ANNIHILATOR “Alice In Hell” /LP/

Debut DVD by the legendary Canadian Thrash/Speed/Groove Metal band.
“Ten Years In Hell” is a hearty feast of hardened history as it dives head first into the early roots of one of Canada’s diamonds in the rough.
Contains seven classic, official Annihilator music videos, offstage band footage and bonus underground, fan-shot, live performances. In addition, a special interview with Annihilator founder and guitarist Jeff Waters as he recounts his memories of the band’s first ten years in Hell. Also includes special appearances by original co-lyricist John Bates, Neverland frontman Coburn Pharr, Criteria bassist Russell Bergquist, and Set The World On Fire’s Mike Mangini and Neil Goldberg.
Hell yeah, this is one DVD not to be missed!
0 PAL | 4:3 | PCM Stereo | 230 mins. approx.
Steamhammer/Soyuz Music/Moon Records, 2006/2007 (MOON DVD MD-0236-0). Made in Ukraine.

Tracklist:

DVD 1:
1. Intro 
2. Alison Hell 
3. Release Party 
4. TV Media One 
5. Stonewall 
6. TV Media Two 
7. TV Media Three 
8. Backstage 
9. Fun Palace Live 
10. TV Media Four 
11. Set The World On Fire 
12. KOTK Back Vocals 
13. King Of The Kill 
14. Jeff In Japan 
15. 21 
16. Only Be Lonely 
17. Syn. Kill 1 
18. Criteria Rehearsal 
19. Alison/Homicide 
20. Oh Canada 
21. Ultraparanoia 
22. Pharr Live 
23. Rampage Raw 
24. End Credits


DVD 2:
1. Pre Annihilator Era 
2. Demo Days 
3. Alice In Hell 
4. Never, Neverland 
5. Set The World On Fire 
6. King Of The Kill 
7. Refresh & Remains 
8. Criteria 
9. Other Releases 
10. Catch Ya Later 
11. Mike Mangini 
12. Neil Goldberg

Remastered re-release of the debut full-length album by the legendary Canadian Technical Thrash Metal band.
Annihilator's brand of technical, thinking man's Thrash Metal garnered many fans with this fine debut, arguably the best release of the band's career. A brief acoustic guitar piece called "Crystal Ann" introduces the excellent title track: a psychological murder thriller supposedly based on a disturbed young girl's true story.
Leader Jeff Waters takes himself a little too seriously at times (see the Edgar Allan Poe-influenced "Ligeia" and his ridiculously erudite commentary on each song's lyrics), but he is equally prone to refreshing flashes of humor on "Word Salad" and "Schizos Are Never Alone". The spectacularly named Randy Rampage proves himself to be a versatile vocalist on "Wicked Mystic" and "Burns Like a Buzzsaw Blade". The careening closer "Human Insecticide" is magnificent for its sheer speed.
The album is full of technical riffs and solos from guitarist and songwriter Jeff Waters that are sure to please any fan of Thrash Metal. "Alice In Hell" features very few dull moments, as each of the songs are very powerful in their own way, and would not look out of place on a record from any of the big four of Thrash. Somehow the band did not gain the same popularity as some of the other Thrash acts, especially in North America, which is unfortunate, as the band put out some very quality material. "Alice In Hell" ranks near the top of the band's discography, and is definitely an essential Thrash album!!
Re-edition features three bonus tracks!
Roadrunner Records/Cargo Records, 1989/1998 (RR 8723-2). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:
1. Crystal Ann 1:41
2. Alison Hell 5:01
3. W.T.Y.D. 3:56
4. Wicked Mystic 3:38
5. Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade 3:34
6. Word Salad 5:49
7. Schizos (Are Never Alone) Parts I & II 4:32
8. Ligeia 4:47
9. Human Insecticide 4:51
Bonus Tracks:
10. Powerdrain (Demo) 2:49
11. Schizos (Are Never Alone) Parts I & II (Demo) 4:18
12. Ligeia (Demo) 4:56
Total playing time: 49:52 min.


Samples: http://www.last.fm

First re-release of the second full-length studio album by legendary Canadian Technical Thrash/Speed Metal band.
As the highest selling Canadian Metal band, it would be fair to say that they have achieved a large amount across their long and fruitful career, having put out two absolute pillars within Thrash Metal in their first two albums. The band is renowned for the high level of technical proficiency across each instrument as well as their complex and catchy riffs and jumps between fast and slower sections in the blink of an eye. It was this formula that made such songs as "Alison Hell" from their debut album "Alice In Hell" so good, which would continue onto the follow-up.
"Never, Neverland" being a step up from their fantastic debut. The title track, "Road To Ruin", and "'The Fun Palace" are regarded by many as being some of the best tracks the band has ever put out, featuring some memorable vocal lines and spectacular riffing. The bass playing on these tracks is flawless, whilst the drumming is the stuff of legend, with some really Groovy lines. The sheer cohesiveness of this entire release is almost untouchable, and what is even more amazing is that the band's vocal work not only fits in with the other instruments, but actually adds to it. Coburn Pharr has a rather awesome slightly high-pitched shout and sneer that he uses for many songs, occasionally leaping between even higher shrieks and some lower notes to make for the complete vocal performance. "The Fun Palace" kicks this album off in spectacular fashion with some of the best flowing guitar work in Thrash Metal history. Whilst people such as Kirk Hammett just shred as fast as they can and abuse the wah pedal, Jeff Waters scatters various techniques throughout and lays down some beautiful melodies in his solos. This can be found on various songs. "Sixes And Sevens" shows great effect with a chorus that you will roar along to and stamp your feet in the most defiant way possible upon hearing a few times...
Comparable to Metallica and Judas Priest at their heaviest, "Never, Neverland" is a blistering gem that takes no prisoners. Much heavier than the many Pop-Metal units flooding the market in the late '80s and early '90s, it was one of 1990s strongest Metal releases. The true icing on the cake for "Never, Neverland" is its crystal clean but aggressive production job. The guitars have more bite than a pissed off Rottweiler, whilst the drums pound away incessantly without ever completely overbearing the mix. The bass is consistently audible, and the vocals are well-placed right at the centre of the production. This is one of the best jobs in Thrash Metal and really is the last nail in the coffin for almost every other Thrash album attempting to compete with this. If you are a Metal fan, and you have not heard "Never, Neverland", kindly do yourself a favour and listen to this, as it is a masterpiece of Thrash Metal!
Remastered re-edition contains three bonus tracks.
Roadrunner Records, 1989/1990/1998 (RR 8722-2). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:
1. The Fun Palace 5:51
2. Road To Ruin 3:43
3. Sixes And Sevens 5:21
4. Stonewall 4:51
5. Never, Neverland 5:30
6. Imperiled Eyes 5:28
7. Kraf Dinner 2:41
8. Phantasmagoria 4:00
9. Reduced To Ash 3:09
10. I Am In Command 3:35
Bonus Tracks:
11. Kraf Dinner (demo) 2:32
12. Mayhem (demo) 2:54
13. Freed From The Pit (demo) 3:43
Total playing time: 53:18 min.

Second re-release of the second full-length studio album by legendary Canadian Technical Thrash/Speed Metal band.
As the highest selling Canadian Metal band, it would be fair to say that they have achieved a large amount across their long and fruitful career, having put out two absolute pillars within Thrash Metal in their first two albums. The band is renowned for the high level of technical proficiency across each instrument as well as their complex and catchy riffs and jumps between fast and slower sections in the blink of an eye. It was this formula that made such songs as "Alison Hell" from their debut album "Alice In Hell" so good, which would continue onto the follow-up.
"Never, Neverland" being a step up from their fantastic debut. The title track, "Road To Ruin", and "'The Fun Palace" are regarded by many as being some of the best tracks the band has ever put out, featuring some memorable vocal lines and spectacular riffing. The bass playing on these tracks is flawless, whilst the drumming is the stuff of legend, with some really Groovy lines. The sheer cohesiveness of this entire release is almost untouchable, and what is even more amazing is that the band's vocal work not only fits in with the other instruments, but actually adds to it. Coburn Pharr has a rather awesome slightly high-pitched shout and sneer that he uses for many songs, occasionally leaping between even higher shrieks and some lower notes to make for the complete vocal performance. "The Fun Palace" kicks this album off in spectacular fashion with some of the best flowing guitar work in Thrash Metal history. Whilst people such as Kirk Hammett just shred as fast as they can and abuse the wah pedal, Jeff Waters scatters various techniques throughout and lays down some beautiful melodies in his solos. This can be found on various songs. "Sixes And Sevens" shows great effect with a chorus that you will roar along to and stamp your feet in the most defiant way possible upon hearing a few times...
Comparable to Metallica and Judas Priest at their heaviest, "Never, Neverland" is a blistering gem that takes no prisoners. Much heavier than the many Pop-Metal units flooding the market in the late '80s and early '90s, it was one of 1990s strongest Metal releases. The true icing on the cake for "Never, Neverland" is its crystal clean but aggressive production job. The guitars have more bite than a pissed off Rottweiler, whilst the drums pound away incessantly without ever completely overbearing the mix. The bass is consistently audible, and the vocals are well-placed right at the centre of the production. This is one of the best jobs in Thrash Metal and really is the last nail in the coffin for almost every other Thrash album attempting to compete with this. If you are a Metal fan, and you have not heard "Never, Neverland", kindly do yourself a favour and listen to this, as it is a masterpiece of Thrash Metal!
Limited Edition of 3500 individually numbered copies Audiophile 180g Velvet Purple Vinyl.
Roadrunner Records/Music On Vinyl, 1990/2021 (MOVLP2912). Made in Netherlands.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. The Fun Palace 5:50
2. Road To Ruin 3:40
3. Sixes And Sevens 5:19
4. Stonewall 4:50
5. Never, Neverland 5:30

Side B
1. Imperiled Eyes 5:27
2. Kraf Dinner 2:40
3. Phantasmagoria 3:57
4. Reduced To Ash 3:08
5. I Am In Command 3:38

Total playing time: 43:59 min.

The fourth re-release of the debut full-length studio album by legendary Canadian Technical Thrash Metal band.
Annihilator's brand of technical, thinking man's Thrash Metal garnered many fans with this fine debut, arguably the best release of the band's career. A brief acoustic guitar piece called "Crystal Ann" introduces the excellent title track: a psychological murder thriller supposedly based on a disturbed young girl's true story.
Leader Jeff Waters takes himself a little too seriously at times (see the Edgar Allan Poe-influenced "Ligeia" and his ridiculously erudite commentary on each song's lyrics), but he is equally prone to refreshing flashes of humor on "Word Salad" and "Schizos Are Never Alone". The spectacularly named Randy Rampage proves himself to be a versatile vocalist on "Wicked Mystic" and "Burns Like a Buzzsaw Blade". The careening closer "Human Insecticide" is magnificent for its sheer speed.
The album is full of technical riffs and solos from guitarist and songwriter Jeff Waters that are sure to please any fan of Thrash Metal. "Alice In Hell" features very few dull moments, as each of the songs are very powerful in their own way, and would not look out of place on a record from any of the big four of Thrash. Somehow the band did not gain the same popularity as some of the other Thrash acts, especially in North America, which is unfortunate, as the band put out some very quality material. "Alice In Hell" ranks near the top of the band's discography, and is definitely an essential Thrash album!!
Limited Edition of 3500 individually numbered copies on 180 g Translucent Red coloured vinyl.
Roadrunner Records/Music On Vinyl, 1989/2022 (RR 8723-2 | MOVLP2133). Made in Netherlands.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Crystal Ann 1:41
2. Alison Hell 5:00
3. W.T.Y.D. 3:53
4. Wicked Mystic 3:36
5. Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade 3:31

Side B
1. Word Salad 5:46
2. Schizos (Are Never Alone) Parts I & II 4:35
3. Ligeia 4:40
4. Human Insecticide 4:48

Total playing time: 37:30 min.