ANNIHILATOR mainman Jeff Waters has hit back at BLABBERMOUTH.NET detractors who have criticized him and his band in the wake of his claim that he is "the fastest/tightest-picking guitarist in the world."

Writing to ANNIHILATOR's official web site, Waters said, "I know i put out some GREAT CDs/songs and some not-great-ones. Not all songs I do (or ANY band does) are great. But many, many, many love what I do with ANNIHILATOR; at least some of it!

"It is SOOOO fun to get those folks going, you have no idea. It is like someone who has heard 1 or 2 of my songs, and then they base their opinion on those 2 tunes. When there are really 110+ other ANNIHILATOR tunes to listen to! I dont like all of AC/DC, SLAYER, METALLICA, PRIEST, MAIDEN, EXODUS songs but I sure like many of them. Those bands are some of my favorite bands ever!

"It is a lesson in social psychology to watch as people 'assume' you are something that you are not, because you have many line-up changes over 15 years. Ummm, has the thought ever crossed their minds that ANNIHILATOR is and always has been a solo project??! Hehe! Duuuh! Line-up changes can trigger the immediate thought 'Whoa; this guy must have a big ego and be an a..hole if he changes members so often.' Ummm... no. In solo projects that last for 15 years, there is bound to be many changes! In fact, I never want to keep the same line-up; boring.

"I would LOVE to hear their reaction after listening to more than 'Alice'/'Never' and the title track 'All For You'! Just because we never toured and released CDs in the USA for a long time, people assumed that we were not doing well and many thought and believed that the music after 'Neverland' was 'bad'. But they have never heard it and never knew that cd's like 'King of the Kill' (1994) and 'All For You' (2004) were a few of my biggest selling CDs and biggest touring!

"So you see, when people say we 'suck,' often this has some merrit. I don't like every song or every band; no one has to like ANNIHILATOR and we all have different tastes. But if this is said out of ignorance (heard this by way of rumour or only heard a few tunes OR only heard songs 15 years ago!), then what would they think if they knew that many of THEIR favorite bands and musicians like and respect ANNIHILATOR? That would sure mess them up! A good point! I could give you a list of 50 musicians that are 'fans' of what I do. It would make u go 'Wow!' But I won't; I just enjoy it greatly when they give me VIP passes to their shows! Haha!

"Don't tell 'em that we have 13 CDs out, over a million units sold and have been touring most every year throughout europe/asia and kickin' butt! Oh, and with bands like PRIEST, 22 tours, playing on shows with most every band they like, etc...!

"This Watersgate / Firestorm is the funnest thing that has happened to me in so long! But maybe it is un-fair to play on people's ignorance?!

"Oh yeah; did I mention (yes) that who can play the 'fastest' means poopoo! Got some attention though; NOT ONE PERSON has challenged this statement (fastest/tightest metal guitarist); every guitarist mentionned, so far, does not catch me. Some really hate that I might be right on that one!

"OK; I will stop now! Back to selling CDs and making music!"

wijze woorden van jeff

Hoe vaker je hem hoort, hoe mooier hij word . Ik ben zowat verslaaft aan dit schijfje . Geweldige vocalen (die me soms wat aan James Hetfield & Tom Araya doen denken). Aan Tom's vocalen erg in het nr Rage Absolute. Er zitten ook zeer heerschende basloopjes in (bijvoorbeeld de intro van de cd). En ook erg lekkere afwisselingen tussen snelle/harde stukken en rustige stukken (bijvoorbeeld het nr Both of Me) .

Zeer heerschende plaat dus . Beste werk van Jeff tot nu toe, imo . Ik hoop dat ze deze line-up houden. Ik kan niet wachten om ze eens live te bewonderen .

Former ANNIHILATOR, GRIP INC. Members Join Forces In STRESS FACTOR 9 - Mar. 30, 2005

Former ANNIHILATOR members Randy Rampage (vocals) and Ray Hartmann (drums) have teamed up with bassist Stu Carruthers (GRIP INC., JUST CAUSE), guitarist Ash Blue (ex-STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and guitarist/vocalist Kick (VERTICAL AFTER) in a brand new band called STRESS FACTOR 9. The group's musical style is described as "catchy, memorable punk-metal-urban ditties with big anthemic sing-along choruses." A 21-second rehearsal recording of STRESS FACTOR 9 is available for download at this location. http://www.verticalafter.com/rampage/clip-comp.mp3

STRESS FACTOR 9 are looking to release an EP in time for a planned European tour this summer.

For more information, visit www.stressfactor9.com.

Ik zit nu "Criteria for a Black Widow" te luisteren, en vooralsnog ontdek ik er helemaal niets in. Ik had er stukken meer van verwacht...

hoe vaker ik de nieuwe plaat hoor, hoe vetter ik em vind!
vooral "Invite It" en "Something Witchy" zijn geweldige nummers!

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Op 12 november 2005 11:42 schreef aerodis het volgende:
Ik zit nu "Criteria for a Black Widow" te luisteren, en vooralsnog ontdek ik er helemaal niets in. Ik had er stukken meer van verwacht...

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Is ook ene mindere ANNIHILATOR plaat naar mijn mening.

De nieuwe klinkt wel goed maar godver wat klinkt die zanger belabberd, muzikaal wel weer helemaal toppie!

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Op 12 november 2005 11:42 schreef aerodis het volgende:
Ik zit nu "Criteria for a Black Widow" te luisteren, en vooralsnog ontdek ik er helemaal niets in. Ik had er stukken meer van verwacht...

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Die vind ik net erg leuk. Erg Old School.

STRESS FACTOR 9: Former ANNIHILATOR Members Release Debut CD With New Project - Feb. 9, 2006

STRESS FACTOR 9, the new band featuring former ANNIHILATOR members Randy Rampage (vocals) and Ray Hartmann (drums), have announced the release of their debut 12-song CD, "BrainWarp MindSpin". The album was produced and mixed by Shaun Thingvold (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY, LAMB OF GOD), recorded stealthily from November 11 until the end of mixing January 21 at Greenhouse studios in Vancouver in the room that NICKELBACK used to record "This is How You Remind Me".

"BrainWarp MindSpin" (view cover here) will first be available in USA on Amazon.com and on the band's official web site and later at retail stores. In Europe the album will be available from Century Media Germany retail store distribution network and web site.

STRESS FACTOR 9 have played several live dates in the fall of 2005, including a support slot with OVERKILL. The band will later announce the tour itinerary for Europe, Japan, and some U.S. dates for summer 2006.

Schizo deluxe is toch weer even een opleving.
Welk album uit de eerste jaren raden de oudjes mij aan?

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Op 11 mei 2006 16:29 schreef Hypnos het volgende:
Schizo deluxe is toch weer even een opleving.
Welk album uit de eerste jaren raden de oudjes mij aan?

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Ik ben geen oudje, maar ik zou gaan voor Alice in hell en Never, neverland

edit: typen is ook een vak...

[Dit bericht is gewijzigd door Murdering Monk op 11-05-2006 17:36]

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Op 11 mei 2006 16:29 schreef Hypnos het volgende:
Schizo deluxe is toch weer even een opleving.
Welk album uit de eerste jaren raden de oudjes mij aan?

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Uhhh, natuurlijk Alice in Hell en Never Neverland! Daarna kwam Set the world on fire, en dat is een draak van een CD, errug slechte en slissende zanger, matige songs, gewoon volkomen kut! King of the Kill is wel weer leuk vind ik, met Jeff zelf op zang, maar wel met een drumcomputer. De songs op King of the Kill zijn redelijk poppy. Daarna heb ik Annihilator eigenlijk niet meer gevolgd....

King of the kill had toch een echte drummer?? Heb dat ding hier liggen, heb echt nooit doorgehad dat dat een drumcomputer was, hehe

Set the world on fire heeft zeker toffe nummers, maar idd die zanger... dn luister i toch een stuk liever naar de live uitvoeringen op die live plaat, want ik vind m muziekaal toch wel sterk in elkaar zitten, ok, het is wat softer, maar zeker niet slecht!!

In intervieuws tijdens de King of the Kill promotie zei Jeff zelf dat t computers waren.. Welke "nieuwere" cd's zijn aan te raden?

Hmm, ik zou carnavl diablos zeggen, ik vind m vrij sterk, staan erg goei knallers op, maar ook wat mindere dingen die wat meer naar ac/dc neigen, en das niet echt mijn ding, waking the fury is ook wel tof, maar die vind ik echt een te kut gitaargeluid hebben, en criteria for a black widow, weer een cd met randy rampage, is gewoon lekker

Volgens mij is de enige cd waarin een drumcomputer zat, Remains. Dat is gelijk ook de enige afrader die ik zou geven als Annihilator-album.

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Op 11 mei 2006 17:52 schreef blonde rockgod het volgende:
In intervieuws tijdens de King of the Kill promotie zei Jeff zelf dat t computers waren.. Welke "nieuwere" cd's zijn aan te raden?

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schizo deluxe

King of the Kill is 100 % een drumcomputer, is ook duidelijk te horen, als de Aardschok liegt lieg ik ook want daar stond het in!

Ik heb deze week de hele week KotK in mijn auto gedraaid en hoewel ik alle Annihilator albums bezit op de laatste 2 na moet ik zeggen dat deze CD met toch wel errug goed bevalt, Waters is een geniaal gitarist, maar teksten schrijven kan hij beter aan anderen overlaten, een uitzondering daargelaten zijn die op dit album ronduit bagger te noemen.......

Weer nieuws over de speedmetalband met de gave solos:

Matige titel, maar als het teruggrijpt naar de eerste 3 albums belooft het toch wel wat...

ANNIHILATOR To Unleash 'Metal' In April

SPV Records has set an April 16 European release date (April 13 in Germany) for the new ANNIHILATOR album, entitled "Metal". According to a press release, "Anybody reading the album title of the latest ANNIHILATOR release, 'Metal', will know what to expect. What we have here is no pseudo-intellectual moniker, no term that suggests pensiveness or indeed ambiguity, but boldness, directness and determination. It's a title that suits Jeff Waters' dynamic guitar style down to a tee. Like few other musicians, Waters' name stands for a tough-as-nails, energetic and always brilliant metal guitar."

Commented Waters: "It may sound a little strange when I say that the new album reminds me of the first three ANNIHILATOR recordings. You could be tempted to think that I am looking back artistically, when the opposite happens to be the case. I always try to evolve musically. But it's a fact that I composed the new material the way I went about the early ANNIHILATOR tracks. Instead of writing them with the help of state-of-the-art studio equipment and recording them immediately, almost all of the guitar riffs were developed on a simple ghetto blaster. I only went on to find a rhythm and arrangements to suit an idea if it really floored me."

The ten new tracks were recorded by Waters, playing guitar and bass and on lead vocals for one number ("Operation Annihilation"), drummer Mike Mangini and vocalist Dave Padden. A literal "army" of renowned guest musicians, whose names Waters will reveal soon, also dropped in to be a part of this. ANNIHILATOR fans had better brace themselves for a big surprise. Waters says, "This is one of the coolest guitar albums of all time. And I'm saying this despite the fact that I don't happen to be a friend of exaggerated superlatives. The fact is that 'Metal' is a dream-come-true for me, and this new ANNIHILATOR CD is going to rock and awe."

April will see ANNIHILATOR embark on a major European tour as speak no evil's special guests, playing over 40 shows until early May in countries such as Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Italy and France. "The business side of our career rests in capable hands at last," says the musician from Canada. "We have an ambitious record label, a committed management and a concert agency that knows how to present us."

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Op 3 februari 2007 14:19 schreef Mutilator het volgende:
Weer nieuws over de speedmetalband met de gave solos:

Matige titel, maar als het teruggrijpt naar de eerste 3 albums belooft het toch wel wat...

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Was het 3e album niet "Set The World On Fire"? Dat was een baggerplaat vond ik, dus als ze teruggrijpen naar de 1e 2 albums ben ik voor.

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Op 3 februari 2007 14:57 schreef blonde rockgod het volgende:
Was het 3e album niet "Set The World On Fire"? Dat was een baggerplaat vond ik, dus als ze teruggrijpen naar de 1e 2 albums ben ik voor.

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Helemaal met je eens en wat daarna uitkomt is heel wisselvallig van aflopend tot een soort wederopstanding met Criteria for a black widow wanneer een van mijn favo zangers Randy Rampage ff terugkeert.

Moet zeggen dat ik het daarna niet meer echt gevolgd heb; het nieuwere werk nodigde me niet echt uit er moeite voor te doen, al was het optreden op Wacken 2005 zeer overtuigend met een excellerende Waters!

Inderdaad Annihilator brokkelde na iedere volgend album een stukje meer af, tevens een band met zoveel line-up wisselingen kan nooit een stabiele factor worden in hun eigen karakteristieke geluid.
Daardoor is het niveau in topnummers als Human Insecticide ook nooit meer gehaald.

mwoa.. op elke plaat staan toch wel een paar erg goeie dingen... maar inderdaad ik geef toe dat er ook behoorlijke rotzooi tussenzit!

ben benieuwd die vorige was best ok

ANNIHILATOR NEWS: 02/19/07 -

Annihilator is considered by many to be the perfect example of an intelligent, sweaty, ever surprising metal act, having released a number of classics à la Alice In Hell, Never, Neverland, King Of The Kill, Carnival Diablos, Schizo Deluxe and others over the years. In April 2007, after a full year of writing and production, Annihilator will release Metal.

Metal’s ten new tracks were recorded by Jeff Waters (guitar, bass and lead vocals on one song), drum legend Mike Mangini and Dave Padden (long-time vocalist and touring guitarist/vocalist). Metal also features sensational performances by some of metal’s finest players and Annihilator’s good friends, like Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom), Danko Jones (Danko Jones), Michael Amott and Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy), Corey Beaulieu (Trivium), William Adler (Lamb Of God), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Jesper Strømblad (In Flames), Steve ´Lips` Kudlow (Anvil), Anders Bjørler (The Haunted), Mike Mangini (Steve Vai, Extreme, Annihilator), Jacob Lynam (Lynam) and more.

In view of these impressive omens, one should tend to believe Waters when he states: “Metal is going to be known as one of the coolest guitar albums out there but this is also one of the best-written records in my career; something that you can never achieve if you try… it just happens!”

Jeff Waters on the straightforward and unambiguous album title, Metal: “The new album reminds me of the first four Annihilator records. It’s then tempting to think that I’m looking back artistically, when the opposite happens to be the case. But it’s a fact that I composed the new material the same way I went about the early Annihilator tracks. This record combines many of the diverse styles you will find in metal music done our way. Annihilator Metal”

April will see Annihilator embark on a major European tour as Trivium’s very special guests, playing over 40 shows into June in countries such as Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Italy and France and then summer festival shows to follow.

Metal will be released April 11 in Japan (King Records), April 12 in Australia/New Zealand (World Riot Distributors), April 13 in Germany (SPV Records) and on April 16 in the rest of Europe (SPV Records).

TRACK LISTING:

01. Clown Parade – feat. Jeff Loomis (Nevermore)
02. Couple Suicide – feat. Danko Jones (Danko Jones) & Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy)
03. Army Of One – feat. Steve ´Lips` Kudlow (Anvil)
04. Downright Dominate – feat. Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)
05. Smothered – feat. Anders Bjørler (The Haunted)
06. Operation Annihilation – feat. Michael Amott (Arch Enemy)
07. Haunted – feat. Jesper Strømblad (In Flames)
08. Kicked – feat. Corey Beaulieu (Trivium)
09 . Detonation – feat. Jacob Lynam (Lynam)
10. Chasing The High – feat. William Adler (Lamb Of God)

Wat is dat toch met die gastmuzikanten op albums? Het eerste album met een dergelijk concept wat wel overtuigt moet ik nog tegenkomen.