ALBUM REVIEW: Annihilator's 16th release For The Demented may be their best yet

ANYONE who witnessed Annihilator at Bloodstock 2017 knows what a special (and humourous) band they are. But while all fans harken back to the days of 'Alice in Hell' and 'Never, Neverland' there has been a development in what Waters and co have delivered.

Everyone expects a high standard from Annihilator, but with the November 3rd release of 'For The Demented' they have taken the bar, stuck it up the ass of any doubters higher than anyone could expect.

In one sense this is an album that harkens back to the so-called glory days: but in another sense feels fresher, vibrant an alive.

Sure, the hats are tipped to the 'classic' Annihilator style, and their familiar influences touchstones (one direct word lift from 'Tallica - spot it youself!) but this is a collection of 10 tracks that deserve to be savoured.

From the headlong race of opener 'Twisted Lobotomy' to the weird jazz shit on closer 'Not All There' this is a release to revel in.

But those expecting the classic thrash themes it is also a collection to delve much deeper into, in terms of the music and lyrics.

Waters has confessed that he has moved from his insular writing process - when we interviewed him a few years back he talked about sitting with software listening to drum sounds to get what he wanted. Taken away from the self-imposed confines and having bassist Rich Hinks Annihilator have risen to another level.

Sure, the melodic shredding on the likes of  'One For The Kill' and 'Altering the Altar' - as well on every song - is exemplary, but it feels like it is better balanced out within the arrangements.

The title tracks is a perfect example of this, from its brooding introduction to an almost atonal riff and deliberately forced melodies it pushes thrash to its musical limits, but still has moments that stun.

For those of a certain vintage 'Pieces Of You' would sit as the last track on side one of some vinyl  Metallica releases, but takes that 'model' and develops it with soulful playing overlaid with dark. cannibalistic lyrics (apparently mayonnaise, pepper and a little salt work well...)

And, here within lies the secret of why Annihialtor stand above many - their dark Canuck humour and adaptability sees them above many pretenders. They are the genuine article.

'The Demon You Know' out-Musataines Mustaine's Peace Sells with a knowing nod and a twisted smile.

Many will comment that this is a little derivative, but sit them down - fuck it tie them down - and make them listen to 'For The Demented' until they 'get it'.

What Annihilator have produced is a unique product, something that gives thrash (and indeed NWOBHM fans) a glimpse into the  days when music excited, and brings a collection of songs that still feel fresh.

Waters has achieved much on this - and by the Lord Baphomet there are so-called hard rock/sleaze bands that would sell their soul, clothes and drugs to have written and recorded 'The Way'.

Does all this seem to effusive? Frankly we don't care, because this is the real deal in terms of a metal record - no flummery, no fancy OTT shit and a deep lyrical thematic.

We perhaps could have done without the atmospheric instrumental 'The Dark' this is an otherwise flawless Annihilator release.

And, even before we hear these songs live the hairs on the back of our necks are standing rigid in anticipation.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

For The Demented is released on November 3rd on Neverland Music Inc

NEWS: Annihilator set to release 16th studio album, For The Demented' in November

SOMETIMES a news piece lands in the inbox and you know one member of the team will be as excited as a puppy chasing his tail. Well when the press release below landed we knew we had to post it for a certain photographer...

Here's the release:

Since 1989, Canada’s ANNIHILATOR have not stopped putting out records and touring the world.  Despite the ever-changing climate of the Metal World (and releasing a series of “different” Metal records with various lineups along the way), Jeff Waters and company have consistently delivered strong albums since the band’s debut “Alice In Hell”.

Then there was 1990’s best-selling “Never, Neverland”,  1995’s “King of The Kill”, “Schizo Deluxe” in 2005 and many other critically-acclaimed releases up until 2015’s “Suicide Society.” The ‘under-the-radar’ influence of this band, and writer/guitarist/vocalist Jeff Waters, has been felt throughout the entire realm of the metal world by a ton of well-known musicians and bands; that influence even stretching into the hard rock and instrumentalist genre.

ANNIHILATOR’s main man Jeff Waters, in his usual humble manner, offers this in response:

“ANNIHILATOR’s music has been influenced by a good hundred of my favorite bands and musicians; you can hear their contributions to what I have been doing all throughout ANNIHILATOR’s catalogue. It’s a bonus and an honor when bands and musicians I love mention that I had something to do with their playing or songs!”
 Which all leads to the fact that ANNIHILATOR’S 16th studio release, “For The Demented”, is certainly their most complete and definitive statement yet.

“It was time to analyze what a lot of fans over the years have kept telling me,” says Waters. “It was time to sit down and figure out “why” ANNIHILATOR’s early “thrash-meets-melodic” caught the ears of so many AND to try to sweep the “fan” part of my writing/playing/singing out the door and welcome back the mostly-original Waters writing that was to be the first four ANNIHILATOR albums.”

Waters didn’t venture back alone, while looking back through ANNIHILATOR’S history.  “I was well aware that trying to re-capture the past usually fails, or at least won’t come close. So I decided to bring in fresh ears, both musically and physically with Rich Hinks, my bassist for the last few years.  And doing most all of the records by myself, including writing and playing most all on my own, as well as mixing, mastering, engineering, etc…, well it can become routine and can often hinder you from being objective and more creative.

Pic by Darren McVeigh

Rich came in and co-wrote the music with me, as well as co-produced the beginning stages of the record. His background of classic thrash metal meets a newer “math” metal style was the perfect combination for me to simply ask, “What do you think of this?” He would most-often reply with “not the ANNIHILATOR style I like”, so we would keep going until we both felt that core ANNIHILATOR riffing and writing style presented itself.

“Bottom line, “For The Demented” captures some feel from ANNIHILATOR’s 1985-87 demos mixed with the first 4 ANNIHILATOR records. Back to the thrash meets melody but with some pure Waters guitar riffing, up-graded lead guitar shredding and vocals back to the demo-days meets the “King of The Kill” record.

Lyrically, I placed a theme on the record: the human mind and all of its glory, complexity, diversity, weaknesses and insanity! Pretty much the craziness of the music is matched by the lyrics.”

“I think Metal Fans are going to hear much of what they have been waiting for from ANNIHILATOR.”

FOR THE DEMENTED will be released via Neverland Music/Silver Lining Music on November 3rd, 2017 and will be available in a Limited Edition Digipack with Lenticular cover, a jewel-case CD, a 12” 180gms coloured vinyl in gatefold and digital download.

Track listings
Twisted Lobotomy
One to Kill
For the Demented
Pieces of You
The Demon You Know
Phantom Asylum
Altering the Alter
The Way
Dark
Not All There