Search - Annihilator :: Double Live Annihilation

A must have for your collection

William R. Minto | Michigan, USA | 05/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Annihilator are the relentless dandelion band out of the 80s trash scene in Canada. A great band that emerged just at the wrong time, during the ascendancy of grunge. Sort of like Dream Theater hitting just a little late. Not to say that Annihilator is as progressive as DT, but they do have their moments. Check out the highly proggy and very DT-like "Lunatic Asylum". "Phantasmagoria" is a classic of epic proportions that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Trapped Under Ice and Creeping Death. Overall, Annihilator are heavier than Metallica, with Slayer, Testament, Megadeth, Onslaught, Pantera and even Disturbed "colors" noticeable too. They can even get into a Rush ("Bliss"), Judas Priest ("Striker") or AC/DC groove ("Shallow Grave"). But high-octane, wall-of-Marshalls pedal-tone CRUNCH ("Refresh the Demon","King of the Kill","The Blackest Day","I Am in Command") dominates -- all great classic 80s style trash/speed-metal). If you are playing this in your car, please WATCH your SPEEDO! I'll go out on a limb here and say that the best track is the more mid-tempo "Torn" which blends their influences into a synergy that is irreducible to them and therefore sound ORIGINAL. "Alison Hell" and "Never, Neverland" are others one that have that DISTINCT "Annihilator" sound. Lyrically, some of this material reminds me, again, of Dream Theater. Compare "Never, Neverland" with DT's "Strange Deja Vu" from Scenes from a Memory or "Space Dye Vest" from Awake.



This live 2-CD set covers their entire career and gives a nice representative sampling of their styles. The production values are also OUTSTANDING. This really captures the mood of intensity, power, aggression and the raw energy of a good metal concert. Sometimes the crowd mix is a bit obtrusive, but otherwise if you like this style of music, it's really hard to find flaws. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."

Wish I was there!

Mr. Matthew A. Thomas | East Malvern, Victoria, Australia | 03/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased Annihilator's cd "Double Live Annihilation" about 9 months ago but didn't actually play it until 5 months ago. Although a huge Annihilator fan (I own all their albums) I generally don't like live albums much prefering studio versions of songs. I put disc 1 in the player with trepidation and was amazed at the excellent sound quality and frenetic vibe of the concert - the energy that Annihilator maintain from start to finish is sensational! Now I almost always have one or both discs in the car or one of the home cd players. The track selection is very well chosen, although I would have loved to have "Second To None" there also (instead of "Striker" perhaps).Disc 2 starts with "Set The World On Fire" and the crowd participation is great here, everyone yelling "hey" in unison! If we must talk highlights, then "Murder" gets proceedings off to a roaring start, also "King Of The Kill", the aforementioned "Set The World On Fire", "Never Neverland" and "Phantasmagoria" - which thrashes like mad!I own all the live albums by Kiss, Judas Priest and Dokken but this is the first live cd that I have constantly returned to. I think a double cd was a smart move - it's like having two separate 45 minute sets instead of one continuous 75 minute set which can be a bit draining.Thank you Jeff Waters and co. - please tour Melbourne, Australia!"