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Simply titled “Metal,” their newest album features a more stable lineup consisting of Dave Padden on the mic and Mike Mangini (STEVE VAI, EXTREME) hitting skins. It is also his most ambitious work to date. Waters gathered a group of metal all-stars and friends to lend a helping hand. Some of the guest musicians include such renown names as Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE), Willie Adler (LAMB OF GOD), Michael Amott and Angela Glassow of ARCH ENEMY fame, Corey Beaulieu (TRIVIUM), Anders Bjorler (THE HAUNTED), Alexi Laiho (COB), and Canadian metal mainstay “Lips” Kudlow of ANVIL. “Metal” represents the second era of the band, an era focusing on a sound more groove oriented. The down tuning of the guitars and Padden’s singing style indicate the group is not afraid of modernizing their sound, although Water’s guitar skills remain a constant. Water’s expert axe skills have always been the band’s trump card, and the acquisition of so many great guitarists from today’s metal scene confirms the respect he gives off throughout the scene. NEVERMORE’s Jeff Loomis helps ANNIHILATOR kick off the album. Whether Waters wrote each song to fit with each guest’s trademark style or not is yet to be determined, but this track as NEVERMORE written all over it, from the guitar tuning to the playing style. Excellent track overall, especially the ripping solos, but Padden’s vocals take a poppy turn during the chorus. “Army of One” is the requisite heavy metal anthem so many classic metal acts have penned in the golden days of the scene. “Lips” of ANVIL is the perfect guest vocalist for a track like this because he’s been around for a long time. Lyrics of unity and how metal will never die go together well with a chugging groove. Waters mans the mic on “Operation Annihilation,” which is one of the more bruising tracks on the album. The guitars and drums work together well during stops and fills on this track. Waters seems to have kept the heaviest track for last. “Kicked”—featuring Corey Beaulieu of TRIVIUM—begins on a light note with a bass intro. The track gradually opens with controlled guitar solos before double bass and chugging guitars push the tempo. Double bass and blitzing drum rolls usher in the Jacob Lynam track (LYNAM) “Detonation.” This track shows Waters playing his best grooves, a riff ostensibly straight from the book of BLACK SABBATH, “Children of the Grave” to be precise. Where “Detonation” offers the album’s catchiest groove, the next track is the fastest. LAMB OF GOD’s Willie Adler brings his heavily-praised guitar skills to the frantic, speed metal pace of “Chasing the High,” fitting for a song pertaining to Meth use and abuse. Near the middle of the track, Adler and Waters trade off slumbering, melodic leads. Face it old school ANNIHILATOR fans, ANNIHILATOR has updated its style and may never return to the banshee shrieks and swift string work of the early days. Unlike certain groups, though, they continue to fly the flag of metal without looking for radio play. Although one will most likely never hear tracks from “Metal” on mainstream radio, ANNIHILATOR has injected it with a small taste of the mainstream in the vocals. Padden’s voice is more palatable for the modern metal listener. He even takes a step towards metalcore and emo in some of the choruses, which is the album’s maindrawback, although tracks like “Chasing the High,” which show the band driving at full throttle that make these poppy choruses easy to forget. - Darren CowanRead full review
This is an awesome album from front to back. Waters does not disappoint and definitely delivers the goods on this one. If you are a fan of classic guitar driven heavy metal then this album should be at the top of your list. I always have other new CDs screaming for attention. But this one finds it's way back into my player regularly. Yes, it's a great album that begs for more playing. The highlights for me thus far are tracks 1, 3, 7* and 8. I starred track 7 because I often find myself starting it again to get some more when it's near finished playing. All in all a great album from front to back though and highly recommended if you like Annihilator at all, or if you regularly listen to music by classic metal guitar heroes such as Zakk, KK Downing, Glenn Tipton, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Mustaine... to name but a few...Read full review
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