crystal: Entity
• Neal Morse & The Resonance: No Hill For A Climber
• Beardfish: Songs For Beating Hearts
• Impellitteri: War Machine
• Brothers Of Metal: Fimbulvinter

October 2024

• Casandra's Crossing: Garden Of Earthly Delights
• DGM: Endless
• Daytona: Garder la Flamme
• Fate: Reconnect 'N Ignite
• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive: Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

[ More Music Reviews ]

Annihilator: Annihilator

Heavy/Thrash/Speed Metal

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Earache Records
www.myspace.com/annihilatorofficial
www.annihilatormetal.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  06.07.2010

If you've ever wondered what thrash metal sounded like in the early days of its rise to fame, and before it was comprimised by hardcore, then listen to the new, self-titled, Annihilator album. Before Metallica succumbed (supposedly) to commercialism and Megadeth was overshadowed by the same, this was the true sound of thrash metal circa 1989. Sole remaining member, and founder, Jeff Waters delivers the goods: true intense thrash metal in overdrive and knobs to 12. This is the real deal.

Although you may not think so when listening to the first two minutes of opener, The Trend, which sounds like trad melodic metal until it rips into, holy sh*t, classic thrash. Good stuff. And this good stuff continues, with some interesting twists along the way. For instance, while the undercurrent is classic thrash, 25 Seconds borrows or imitates current trends with harsher vocals and a punishing hardcore verve. But unlike modern trends, melody remains and massive fiery guitar work ensues. It's a big FY to current trends. Then listen to that bass line. A freakin' amazing song. Let's hear Lamb of God or some such other band pull this off. I don't think so. It gets better. Nowhere to Go blends some classic melodic heavier metal with speed. Romeo Delight maybe the closest example of Van Halen doing thrash, very cool.

It may be 20 years, but Jeff Waters and Annihilator are more relevant, and creative, than ever. This self-titled 13th album is definitely better than the misnamed Metal of 2007, and more akin to the vital Alice in Hell. I'm hoping for more. Very recommended!

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

It may be 20 years, but Jeff Waters and Annihilator are more relevant, and creative, than ever. This self-titled 13th album is definitely better than the misnamed Metal of 2007, and more akin to the vital Alice in Hell. I'm hoping for more. Very recommended!

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]