Annihilator - Alice In Hell (1989)

Annihilator - Alice In Hell (1989) album review by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza




Line Up

• Randy Rampage
• Jeff Waters
• Anthony Greenham
• Wayne Darley
• Ray Hartmann

Track Listing

1. Crystal Ann
2. Alison Hell
3. W.T.Y.D.
4. Wicked Mystic
5. Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade
6. Word Salad
7. Schizos (are never alone) parts 1&2
8. Ligeia
9. Human Insecticide

Thrash Metal by definition means music that's played very fast and very aggressive. Some older bands that easily fit in the Thrash Metal sub genre are METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, EXODUS and the most notorious SLAYER. However, any Thrash Metal list or compilation is definitely incomplete without a mention to Canadian Thrashers ANNIHILATOR. Jeff waters is one of the most talented musicians out there and his jaw dropping metal solos and riffs have to be heard to be believed.

The album i chose to review as a 'must have metal masterpiece' also happens to be their debut. Released at a time (1989) when thrash metal seemed to be on a slow decline and death metal was getting all the attention it deserved, the band stood tall and proud over all the other local thrash acts that were getting media coverage for all reasons other than music.

Musically, Annihilator is exactly what Thrash Metal is supposed to be. It makes you wanna Thrash about the place without a care for anyone or self. Some might call them a hybrid between the other 2 heavy weights Metallica and Megadeth, but Annihilator doesnt sound anything like them. it probably is inspired by the technical prog guitar works of Megadeth and the fist thumping monster riffs of Metallica, but Annihilator adds its very own special ingredient that makes for an appetizing metal treat.

The album opens with the awesome and intricate classical guitar intro 'Crystal Ann' which under 2 minutes is something not to expect from a thrash metal band. 'Alison Hell' has an eerie build up before it explodes into a typical thrash number. the only difference here , is the song has a lot of tempo changes which makes it border line progressive. 'W.T.Y.D' stands for Welcome To Your Death' , starts on a fast note and has a surprising proggy guitar solo interlude that will make RUSH fans grin in delight.

'Ligeia' is without a doubt the heaviest and most brutal track on the album and its basically a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's supernatural story of love lost and found. Tracks like 'World Salad', 'Schizos (are never alone)' see Jeff , take his writing skills on matters related to altered states of mind. He can really set the guitar fretboard on fire with his immaculate picking style and flowing legato action.

Everything track on this album is awesome. This album is the musical equivalent of a bulldozer operated by a deranged psychopath who gets his high on running over anything that walks. Brutal and relentless.

This album definitely 'burns like a buzzsaw blade'...just a word of advice. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING YOUR CAR. You will wanna run over someone. If death by over speeding doesnt kill you, getting your ass raped in prison just might. Then u can blame Annihilator's Alice In Hell for for current state.

My rating
10/10

listen to sample track here Legeia from Alice In Hell