Annihilator was formed in 1985, by guitarist/main-man Jeff Waters in Ottawa, Canada. After a few years of demos and a move to beautiful Vancouver, Canada, Waters secured the bands first record deal and released "Alice In Hell" (1989, through Roadrunner Records). This album became the most successful independent metal debut and quickly launched Annihilator into metal "stardom". After touring Europe and North America, Annihilator was then had the difficult task of coming up with the follow-up. To the surprise of many, 1990's "Never, Neverland" quickly surpassed the sales of the first and cemented these Canadians into the metal hall of fame. And although Jeff & Co. have changed line-ups almost as much as Spïnal Tap have changed drummers, and even though they have released a couple of real stinkers, Annihilator remain an always highly interesting band.

ALICE IN HELL (1989) ROADRUNNER

This album is a milestone. Annihilator took speed metal, blended in a lot of melody and hit a gold mine. Jeff Waters' riffing is in a league of it's own. But in between speed and riffs there are excellent melody-lines as well. Vocalist/alcoholic Randy Rampage raw sound makes this disc a pleasure to listen to again and again. Annihilator falls like a bridge over the gap between speed and thrash metal. This is just one of those discs that should be found in every headbanger's collection!

Killer tracks: Alison Hell, W.T.Y.D.

NEVER, NEVERLAND (1990, 1998) ROADRUNNER

The Canadians return with their second album, filled with speed and melody. Not much have been changed since their debut, and that is a good thing. I love the sound on this album. It's crystal clear, and sharp as a razor, really doin' justice to the incredible work done by our favorite riffer, Jeff Waters. This would sadly become the last album with the classic Annihilator line-up, and classic Annihilator sound. My version is the remastered edition with bonus tracks.

Killer tracks: The Fun Palace, Road To Ruin, Never, Neverland, Phantasmagoria

STONEWALL (1991) ROADRUNNER (EP)

A very short CD-single released to promote 'Never, Neverland'. I bought it to hear the 2 live tracks added, which are excellent. Annihilator also released a single for the title track off the album, with the exact same cover art, and track list as this one (obviously omitting 'Stonewall' and adding 'Never, Neverland' instead, both the song and the title on the cover).

SET THE WORLD ON FIRE (1993) ROADRUNNER (Digipak)

I know I step on some toes when I say that this is my favorite Annihilator album. But remember that's my taste. I just think that Annihilator suit this melodic power metal style. Not one song is bad, and the songwriter in Jeff shines through in every way. Listen to "Phoenix Rising" and tell me that the man's playing isn't superb. New vocalist, Aaron Randall, does a great job, and I do not miss the alcoholic, Randy Rampage, one bit. I wish they had stayed this way. A truly underrated album indeed. I have obtained the digipak edition, which also includes the Judas Priest cover, "Hell Bent For Leather".

Killer tracks: Bats In The Belfry, Phoenix Rising, Sounds Good To Me, Brain Dance

BAG OF TRICKS (1994) ROADRUNNER

Alison Hell (Remastered) Phantasmagoria (Demo) Back To The Crypt Gallery Human Insecticide (Live) The Fun Palace (Extended mix) W.T.Y.D. (Live) World Salad (Live) Live Wire (Live) Knight Jumps Queen (Demo) Fantastic Things Bats In The Belfry (Demo) Evil Appetite Gallery '86 Alison Hell '86 Phantasmagoria '86

Instead of your average best of album, Annihilator released this, well...eh...Bag Of Tricks. Demos, rehearsal versions, live & unreleased tracks etc. A fun disc, but I never listen to the whole thing in one go. I just listen to some tracks, and then put on 'Set The World On Fire' instead. "Live Wire" is an AC/DC cover.

KING OF THE KILL (1994) MUSIC FOR NATIONS

'King Of The Kill' is Jeff's first solo Annihilator disc. It's not really a band anymore, as Jeff does almost everything but the drumming himself. It's not as bad an album as some of those Jeff would release later. But it's far from his best work also. There are just no outstanding tunes on it. I really dig the artwork on this one.

Killer tracks: 21, In The Blood

REFRESH THE DEMON (1996) MUSIC FOR NATIONS (Digpak)

This is one of the worst Annihilator albums. The songs sounds the same, and nothing reminds me of the greatness of 'Alice In Hell' or 'Set The World On Fire'. Jeff is even ripping himself off here and there. Jeff is doing almost everything himself again (except for the drumming of course). Annihilator are no longer a band. Only 'Remains' is a worse Annihilator album. I have the digipak version of this CD.

Killer tracks: The Pastor Of Disaster

IN COMMAND (LIVE 1989-1990) (1996) ROADRUNNER

Annihilator's first live offering was, as far as I can tell, released to fulfill contractual agreements. The CD contains songs from 2 concerts, recorded close to a year apart, and as far back as 7 years prior to this release. But what makes this offering interesting is that you get the bands first 2 vocalists singing some of the same songs. Tracks 1 to 5 were recorded just months after the release of their debut album, 'Alice In Hell'. Randy Rampage is singing here, of course. Tracks 6-14, recorded 3 months after their second album, 'Never, Neverland', are with Coburn Pharr behind the microphone. And I have to say, it's a little uncanny how similar these 2 guys sound. Both sound way grittier live than on the studio efforts, and both can pull of that insane falsetto-to-near-growl in "Alison Hell". But in my opinion, Coburn actually pulls it off the best. The band sounds really tight, and this album lets you hear what a fantastic guitarist Jeff really is! Whatever he does in the studio, he is also capable of playing live. I wish I could have seen the band back then.

REMAINS (1997, 2000) CMC INTERNATIONAL/BMG

Annihilator was no longer a band in time for the recording of the 6th studio album. Entitled 'Remains', this album features Jeff Waters in all roles. You know something is not right when one of the speed/thrash metal giants has to resort to drum programming on an entire album.

'Remains' is considered the absolute low point of the Annihilator catalogue, and rightfully so. Jeff was always the primus motor of the band, and the only constant member. But he always needed competent sidekicks to perform the wonderful music he created. Sure, he played most instruments on many of the bands other albums as well, but on the really good ones he didn't sing and play drums also. And all other Annihilator titles did feature at least a handful of good songs. 'Remains' does no such thing. The programmed drums sounds very fake, and gets annoying, FAST! The songwriting is so bad, one has to wonder what the heck was going on in Jeff's head at the time. This can't be the same man that gave us "Alice In Hell" or "Never, Neverland"? 'Remains' manages to go from bad to worse and beyond. Only the opening track is somewhat listenable.

Many of the thrash metal greats adopted a more groove-laden style during the '90's, as the musical climate changed worldwide. Annihilator gradually did the same with 'King Of The Kill' and 'Refresh The Demon'. On 'Remains' Jeff continues down that same road, and adds a sterile, industrial edge, probably inspired by the then so popular Marilyn Manson, Rammstein and other Trent Reznor produced bands. The result is dreadful, and by far the worst Annihilator album.

I own the US reissue of this album. It comes with 2 bonus tracks. "It's You" is an acoustic ballad that sounds like remains (sic) from "Set The World On Fire". And it is perhaps the albums finest moment! The last track is a spoken part from Jeff Waters, commenting on the album.

Killer tracks: Murder, It's You

CRITERIA FOR A BLACK WIDOW (1999, 2000) CMC INTERNATIONAL/BMG

After releasing some very disappointing albums, Jeff gets the idea of a "reunion" thing. Recruiting original vocalist Randy Rampage, and drummer Ray Hartmann, and also getting 'Alice In Hell' co-lyricist, John Bates, on the team, Annihilator set off to record their 9th studio-album. The result is a mixed affair. I like most of the songs, but there is no band-feeling here. I've never been a fan of instrumentals either, but it's fun to hear the "Schizos (Are Never Alone)" theme once more. The track "Back To The Palace" is a continuation of the 'Never Neverland' tune, "Fun Palace", and it's the best track on here. The album is a much more "back-to-the-roots" effort, and is reminiscent of Annihilator's first 2 albums. Just listen to the great lengths Jeff have gone to try to recreate the guitar-sound from those 2 albums. He is also clearly paying homage to Slayer here.

I own the American reissue of 'Criteria For A Black Widow. The last 2 tracks are exclusive to the American version.

Killer tracks: Bloodbath, Back To The Palace, Loving Sinner

CARNIVAL DIABLOS (2001) SPV/STEAMHAMMER

The reunion line-up didn't work out long for the band. The album was good, but (a) certain band-member(s) couldn't hold it together. So, when Randy Rampage threatened to kill Jeff Waters during the following tour, Annihilator found themselves sans singer once again. But Jeff looked no further then to the band they toured with, and snagged Overkill's guitarist, and former Liege Lord vocalist, Joe Comeau to be his band's next singer.

And what a find this is!! This dude is all metal! Mind you, he is not the obvious choice for Annihilator, as he has an abrasive singing style that gets a tad monotonous. Stil, on 'Carnival Diablos' he is the perfect fit, as Jeff seems to have re-kindled the fury. To me this album sounds like a homage to Jeff's favorite bands. Here and there I hear parts that remind me of Slayer, Megadeth, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. But first and foremost, this is a good Annihilator platter! The instrumental number here reminds me of my beloved 'Set The World On Fire'. Too bad he didn't put words to it! "Chicken & Corn" is a hidden track, that appears at the end of track 11.

My version of 'Carnival Diablos' came with an extra inserted cover. It's a close-up of the original art, put there to cover up the whole cover-art on the original. Maybe the record company was afraid that the record-stores wouldn't put the CD on their shelves, because of the somewhat bloody cover?

Killer tracks: Carnival Diablos, Shallow Grave, Epic Of War

WAKING THE FURY (2002) SPV/STEAMHAMMER

The ever evolving line-up door in Annihilator has once again sent off two members. On and off, but still long time members, Ray Hartmann and Dave Davis are replaced by Randy Black and Curran Murphy. The new line-up records 'Waking The Fury', the bands 9th studio album.

This album follows the same aggressive and speedy paths of it's closest predecessor. It's an angry Annihilator we hear on 'Waking The Fury', and with Joe Comeau still on vocals, this suits the bands music well. 'Carnival Diablos' showed that Jeff had found the ignition again, and on 'Waking The Fury' all the engines are fired up! This is simply put one of the best Annihilator albums, ever! It combines the melodies of the earlier albums with the aggression of the latter. And the sheer speed that only Jeff can showcase is of course also present. So, when the songs are as accessible as they appear here, then we have a winning combination. 'Waking The Fury' is a crushing affair, that'll have any long-standing fan grinning from ear to ear.

The only downside to this album is Jeff's choice of guitar tone. His ultra fuzzy guitars gives the music a machine-like, futuristic, electronica sheen that is hopefully not intended, and certainly not needed at all. Still, this is easily overlooked when the overall production leaves a dominating imprint. And all you are left with is a modern metal masterpiece.

Killer tracks: Ultra-Motion, Torn, Striker, Prime-Time Killing, Nothing To Me, Cold Blooded

DOUBLE LIVE ANNIHILATION (2003) AFM (2CD Digibook)

Recorded during the "Fury In Europe Tour" of 2002, this double live album includes songs that evolves around the Joe Comeau years of the band. We do get songs from the band entire career though. The band sounds tight, and especially Randy Black's precise drumming sticks out as very impressive. Joe has a gruff voice that fits the music well. And we all know how lightning fast Jeff Waters is! 'Double Live Annihilation' might not go down in metal history on par with Iron Maiden's 'Live After Death' or Iced Earth's 'Alive In Athens', but it is still a fine document on where the band was musically in 2003. I particularly like the second disc a lot better than the first. I sort of partial towards the first 3 albums by this band, so that is probably why I prefer that disc. Unfortunately this was the last album we got to hear Joe Comeau with Annihilator, and Jeff was once again facing internal troubles in his ranks. The man seems unstoppable though, so already the next year we saw a new line-up carrying the bands legacy further. My digibook version has a bonus video and some other multimedia features.

ALL FOR YOU & THE ONE (2004) AFM/CD-MAXIMUM (Digipak)

As usual, a new album by Annihilator means a new crowd of band members! What is it with this Canadian dude that makes him so impossible to work with? This time he brings with him his new found singer, the young Dave Padden, plus the drum monster Mike Mangini. Jeff has gone more melodic in his approach this time, and that is something I for one (and only?) welcome. Dave sings really great, mixing aggressive and melodic styles, and even a hint of "modern" metal on the title-track. He sounds like a cross between Coburn Pharr and Aaron Randall. 'All For You' also shows some return to the more speedier songs. Just check out "Both Of Me" and "Dr. Psycho". Just classic Annihilator! And add to that the beautiful ballads 'The One' and the soul-wrenching 'Holding On' (the latter sung by Jeff himself, delivering the vocal performance of his lifetime!), plus some obvious Slayer homage in 'Rage Absolute' and 'Demon Dance', and you've got a great album. Now if he could only get himself a steady line-up, and get his booty over to Norway so I could catch the band live for once....... I bought the Russian digipak version of the album, which also contains the EP 'The One'. This is a cool package, wrapped up in a cardboard slipcase with the artwork above. When you take the digipak out, it folds out, and the artwork for both the album and the EP appears. Fold it out again, and the 2 CD's are held by some fold out cardboard "ears". I've never seen anything like it before, but it is really cool! The EP contains a really speedy non-album track, entitled "Weapon X", a great track indeed. But the best thing about the EP is the multimedia part. Here we get 3 live clips from the Earthshaker Festival 2003. And for any skeptics towards Dave Padden, listen to the man sing "Never, Neverland" and "Alison Hell"! That is a solid performance in my book! The 'All For You' album also contains lots of multimedia footage.

Killer tracks: All For You, Dr. Psycho, The One, Both Of Me, Rage Absolute, Holding On

SCHIZO DELUXE (2005) AFM (Digipak)

'Schizo Deluxe', besides sporting awesome cover art, delivers more of what 'All For You' had to offer. But this time Jeff and company have concentrated more on the speedier side. Call it return to the roots if you want, but this album also contains a more modern sound. To me this sounds like all the other Annihilator albums rolled into one. I'm not sure I like this as much as I did the previous one. Sure, all of the songs are enjoyable in their own rights, but as a whole, this album doesn't give me the thrills that I had hoped. I'm sure glad Jeff is still around with his Annihilator though. Let's just hope that he can put together a steady band, both to record with, and to tour with.

Killer tracks: All are enjoyable, but non of them really stick out.

METAL (2005) SPV/STEAMHAMMER (Limited Edition Digipak w/bonus disc)

Man, this one was was hard to get into! I listened to it over and over and over again, but couldn't get very excited by most of the songs on this album. The only 2 that did something for me did so because they reminded me of other songs (try to sing the lyrics for "Set The World On Fire" whilst playing "Operation Annihilation" for example). So I was just about to give this album a rather lukewarm write-up, but decided to spin it one more time while writing. And what do you know, the album opened up to me! Suddenly I found my head banging along to the music, and I almost had to bring out that ol' air guitar here and there! Musically there is nothing new from Jeff Waters on 'Metal' (save for all the guests that is), but what he does deliver, he does with conviction. The man is one of the most underrated metal guitarists out there, and it is really a blessing for us fans that he is still here to deliver his brand of speed/thrash METAL. I know he's been on the verge of putting the band down on numerous occasions, but as he is telling us in songs like "Army Of One" and "Operation Annihilation", he is still here because he loves the fans and the music he is playing. This is his life! Now, about all the guests appearing on this album, it's a cool curiosa I suppose. But I'd be hard pressed to even notice them if they didn't have their name in the credits. What does Jeff Waters need a bunch of other guitar-players on his album for? He's better than 90% of them anyway! 'Metal' can be described as a blend everything we know from Annihilator, present and past, rolled into one CD. Most of the tracks are speedy metal romps, but Jeff also keeps it dynamic with some melodies throughout. So screw all the critics, Annihilator is a metal force to be reckoned with! This limited edition comes with a bonus compilation disc. It's probably put there to plug the other titles released by SPV, as there is nothing here from the albums RoadRunner released.

Killer tracks: They are all pretty solid

ANNIHILATOR (2010) EARACHE RECORDS

Annihilator decided to release a self titled album for their 13th studio release. Apparently this was done because Jeff felt this was like a new start for the band, with yet another "line-up", and a new record label.

Initial reviews stated that this album was a return to form. Well, I for one have really liked the last Annihilator albums. And where others have said that Dave's singing style is ruining this band, I've never considered him an asset to the band. So I was really pumped to hear 'Annihilator'. The let down was inevitable. Musically this is a showcase in Jeff's guitar-wizardry more than his songwriting skills. A sticker on the front of the album claims there are 66 solos on this record! And if you add 5 riffs and 3 lick per solo, you soon understand there aren't much space left to breathe here! The speed is relentless and never-ending. And while I applaud Jeff's playing, probably his best work ever, it doesn't help at all when I can't remember a darn note when the album ends. There is no dynamics, little-to-no variation in style or pace, and sadly, no real highlights. And from being one that actually liked Dave's vocals in the past, here I find him uninspiring. Now I actually understand all the criticism towards him as being too one dimensional and modern sounding.

'Annihilator' is not all bad though. In fact, it seems to be a grower. One just have to let the songs sink in deep enough to tell them apart first. Then it gets borderline addictive. I've also mentioned the breathtaking, neck breaking playing by Jeff. This truly is the man's magnum opus, guitar-playing wise. And even a mediocre Annihilator is ten times better then most of the new thrash metal acts, riding the trend (pun intended). Kudos for keeping the Annihilator name alive (even though the line-up on the album is already history, and new members have been added to tour). I just hope for more variation, and even stronger songs on the next album.

The album ends with a cover of Van Halen's "Romeo Delight".

Killer tracks: The Trend, Coward, Betrayed, Nowhere To Go, Death In Your Eyes

Jeff Waters guest appearances:

Cans - 'Beyond The Gates' (as writer)

Joe Comeau guest appearances:

Seven Witches - 'Xiled To Infinity And One'

Frost - 'Raise The Fist Of Metal'

Related artists:

Overkill, Primal Fear, Nevermore, Fires Of Babylon