- advertisement -

ANNIHILATOR
Metal II
earMusic

I have been on a big Thrash Metal (or ‘Trash Metal’ as it was also known) kick as of late. From and all the way to Germany and back, it’s one of my top favorite genres in Metal for a variety of reasons. Canada is definitely represented in Thrash Metal with many bands to name and ANNIHILATOR is another old name from the past that is making itself relevant. Hugely underrated in my opinion, ANNIHILATOR have had a unique approach to their style from going to traditional heavy metal, straight up Speed Metal to ballads and some progressive-like jazz influences spread out through their music. Since the mid-80’s with 17 studio records and numerous live CDs and various other offerings, they have made a statement with their music for over 30 years. Now with a new contract with earMUSIC, ANNIHILATOR will be releasing a large discography starting with a remix, remastered and re-recorded version of the All-Star release from 2007 Metal cleverly re-titled Metal II.

This early Steamhammer (Records) release was loaded to the brim with some awesome Metal names. Each track worth noting, the album features Will Adler of LAMB OF GOD, “Lips” Kudlow of ANVIL, Danko Jones, Angela Glassow (excuse me while my heart skips a beat!) formerly of ARCH ENEMY, former founding member of both IN FLAMES and HAMMERFALL, Jesper Strömblad, former NEVERMORE shredder Jeff Loomis (now of ARCH ENEMY), Anders Björler of AT THE GATES and THE HAUNTED, and Corey Beaulieu of TRIVIUM. But wait, there’s more!

As part of founding member Jeff Water’s master plan for ANNIHILATOR to release much of their previous unreleased material through earMUSIC, Metal II features a song only previously available on the Japanese release of Metal, the cover track “Heavy Metal Maniac” by Canada’s EXCITER and featuring EXCITER members Dan Beehler and Allan Johnson. Paying tribute to 2 of Rock and Metal’s recently departed icons Eddie Van Halen and Alexi Laiho, a cover off VH’s 1980 album Women And Children First with “Romeo’s Delight” and original guitar shredding from Laiho on “Downright Dominate” that was originally on Metal – really brings it home and touches a nerve.

If all this alone doesn’t twitch your d!ck/cl!t, then I don’t know what else to tell you other than “F*ck off!” A great upgraded version from the original that also featured another sick drummer, Mike Mangini, now of DREAM THEATER (who, inconsistently was on a variety of releases from 2003 – 2014), Metal II features slaytanic sick drummer extraordinaire Dave f’n Lombardo on drums, plus Stu Block of INTO ETERNITY contributing vocals as well. With remix and remastering handed over to legendary engineer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, VAN HALEN) and Maor Appelbaum (respectively), you have to give this one a listen and put it on repeat because it is a fun album to listen to with all the amazing talent on display.

If and when Canada unleashes its version of a “Big Four”, ANNIHILATOR HAVE to be included in the conversation. To go over 3 decades under the radar to many, this re-release will continue to add to the blitzkrieg resurgence of TRUE extreme Metal from old school thrash legends (and many Death and Black Metal bands, if you haven’t noticed or kept up with my previous reviews). ANNIHILATOR covered many corners of Metal as it was progressing into many directions back in the day and have done so quite well. Metal II demonstrates that Jeff Waters has much more to give. With the new earMUSIC deal in place to re-release so much prior music over a lengthy period of time, we’ll have much to look forward to.

5.0 Out Of 5.0