Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    Yeah, as a matter of fact I think they just played a show at the
    'Dise' didn't they? With -ah- Celtic Frost?
    
    We only caught the last half hour of Celtic, so we missed Annihilator
    altogether! Sometimes I don't know which is worse the killer late
    shows or the wimpy early ones!!!! [Early ones start AT 7:00!!!]
    
    -vamp>

    I heard "Alyson Hell" on Metal Shop this weekend and that song BURNS!
    That will definitely be my next CD purchase.  They we're billed
    as Canada's answer to Metallica and Megadeth.  Their stuff seems
    a lot more intricate than those two .... Scary gives 'em a thumbs
    UP !
    
    
    
    				Scary

    I heard that too...  There are some GREAT tunes there for sure.
    
    jc

    I don't know about them being a new Metallica or Megadeth, they've
    got some way to go on that score, but I've got the album and it
    is pretty good. The question is, will they ever be taken seriously
    with a singer called Randy Rampage!?!!?

    
    yup, that is an interesting name.
    
    Ann. are supporting Onslaught at the Majestic, Reading on July 13th.
         
    Should be (another) good 'un.
         
    -Tony

         <<< IRDEV::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]HEAVY_METAL.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< And get the priest as well... >-
================================================================================
Note 579.0                         Annihilator                           1 reply
ASAHI::COOPER "Burn my flag, and I'll shoot ya..."   18 lines  28-JUN-1989 12:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Okay thrash monsters...  Thanks to Mr. Jerry (Scary) White, I have
    been indoctrinated into DDMC (Demonic-Death Music Club).  He left me 
    this little tape that I would like to discuss.  It's called "Alice
    In Hell"
    
    Most every death metal/thrash band I've heard was pretty much junk
    IMHO, but these boize have some serious talent going here.  I'd
    say the singer isn't even too bad (although the vocals are a little
    weird...  But the GUITAR playing is primo...tasteful...Like wicked 
    way-cool.
    
    I would suggest that if you can stomach the vox and lyrics that
    everyone run out and buy this album...Especially the guit players...
    This is free guitar lessons, IMHO.
    
    Does anyone know more about Annihilater ?  Like a discography ?
    
    jc

    Okay, so I spaced...
    
    If ya ask me (no one is gonna, so I'll say it anyway), the guitar 
    work on this album makes the boize in Metallica look like wimps.
    Now don't get me wrong, I love Metallica, but the guit players
    in Annihilator RULE !
    
    The lead work on this album is *so* much more *clean* and 
    structured than Kirks stuff... And these boize are FAST !  
    
    jc (Who is impressed beyond words...)

                                  
    "Alice In Hell" is this Canadian bands debut release.
                                  
    The "owner" of the band is Jeff Waters (guitars) and although
    Annihilator are a full band now - Waters played every instrument
    except drums (ie ALL guitars, bass and keyboards) on the album coz
    the he didn't have a full line up.  Jeff Waters also produced
    the album (mixed it to ?) I heard in interview with him - he's a
    nice guy - no ego or anything.
                                  
    Also - I'm seeing Annihilator support Onslaught on 13th July.
                                          
    I'll let you know if they cut it live.
         
    -Tony

    Interesting...  Did he sing that stuff too ?  I've never heard
    such *nasty* soundin' vox in my life...
    
    jc

    
    Nope - the vocals were done by a guy called Randy Rampage !!!
    
    What a name !!!!!
                     
    agagagaga!!

    
    Apparently Randy Rampage used to play bass for DOA.
    
    Paul the Contractor
    -------------------
    

    
    	Based on hearing "Alison Hell", I can't say that I'm impressed.
    
    	Maybe they're good, but so far I can't say that I agree.
    
    							GTI
    

    Maybe a bit too hard and fast for you Shawn  ;^)

    
    Heard the album last night ... the music was Ok although it could
    have been heavier , but it was the guy singing that put me right
    off ... it just irritated me.  Not a bad band though ... they've
    got potential.
    
                    Mike

    
    	RE: -1
    
    		Bingo!!  Hit the nail right on the head.
    
    							GTI
    

    I told you guize the singer was nasty.  It seems to fit though...At
    least it grew on me...  I love the guitar work.  Not too heavy/fast,
    and rather tasteful...FWIW...
    jc

    
    One of my first thoughts on hearing the album was "Who is this pillock
    singing like a cat being neutered?". The more I listened, though,
    the more it grew on me. Like a lot thrash-type metal, they are not
    immediately accessible, but listen a few time, give them a chance
    and they blow your bits off!
    
    Paul the Contractor
    -------------------
    

    Well, Coop made me (and Buck) listen to this "band" this past week.
    
    *I* myself like the guitar/drum work, but the singer has *GOT* to
    go... he does sound like a male cat in heat.  I listened to "alice
    in hell" and the song is cool,.. but I think the rest of the album
    goes downhill from there.  Personally, I think the lyrics are
    "tasteless".. but whatever sells these days.. sells.  (I've heard
    worse..)
    
    CJ, my two pennies.

    I didn't like much of it at all.
    
    Buck, with a slightly more melodic ear of late.

        CJ,

        I believe the name of that song is "Allison Hell".

        Vicki

    
    Yeah, the song is called Alison Hell and the album is called Alice
    In Hell

    "W.T.Y.D" (Welcome To Your Death) kicks pretty good too.  I like
    the CD a lot.  I think this band is a true example of where the
    lyrics and their delivery take a backseat to the music.  Big deal,
    if you like how it sounds .... and Scary does !
    
    
    				Scary
    
          (who says vocals are just fillers between lead breaks ...)

    Thats the attitude !!  I taught this guy well eh ?
    ;^)
    
    I just like that sound...  My new axe is named "Allyson Hell"

    Ralph - Norton - Allyson Hell, good progression ....
    
    
    
    				Scary ...

    I thought so...
    
    ;^)

    Hi,
    I listen since some time to Annihilator and Metallica (Master of the
    Puppets) and Metal Church. Annihilator deserves the comparison with
    Metallica. I even prefer Alice in Hell to And Justice ..(Metallica). It
    is more intense and variated. Instrumentally they are fantastic and I
    like also the singer which has great range and speed. If they continue
    that way they can go very far.
    Sorin

    
    Singer Randy Rampage has quit the band, no reason given, bit they are
    currently looking for a replacement with "Power range, and the ability
    to command an audiance".
    
    Contact Roadracer Records in NY.
    
    Flip

    He was fitting very well with their music and I think it will be not
    easy to find an equivalent.
    Sorin

I love it Pete.  It's raunchy.  

Personal opinion on the singer ?  Good ridence. 
We ought to get MB to send them a tape eh Scary ??

jc

  

It moshes.  The guitar work is incredible.
The singer kinda ruins it for me, but you may like him.

jc

    Re- Singer  yaaaaa!
    
    I personally thought the singer was horrible, and that if they found
    a new one they'd rock!
    
    Jeff has the tape somewhere, and it is pretty good.
    
    CJ

    The lead singer you speak of was formerly with Johnny Autopsy and the
    Coroners of Death, he was TOO heavy for even them!  |)

    The previous reply shows the full extent of SteveO's knowledge
    of heavy metal...  ;^)  The name of the band you speak of is CORONER.
    Johnny Autopsy changed his name to Jani Lane, and now sings for
    Warrant ...       ;^)
    
    jc

    Hi,
    Annihilator's "Allison Hell" has the same value for me as Metallica's
    "Master of Puppets". They are equally intense and very precise and the
    recording is 10/10. The singer has a very broad range if we keep in
    mind the speed of playing. It is the kind of album that works fine on
    high or low volume and also very fine with headphones. Repeated
    listening does not bore but let you appreciate all the album which is
    entirely fine.
    This was my opinion.
    Best regards and Merry Christmas to all of you !
    Sorin

I had the occasion of a short listening of the new "Never Neverland" CD because
I wanted to buy it. But finally I hesitated and postponed the aquisition.
They have a new vocalist which sings well but not as well as the former. The
sound is mellower (but good quality) and the nightmare atmosphere from "Alice in
Hell" is missing (and also that speed, energy and anger). I'll wait to have a 
better impression (I wasn't hooked by this short listening).

Sorin

    Sounds like Sorin and I are on slightly different wave lengths
    here.  I took a chance tonight and bought Never, Neverland.
    I made a deal with the guy that if I didn't like the singer,
    I could bring back the CD.
    
    Well, I've listened to it twice now and he couldn't pry it from
    my hands !  While Sorin liked the old singer-dude, he was a little
    harsh for my tastes.  And also while Sorin will miss him on the
    Never, Neverland effort I won't.  I think I said many notes ago
    that Annihilator would be a KILLER band if they dumped the
    singer.  I guess they listened to me.  ;)  This new singer has 
    cleaned up Annihilators act quite a bit.  The old guy made
    me feel like if I got too close to him my face would melt
    and slide right off into a puddle from his breath !  ;)
    
    The guitar playing is spot-on and this guy RIPS !  I like
    listening to this album as much (if not more than) anything by 
    Metallica.  It's speedy as hell and for some reason they seem
    to be in a different 'mode' than everyone else in this biz.
    
    There seems to be a little in common with Fates Warning, because
    Never, Neverland seems VERY conceptual simlilar to Queensr�che too, 
    but heavier...Of course he's no Geoff Tate... Anyway;
    
    In my opinion (as always) there isn't a Lame track on the whole thing.
    I'm going to listen to this a lot...And Scary is coming over after work
    in the morning to get a copy of it, since he turned me on Annihilator
    in the beginning.  I'm glad he did.
    
    jc (Wordy tonight eh ?)

    BTW - Sorin, no offense meant at all....
    
    Rock on,
    jc

    I gotta throw my bit in here too ... I got my mitts on the 3 song promo
    for Never, Neverland tonight, and it absolutely WAILS !!!
    
    The new singer (IMHO) sounds a good bit like the old guy, but not quite
    as raspy (annoying).  Looking forward to heading to Coop's hut in the
    morning.
    
    Scary (who bets his a$$ won't be up ...)

Well, jc, you convinced me and I'll buy it. I like Rampage's voice because
it's one of the very heaviest to date and he proved an amazing range on
"Alice..", but I also agree that it's not for all tastes.
I've heard too little of "Never neverland" to be really hooked and I was with
Rampage's voice still in mind. The new singer, Coburn Pharr, which comes from
Omen has a good but more usual voice (and also critics agreed he's not a 
phenomena like Rampage). I'll write more opinions after I'll have this new 
album.
But what is in any case true, is the fact that Annihilator brought something
new the same way that Metallica did years ago, marking a milestone in heavy
metal history. They sound completely original while beeing very sophisticated
and full of energy (and aggressiveness fo "Alice..").

jc, check at the occasion also Forbidden's last ("Twisted into form") because
it's also excellent and the singer's voice, while beeing 'normal' is really
great.

Sorin

PS. I enjoy listening to different opinions than mine.

    On the video for "Alice In Hell" it was actually one of the guitar
    players that did the mega hi-lo thing on the vocals.  This promo tape
    I'm listening to has the same 3 songs on each side ... I'm flipping
    this tape over like crazy !!!  IT'S GREAT !!!
    
    
    Scary .... in metal mode for a change ...

    Coop turned me onto a tad of Annihilator when I borrowed his
    SP-1000...from what I heard, the guitarist rips, but the band
    stinks.

    
    The guitarist is called Jeff Waters and is about as original as a
    copied rubick cube.

    They are all excellent in Annihilator and they have skills which are
    far above many of the HM bands. And the recording and production is one
    of the very best. I think they don't stink but smell the thunderstrike
    burn. Now as I got the new CD too, I'll comment it asap.
    
    Sorin

    And, to add, the sound on "Alice.." is really HI-FI by any standards
    and at any volume. Just listen it on headphones (on my Sennheisers 540
    Reference it just blows you away ..). Many HM CDs (DDDs included) fail
    to meet the high standards in sound quality (this applies also to non
    HM CDs, but for those is more simple as there is a more limitted
    dynamic and less distortion danger..and less volume at listening).
    
    Sorin
    PS. Jeff Waters *is* one of the very best guitarists/composers and also
    a fine producer ("Alice.." is produced by him).

    
    	I picked up the 3 song promo last night and listened to it and
    	 this thing rips!!!!!!!!!! I love it....I can't wait to hear the
    	whole album!
    
    	M
    	 B

    
    Whats the name of the new album exactly?
    
    Never, neverland?
    
    Thanks
    
    F.

    Yes, the name is Never Neverland.
    You won a cigarette and a surprise ! The surprise is that you'll get no
    cigarette !
    
    Sorin

    I'm listening to it w ... it cooks ... good dynamics, tricky changes,
    and VERY HEAVY in spots.  Thanks Coop !  But then again, it's the least
    ya could do, since I turned ya on to Metallica, Tesla, and these guys.
    
    Scary

    Should have slipped him the MC Hammer CD in the Annhilator case, Coop!

    I could just see the look on his face when he heard that...

    Unfortunately, my son is into rap now, so he's got the MC Hammer tape,
    along with countless others.  Doesn't make sense ... I buy him a
    *killer* Technics rack system, with CD player ... the kid has the
    entire works of Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Helloween, and Anthrax
    on CD no less ... and he's listening to Kid 'n Play !  Where did I go
    wrong, I tried to set a good example, I tried to lead him down the
    right path.  Youth ...
    
    And Coop helped too ... I used him to demonstrate what would happen if
    he didn't eat all his veggies ... 8^)  Wagagaga .....    8^)
    
    Scary (who borrows the little dependents CD's often, along with his Air
    Jordans  ...)
    ...)

    
    Use a little reverse psychology and encourage him to listen to rap.
    ;^)
    
    Seriously, what's wrong with a little variety?
    
    SESOB

    Nothing really ... I'd rather him hang around a crowd that likes rap as
    opposed to the metal crowd !    8^)
    
    Scary

    
    Yeah, you don't want him hanging out with "shady characters" like us!
    ;^)
    

Thanx again jc for the opinions on "Never, Neverland".
I bought it yesterday and already listened it 3 times (once on headphones).
The CD is extraordinary just like "Alice..". And while it's a very little bit
less tough than "Alice..", it has even more complexity and fast and intelligent
changes. They succeeded to evoluate very well and, with two exceptional albums,
they go stright to the top of the (very) heavy metal bands. And all this without
trying to be a replique to other heavy giants like Metallica. They have their 
own way.
It's true that with the new singer they'll reach a wider audience. Coburn Pharr
has a good voice (Randy Rampage still has an incredible non-human voice) and
managed to sing songs which were written to fit with Randy's extremely 
aggressive voice (in an interview, Coburn declared that one of his problems was
this). The day I listened first time the new album, it was in a shop after 
having listened in the car "Alice.." (much better conditions of listening in
the car). So I was not so impressed on the moment.
I'll not name the best song on the album because they are all best.
I just say: don't miss it! (if you're into Metallica, Testament, Slayer but also
Queensr�che, Fates Warning and other progressive bands).
But, if don't have "Alice in Hell" you should have it also because both albums
are essential.

Sorin

    This cd (Never, Neverland) is friggin great!!! I'm on my second run
    thru and I love it!!! 
    
    Goodbye, from the fun palace!!!!

      I got to listen to the new Annihilator album today, Never Neverland.
    This bad boy kicks major @ss. Scary, really appreciate you turning me on
    to this. I definite must get CD. Time to hit rewind and listen again.
    
    					The KER
    
     

    I love it!!! Kraf Dinner had me rolling!!!!  Road to Ruin hit me kinda
    hard cuz sometimes I drive when I shouldn't. Fun Palace kicks major
    ass!!! and I got a rush from I am in Command. Too Killer!!

    Another satisfied customer .....   8^)
    
    Scary

    I know it.  Crackin' me up.
    
    Well Greg, where's your $.02 worth ?
    
    Kraf Dinner makes me laugh everytime.
    
    Mrs. Cooper hates this album, cuz I only play it on "5"
    which is pretty damn loud...
    jc
    

    Jeff loaned me a tape with both of their albums on it and I must say
    the new one is pretty interesting.  There's some very creative guitar
    work going on here.  
    
    Now the first album is not that great IMO, kind of generic thrash, but
    this new one is very hot.  I think I like the singer on the first
    album better, but I've always liked those rough edged voices like Bon
    Scott, Udo, and such.
    
    Kraf Dinner (is that how they spelled it?) is hilarious!  Reminds me
    of what my old roomate used to call me all the time.
    
    gh

    
    Dave Davis (guitarist) has left Annihilator.  They will not be
    replacing him for their tour as support slot for Judas Priest.
    
    Flip

    Hmmm...  Interesting.
    
    I hope Waters can hold it together...

    Hey Cooper, you still listening to these guys or what?!
    
    Alice in Hell -- gawd, I hated that song/album!

    
    not this again!  remember that hell day with us, pril and minardi?  boy
    the mods loved that!! :')
    
    

    Yeah, I got WICKED hate mail from GTI that day!!
    
    ];^>

    
    	I hope I wasn't TOO nasty ... I wasn't upset with the noters as
    	much as the NOTES themselves.
    
    	8^)
    
    							GTI
    

    Annihilator STILL rules the planet...
    
    Check it out - I suspect they should have a top 40 hit real soon.
    All the other slay-bands I've been listening to (for years) have.
    
    Check out Eye-To-Eye by Fates Warning.

    
    check out the whole album 'parallels' by fates warning!!
    
    

    We gotta do that again soon!
    
    'pril (who likes hate mail)

    Well folks,the new Annihilator album is out,and is very disapointing.In
    fact,it is SHITE!It was so slow and poofy,compared to the amazing
    Never Never Land which you all loved.I bought it the day it came
    out,and sold it the very same night.If you have any sense you will
    keep away from it.Jeff Waters,what have you done!
    
    
                                                 Goog Fae Spam

    Yes,i`ve heard "Reptile",and wot a limp load of puerile rubbish it is.
    
    "You`re such a big disgrace,
     why don`t you stay out of my face,
     You`ve got no beep!ing class,
     you`re just a snake in the grass".
    
    so sad.
    

    RE: Last two replies
    
    I'm BUMMIN!
    
    Say it's not SO!!!
                        
    

    Im afraid so chap.I was surprised at how crap it was.
    
    
               DON'T  LISTEN  TO  IT  !!!!!!
    
                  (If you do,you will know what I mean)

Annihilator has released a new album, 'King of the kill'. It's a *great*
comeback for Jeff Waters. The band is composed only by Jeff (guitars,bass,voice)
and a drummer (I think the original one).
Jeff sings surprisingly well and all the songs are excellent. Heavy and full
of imagination, plus the amazing guitar interventions. Just listen to the
opening 'The box' song.
I think KotK matches fully the quality of AiH and NN. Highly recommended!
I've listened it 4 to 5 times this weekend. I had also Helmet's 'Betty' which
did really nothing to me (maybe because of the Annihilator's CD).
KotK recalls quite often Megadeth but in a bit heavier version.

Sorin

    Coolness!!!  I need more COOL music, and annihilator is always a fave!
    
    jc (WHo likes the vox on Never, Neverland

Re. jc

I think you'll like the vox on KotK also. It's not like the singer on AiH
(however I liked also that one :-)). Jeff Waters recalls sometimes the better
part of Dave Mustaine's voice.

Sorin

    RE:AIH - Brrrr....  I get cold chills from that doodz voice!
    
    I'll be purchasing this KotK album for sure.  
    
    Thanks for the tip!!
    jc
    

> the better part of Dave Mustaine's voice.
    
    Isn't this somewhat of an oxymoron?