Annihilator - Metal

Guitar virtuoso porn

Canadian guitar virtuoso Jeff Waters has been treading the backwaters of cultdom for years now. Never finding great commercial success, he’s gained enormous respect from his fellow axemen for his dazzling skills and, almost uniquely among the shredder fraternity, his ability to write good songs that aren’t simply showcases for overtechnical fretwank. This umpteenth album from the umpteenth Annihilator line-up (Waters goes through bandmembers like they’re going out of style) is simply titled and simple to digest – a dexterous metal album with a load of guest stars.

Anyone who remembers the classic, but ludicrous, Hear ’N Aid from 1985 will know that when you get a load of metal guitarists together they inevitably compete for speed and technique, leaving feel by the wayside. Not so here. Waters and his guests have held back on the technoflash, resulting in some truly awe-inspiring performances. Standout leads come from Children Of Bodom’s Alexi Laiho (melodic legato), Trivium’s Corey Beaulieu (fast alternate picking and sweeps) and Jesper Strömblad of In Flames (the most bizarre solo of 2007, no contest). It’s not just about the almighty axe, though. Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy lends her always-unnerving death metal custard-gargle too. Excellent work.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

SPV | 80001164

Reviewed by Joel Mclver
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