Tag Archives: Dave Padden

Annihilator – For the Demented

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Though some of their post-millennium releases have been sketchy, Canadian thrash outfit Annihilator have been largely reliable in churning out decent thrash records at a reassuringly reliable clip. For The Demented (Neverland Music/Silver Lining) is the sixteenth album during a thirty-odd year career, and the second album in a row where band founder and guitarist Jeff Waters takes on vocal duty, after Dave Padden’s departure following the release of 2013’s Feast [UDR]. Waters has said he wanted to return to the band’s earlier days, and have a heavier, less hook and chorus-driven sound this time around. By and large, he’s succeeded. Continue reading →


Annihilator – Archer – Harlott: Live at 02 Academy Islington

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They may have never quite made it to the same level as Metallica, Megadeth et al but Canada’s Annihilator represent all that is good about thrash metal. They’ve been (relatively) consistent without selling out, they play it fast and loud, and founder Jeff Waters seriously knows how to shred.

Opening act Harlott are an Australian outfit cut from the same cloth as many other thrash-revivalists. Recently signed to Metal Blade, they’re more on the Exodus/Kreator end of the spectrum; fast and relentlessly rough-as-a-dogs-arse, with a penchant for Hanneman-inspired solos and the occasional guitar harmonies. They’re a tight unit with an engaging frontman when between songs, but once the music starts they just get their head down and rock.

California’s Archer, however, are more blessed with more hair than quality. The Californian power trio put a lot more effort towards audience participation than the previous band, but the lack of quality songs really let them down. They put plenty of energy into their performance, but their mix of recycled NWOBHM riffs and occasional squealing solo fail to get the blood pumping, especially after such an aggressive opener. A half-decent cover of Megadeth’s ‘Tornado of Souls’ was about as good as things get.

Despite losing longtime musical partner Dave Padden, Annihilator seem stronger than ever. The band’s musical ability and back catalogue quality was never been in question, so it was just a case whether Waters could find a decent replacement guitarist and step up to the plate himself vocally. But fans could rest easy. Being the sole vocalist allows Waters to take centre stage and run the whole show. Clearly enjoying himself, he plays with a smile on his face, does a more than decent job on the mic and has an easy patter with the (admittedly adoring) audience. New additions Rich Hinks on bass and Aaron Homma on guitars also look like they’re having fun on their maiden tour and seem right at home.

2015’s tour may be to promote new album Suicide Society (UDR) but Waters & Co. are wise enough to give the people what they want; old school thrashers. The band get the triple whammy of new single ‘Snap’, the title track and Metallica-esque ‘Creeping Again’ out the way early on, leaving plenty of time for the 80s classics and some lesser heard gems from the band’s darker days.

There’s a fair few tracks taken from the Waters-fronted era (1995-1997); the high-octane joy of ‘King of the Kill’ and ‘Refresh the Demon’ make an appearance, along with Remains’ ‘Tricks and Traps’ and the one-two of ‘Bliss/Second to None’. Waters basically ran the band solo during this period, but the songs were still straight-ahead thrashers. It seems the departure of Padden means there’s no room for more recent numbers from Metal, Feast or 2010’s self-titled effort.

It’s no surprise that it’s the early classics that get the audience most excited though. Mosh pits and singalongs break out during the slow aggression of ‘Set the World on Fire’, the pure shred of ‘W.T.Y.D’ and the creeping ‘Alison Hell’. There’s even time for a drum solo and a medley of food-based songs in ‘Chicken and Corn’ and ‘Kraf Dinner’.

2015 might be a new Annihilator, but they still know how to shred.

 

DAN SWINHOE


Annihilator – Suicide Society

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Jeff Waters is one of life’s perennial nearly-men. From threatening success with their (his – I think everyone accepts by this point Annihilator is Waters, and Waters is Annihilator) revered début Alice In Hell (Roadrunner) through a career that has risen and fallen but never quite reached the commercial or critical heights of his first three releases, nonetheless, Jeff is a trier.

Left flying solo following a split with Dave Padden, Waters has, as he did for three albums in the 90’s, taken on the role of vocalist on the fifteenth album to bear the Annihilator moniker, Suicide Society (UDR). Vocally, there are nods to contemporaries and inspirations, most notably Dave Mustaine, but all in, it has to be said, Waters turns in a vast improvement on his previous outings on the mic with a decent performance.

While Suicide Society is not without its flaws, it is an album which wears a strong Megadeth influence on its sleeve and, conversely, it’s hard not to be drawn in by its charm. Were it not Annihilator there may be more winces, but as it is you find yourself glossing over the clichéd lyrics, the dime-a-dozen staccato groove riffs, the obvious hooks and the more-confusion-than-fusion clunky segues and break outs and instead nodding along with the cousin of Cryptic Writings (Capitol) ‘Creepin’ Again’, the melodic snap of, um, ‘Snap’ and shaking your head forgivingly at what is, quite brazenly, ‘Damage Inc’ glued to bits of ‘Metal Militia’ repackaged under the title ‘My Revenge’.  When Waters snarls “No Remorse!” in a track, ‘Break, Enter’ that looks once again to Kill ‘em All (Megaforce) you’re grinning with, rather than berating, him as you knowingly turn a blind eye because you know this is a guy who genuinely loves his craft and his metal. Interestingly though, it is the less thrashy, more melodic, tracks like ‘Snap’ and ‘The One You Serve’ that work best, and suit Waters’ better-voice-than-modern-day-Mustaine vocals, while balladic closer ‘Every Minute’ has some great sections.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying an album while acknowledging its several and obvious blemishes, and there’s nothing wrong with having a soft spot for Jeff Waters and Annihilator. Suicide Society indulges both.

 

6.0/10

 

STEVE TOVEY