Annihilator are one of thrash metal’s great survivors. Their debut album came out, almost unbelievably in 1989. For Metal, Annihilator main man Jeff Waters has persuaded a whole host of the who’s who of metal to join him on this outing, which, to be fair absolutely does what it says on the tin. This, my friends, is metal as f**k. It’s heavy, loud, full of riffs and ideas and if there was any justice in the world at all (and there isn’t) it would see Annihilator headlining above Trivium in April, not the other way round as is, sadly the case. After living with this CD for a couple of weeks now, I have to report that this is an essential purchase if you even think that you like heavy metal and thrash metal in particular. On this record Annihilator show the world there’s life in the old dog yet and prove that there really is no substitute for good songs. 

The first song is Clown Parade featuring Jeff Loomis of Nevermore; this is one of those evil songs which worms it’s way into your head so that you’re humming it when you’re doing the shopping and more annoyingly, once it’s there, it won’t leave. Couple Suicide opens in an almost emo-stylee before Danko Jones sings the clean bits backed by Angela Gossow’s somewhat frightening interjections. On Army of One with Steve Lips Kidlow, Annihilator place themselves alongside Maiden, Sabbath et al in the pantheon of greats on a quite superb song which really hits the spot despite the slightly trite sentiments expressed during the chorus. 

Downright Dominate is also fabulous with an appearance from Children of Bodom’s Alex Laiho as is Smothered which showcases the talents of Anders Bjørler (The Haunted). For me though, it’s the guitar histrionics on Operation Annihilation featuring Michael Amott from Arch Enemy that provides the album’s high water mark. This track made me metaphorically cream myself the first time I heard it and as a matter a fact has possibly got better every time I’ve heard it since. It is, as you would expect rather good in the guitar department. 

Haunted featuring Jesper Strømblad of In Flames is suitably aggressive and weird in the breakdown but has a lovely melody when the duel guitars pick the song back up and there’s still three minutes left at that point! Kicked, on which Corey Beaulieu of Trivium guests is an outstanding piece of modern thrash metal whilst at less than four minutes Detonation leaves the listener wanting more. 

This excellent CD finishes on yet another, erm, high with Chasing the High and it is the turn of Lamb of God’s William Adler to have a go. This song epitomizes why this album is so good. It’s loud, aggressive yet tuneful, full of attitude and takes no prisoners whatsoever. I have to say that I didn’t exactly have high hopes for Metal when it plopped onto my doormat but I am very pleased to report that this is one of the best albums of the year so far. Highly, highly recommended.

Metal is released on April 16th through SPV

Let us know your views on 'Metal'

Track Listing

Clown Parade
Couple Suicide
Army Of One
Downright Dominate
Smothered
Operation Annihilation
Haunted
Kicked
Detonation
Chasing The High

Line Up

Jeff Waters - Guitar/Bass/Vocals
Mike Mangini - Drums
Dave Padden - Vocals