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It was 1994, and Annihilator had reached the release of their fourth album, after an excellent debut ("Alice in Hell") and two other notable episodes ("Never Neverland" and "Set the world on fire").
In this album, we find Jeff Waters arranging the guitars, bass, and vocal lines, and the good Randy Black on percussion. Over the years, Annihilator has been subject to constant line-up changes, but Annihilator has always been a band made up of excellent musicians. The album presents itself as a very complex work, technical at times, with a very clean sound, truly convincing and driving riffs, well-marked rhythms, and excellent bass work. The album opens with "The Box", a mid-tempo track that, in my opinion, is not a great opener; it is followed by the title track, which after a roar (of lions!) immediately begins with the sharp guitar riff, and here the percussion does a good job; the song continues fast but quite short (just over 3 minutes!). A sweet arpeggio of clean guitars opens the beautiful "Hell is a War": heavy riffs, blues rhythms, and a great solo make this song one of the most interesting chapters of the record. Just a minute of instrumental (bliss) and then the fast "Second To None," which recalls the style of Annihilator from "Alice in Hell". Annihilator is a sick, very catchy song. It is followed by the vulgar "21", which contains, in my opinion, one of the best riffs of the album. "In the Blood" is the ballad of the album, very emotional and with beautiful lyrics. "Fiasco (The Slate)" immediately gives us a sense of the atmosphere in the tenth track, "Fiasco": this last one seems to have been written as a joke, but being an excellent song, it fits well among the others. The strong instrumental of the album is "Catch the Wind", really beautiful, technical at the right point, with notable bass work. To end beautifully, the last two songs "Speed" and "Bad Child", are very delightful.
All in all, it is truly a great work from this genuine band that goes by the name "Annihilator". Meanwhile, this summer, I will finally see them for the first time at the "Evolution Festival".
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 The Box (05:30)
I am a box, I am a scream
I'm every nightmare, I'm every dream
I am the window over your land
so turn me on, come take my hand
don't push me
I offer you scandal, I offer a wealth
of gratuitous violence, hazardous to your health
I give the vision, of how life should be
I choose your heroes, come follow me
come follow me
it's just a box, it's just a screen
it's only a nightmare, it's only a dream
we give the vision, of how life should be
we choose our own heroes, come follow me
02 King of the Kill (03:12)
I rule the jungle, I rule it with pride
I'm judge and jury, your life I decide
I have awakened for my nightly feast
a reign of terror, beware of the beast
don't try to run there's no way to survive
a vicious surrender I'll eat you alive
no one is safe until I get my fill
all hear my warning I'm king of the kill
KILL
stalking the land for the scent of my prey
stopping for nothing don't get in my way
left to the vultures your life is denied
I rule the jungle I rule it with pride
05 Second to None (05:15)
Hello, are you looking for me? I'm the one to ease your pain
just call me 'The Doctor' and I prescribe cocaine
I am your reason to live, I'm your church and I'm your pastor
c'mon, you've got nothin to lose, it's time to bring you up a little faster
it's time to kill let's have some fun
you'll fight - I'll win, 'cause I'm second to none
it's not the first time that you've taken the bait
you don't need anyone cause I will be your soul mate
c'mon and taste me, I'll take you where you want to go
let's fly to the mountains, you can bury yourself in the snow
it's time to kill let's have some fun
you'll fight - I'll win, 'cause I'm second to none
you need me and I want you cause I'm the Devil's son
you'll fight - I'll win, 'cause I'm second to none
welcome to my world, I hope you see there's no way out
just look around you, I'll take you higher just so scream
scream it out
I am your reason to live, I'm the power that runs in the veins
you can bet your ass, I'll take you down but
you've only yourself to blame
06 Annihilator (04:28)
the storm is coming closer,
spreading out,
infecting like disease
(like a disease)
all life below,
is crushed under the power of machine
annihilator (this machine) annihilator
annihilator (this machine) annihilator
rumble
lighting rips the sky at night,
his power paints the city blood red
(blood red)
nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,
don't look behind cause you're dead
annihilator (now you're dead) annihilator
annihilator (now you're dead) annihilator
you're trapped alone
filled with fear
there's no one to help you
the storm is coming closer,
spreading out, infecting like disease
(like a disease)
all life below,
is crushed under the power of machine
annihilator (this machine) annihilator
annihilator (this machine) annihilator
rumble
07 21 (04:24)
Welcome to the Hothouse,
the game is called "21"
I was in debt right up to my neck,
I wasn't having any fun
But then the dealer turned around,
she looked me right in the eye
I got no time for a messing around
but you know I had to give it a try
She's got me under the gun - she can't have 21
She asked me why I was takin' my time,
sweat running down my neck
I had the 6, the lady got 9
from the bottom of the deck
A 4 for me, it was a good thing,
but she was sitting on a face
I said hit me with your best
shot and she gave me the ace
She's got me under the gun - she can't have 21
I've got to be the chosen one - she can't have 21
I've gotta win,
I gotta win or I might as well be dead
God let me win,
just let me win, or I might as well be dead
She's got me under the gun - she can't have 21
I've got to be the chosen one - she can't have 21
Deuce's up, dealer has 21. No-o-o-o-o!
10 Fiasco (03:56)
you take time to cut me down
you're a fool, you're the talk of the town
so jealous, can't you see
it's your own insecurity
your life is a mess
slightly obsessed
are you a paranoid schizo?
what a fiasco
looking for scandal, you're under the gun
'cause I'm havin' so much fun
they say you're missing a screw
this laugh is just for you, ha!
I don't hold any grudges
I'm such a nice guy
forgive and forget or better yet
good-bye
13 Bad Child (03:39)
My father tried to tell me son just get your feet on the ground
you're in deep way over your head just turn your life around
poor mother, all I gave to her was pain - I didn't realize
the last thing I remember was the tears running from her eyes
somethin' happened along the way - I was a bad child
somethin' happened they'd always say - I was a little wild
I was a bad child
playin' hookey, drinkin' octane, I didn't care anymore - no
always runnin' against the grain, I was rotten to the core
I could live forever - until they threw me out the door
I was a sleeping on the floor
somethin' happened along the way - I was a bad child
somethin' happened they'd always say - I was a little wild
I was a bad child
My father tried to tell me son, just get your feet on the ground
you're in deep, way over your head, I've turned my life around
my mother was the best to me, I guess I never realized
one thing that I'll never forget was the tears running from her eyes
somethin' happened along the way - I was a bad child
somethin' happened they'd always say - I was a little wild
somethin' happened along the way now I'm livin' for a better day
somethin' happened along the way - I was a bad child
runnin' wild
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