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Rating:
If there's something that, in my opinion, makes music an art, it's expressiveness. I'm referring to the moment when, reading and interpreting the lyrics of a song, you realize that the melody had already suggested the topic to you. This is what "Alice In Hell" is, this is who Jeff Waters is: the album is art, the composer (by syllogism) is an artist, a genius.
From the Opener Track, you can already understand what kind of listening experience you are in for. "Crystal Ann" is pure poetry, of a refinement that is no longer of this world. One cannot help but be enchanted by its melody, which truly holds the value of a crystal. What this gem manages to convey can only be compared to a piece of classical music (though, of course, we're talking about a completely different genre). And then we plunge into the horror of "Alison Hell". The essence of the product is given by the first bass notes, which immediately catapult us close to Alison and the nightmare she lives. Here is the pinnacle of expressiveness, in the song that best identifies Jeff Waters's greatness, which will remain his best composition ever (I write this considering the band's genre, otherwise the crown would go to "Crystal Ann").
Then we move on to "WTYD", where Jeff delves into the theme of death. I must highlight the beauty of the piece's central part, resembling a mix between classical and a composition by Goblin. With "Wicked Mystic" and "Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade", the tone drops a bit (especially with the latter), but objectively, we are still faced with two good tracks. We return to the macabre with "Word Salad", and it couldn't be otherwise when the topic is lobotomy. And here, Waters also showcases all his guitar techniques, alongside his usual compositional greatness. What to say about "Schizos"? The song is all in the title. Moreover, it represents a nice pounding of healthy thrash. A track of violence, filled with technique and sublime anti-harmony. Before Annihilator, Edgar Allan Poe was also an inspiration for Iron Maiden, who composed "Murders In The Rue Morgue" from the story by the writer. Jeff presents us with "Ligeia" instead. One must recognize that, for the theme addressed, the work of the Annihilator's leader is quite superior to what Iron did. Here we are at the conclusion, with "Human Insecticide" and its viciousness, the same one that has accompanied us so far (even though the concluding track doesn't quite measure up to the others). Another good piece, though not deserving of high praises.
What I have reported in this review of mine is undoubtedly loaded with subjectivity, but I don't think one can speak negatively of "Alice in Hell". As we know, popularity has never been in the cards for Annihilator; the band has always remained quite in the shadows, and in 1989 (the year of the CD's release), another masterpiece came out by a group that had already attracted millions of fans: I'm referring to "Master of Puppets" by Metallica. Perhaps the reason for the little fame Annihilator will enjoy is due to the fact that this band emerged late, while Metallica and Slayer had already conquered the hearts of thrashers. However, I challenge anyone not to recognize the magnificence of Waters's work.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
02 Alison Hell (05:00)
Alice isn't it frightening
Alice aren't you scared
Alice isn't it wonderful
Living life afraid
Don't look around the corner
I might be lurking there
Under the bed at night
You're up till dawn again
Chorus:
Alison Hell, your mind begins to fold
Alison Hell, aren't you growing cold
Alison Hell, you are looking blue
Alice In Hell, what else can you do
I begin my rule, life hideous in your mind
Crying out you've lost your doll, it isn't worth a dime
Chorus:
Alison Hell, your mind begins to fold
Alison Hell, aren't you growing cold
Alison Hell, what are you looking for
Alice In Hell, soon i close the door
Bridge:
Sitting in the corner, you are naked and alone
No one listens to your fears, you've created me
Alice isn't it frightening
Alice aren't you scared
I was killed at birth
I shoot this final scene
You're in the basement
You're trapped insanity
Chorus:
Alison Hell, what were you looking for
Alison Hell, as I close the door
Alison Hell, here you shall dwell
Alice In Hell, Alice dwells in hell
03 W.T.Y.D. (03:56)
["death seen through the eyes of the dying and a summons from the great beyond to join the masses of lapsed lives. mystery and, sometimes, fantasy. theory and legend. the plight of dying or the fight to freedom? a supernatural transition to a world that is known only in dreams and in death. welcome..."]
catch a shooting star, burn it to a crisp
born into death, will you take the risk
see buckets and buckets, yeah buckets of sin
you'll never end and can never begin
welcome to your death
welcome to your death
welcome to your death
no forest of pleasure or fields of pain
high-rise at night see the pavement of stain
a beckoning hand from those who were slain
now you can sleep again
welcome to your death
welcome to your death
welcome to your death
i take the night and i stretch it wide
and i see all, you hide, i died
so slip right in, sip the wine
the caution flashes but the water's fine
welcome to your death
welcome to your death
welcome to your death
04 Wicked Mystic (03:38)
All throughout the centuries, existing year to year
Lives on the powerful entity to thrive on pain and fear
A derelict of heavenly Gods, a feeling from within
Weakened minds are perfect prey, corrosion will begin
Chorus:
Some won't fight, the battle is forsaken
Show no might, the dark side has awakened
Even in the holiest the curious can be found
Their wonderment is dangerous as virtue is but bound
Moral codes broken
What's the sin that lurks within, the burning emotion of hatred
Repeat Chorus
Wicked Mystic
Hatred lurks in all of us, no one is exempt
It's proof of evil in our souls, is this the tempter's intent
A derelict of heavenly Gods, a feeling from within
Weak minds are perfect prey for corrosion to begin
Repeat Chorus
Wicked Mystic
Wicked Mystic, Mystic
Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade
Excess perversion, and we'll never let it end
You and I are making a private legend
We've got the hunger, got the thirst
You want it slow, our bodies glow, nails rake my back
Chorus:
Tongue licks sweet parade
Animal lust, and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
Drippin' wet, we laugh at this charade
Screams of love in the air tonight
and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
Gratification, do you want some more
On the bed, entangled on the floor
Feel my eyes burn, we writhe until the dawn
Tease and please, humility is gone
Repeat Chorus
Excess perversion, and we'll never let it end
You and I are making a private legend
Feel my eyes burn, feel everything
On my knees, but I reign as your king
Repeat Chorus
05 Burns Like a Buzzsaw Blade (03:34)
excess perversion, and we'll never let it end
you and i are making a private legend
we've got the hunger, got the thirst
you want it slow, our bodies glow, nails rake my back
tongue licks sweet parade
animal lust and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
dripping wet, we laugh at this charade
screams of love in the air tonight and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
gratification, do you want some more
on the bed, entangled on the floor
feel my eyes burn, we writhe until the dawn
tease and please, humility is gone
tongue licks sweet parade
animal lust and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
dripping wet, we laugh at this charade
screams of love in the air tonight and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
come on
what are you waiting for...
excess perversion, and we'll never let it end
you and i are making a private legend
feel my eyes burn, feel everything
on my knees, but i reign as your king
tongue licks sweet parade
animal lust and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
dripping wet, we laugh at this charade
screams of love in the air tonight and it burns like a buzzsaw blade
06 Word Salad (05:49)
Closets of my mind destroyed, as I enter outward from a void
Corpses white have strapped me down, I rise above then fall
Tactual hallucination, cockroaches infest the wall
Psychic pain on ice, I hurt
Devoid strength my life, inert
Anger fills they've shocked me back
White corpses turn to black
I run on psychic gasoline, my fuel shall burn you all
Chorus:
Word Salad, no ballad
Word Salad, no ballad
Diabolic plot, a toy, my brain the corpses to destroy
Prick my arm, injection fed, it's poison, I'm no fool
Tetanus shot, be sure it's not, I wish I were at school
Closets of my mind destroyed, but I enter inward, black void
Hatred turns to apathy, led down this dark abyss,
Good night, farewell you pig from hell, this world I shall not miss
Chorus:
Word Salad, no ballad
Word Salad
Woken up from death, nausea
Catatonic stupor, anoxia
Remaining still I hold onto a sense of permanence
Negativistic fear of pain, algophobic life sentence
Moral, physical decay, hatred withered away
Scourge of God he makes me pay, I shall not live or die
Vegetative judgment passed, my only thought to cry
08 Ligeia (04:47)
I do not remember, where we did meet
Lengthened years have built my mind, memories undeep
Yet with instability, one thing stands too clear
Lady perfection, mystery, of whom I shed a tear
Chorus:
Airwoven divinity, mind, soul in victory
Cured of her malady, could this be my lost;
Ligeia
Repeat Chorus
Sickness fell upon Ligeia, all knew she would die
Midnight came to lay her rest, farewell
Opium dreams, grief-stricken years, I took another bride
Replacing that which I did have, Ligeia why
Repeat Chorus (x2)
Bridge:
Chronic disease, my luck cursed
My new wife has died
Coming from her bed of death, I thought I heard her cry
Could a corpse cold, stiff, sedate, sob in the bed it lie
Approaching her, I chilled to stone, for it did swiftly rise
I can never be mistaken, there were, they were, Ligeia's eyes
Chorus:
Airwoven, divinity, mind, soul in victory
Cured of her malady, could this be my lost;
Ligeia
Airwoven divinity, tears shed, vitality
Cured of her malady, yes this is my lost;
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By So che?
From the first song, you understand why Jeff Waters is considered a great.
Without a doubt, this was the best lineup Waters ever had.
