ANNIHILATOR

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Vancouver based, speed orientated, Heavy Metal band ANNIHILATOR first came to attention with their opening 1985 'Welcome To Your Death' six song demo cassette, also known as the 'Psycho Metal Kids' tape. Guitarist and band mentor Jeff Waters is known for infusing his band with a creative edge personified by his inventive riffing style. Prior to founding ANNIHILATOR guitarist Jeff Waters had been a member of Ottawa's TROJAN HAMMER. Featuring a line-up of Waters, vocalist John Perinbam, bass player Kevin Jung and drummer Mike Lane TROJAN HAMMER only managed two gigs, at the Churchill Arms. Waters and Perinbam also assembled a recording project, along with drummer Mike Farmer, dubbed THE JEFF WATERS PROJECT prior to assembling the first ANNIHILATOR line-up.

At its earliest stage ANNIHILATOR was basically a duo of vocalist / guitarist Jeff Waters and vocalist John Bates. This pair would demo up the song 'Annihilator, with Waters handling all instrumentation, including the drums. Once this song had been put down onto tape, bass player David Scott was then enrolled but the trio's keenness to present the act as a full-blown band unit meant that friend Rob Lange, who had just rendered the demo artwork, stood in as a pseudo-drummer for the first ANNIHILATOR "band" photograph.

The outfit located a real drummer, Paul Malek, then expanded their sound by employing second guitarists Myles Rourke and Joe Bongiorno in quick, and equally fleeting, succession. Malek offered the basement of his mother's clothing store as rehearsal space and it was here that the 'Welcome To Your Death' sessions were conducted. However, Malek was to opt out and Québec native Richard Death manned the drums for a short period.

Reinstating Paul Malek, this line-up produced a further demo, billed 'Phantasmagoria' with Waters assuming lead vocals, after which ANNIHILATOR once again re-formulated. Interest had been gained from a business manager in Vancouver, prompting a relocation from Ottawa for the guitarist in August 1987. Once in British Columbia Waters set about constructing an entirely fresh band unit, being joined by second guitarist Casey Taeves and drummer Ray Hartmann. Taeves tenure would only last as long as a photo shoot. Singer Dennis Dubeau had been auditioned but Waters chose the peroxide maned hard drinking ex-D.O.A. and IRON GYPSY bassist RANDY RAMPAGE. D.O.A. had been a renowned act which also provided the launch platform for BLACK FLAG and DANZIG drummer Chuck Biscuits. Pre-ANNIHILATOR, Rampage had even issued a solo 12" EP in 1982. The new look ANNIHILATOR cut a two song 'Alison Hell' demo in 1988, this effort landing the band a deal with Roadrunner Records. Two further tracks, 'Wicked Mystic' and 'Word Salad', were also worked up during this period. Casey Taeves tenure was to last a matter of days, enough to appear in one official photograph. Bassist Wayne Darley enrolled in 1989. Meantime, erstwhile ANNIHILATOR drummer Paul Malek created IVORY KNIGHT alongside former Waters compatriot singer John Perinbam, for the demo 'Voices In Your Nightmare'.

ANNIHILATOR's traditional approach to Metal gave them prominence toward the end of the Thrash boom and their debut September 1989 album 'Alice In Hell' won them many converts. Acknowledged as one of the very finest works of the genre, 'Alice In Hell', assembled at Fiasco Bros. Studios during the latter half of 1988, was financed courtesy of a national Canadian government grant. Although guitarist Anthony Greenham, bassist Wayne Darley and former ASSAULT drummer Ray Hartmann are credited on the debut ANNIHILATOR album they did not take part in recording as Waters himself laid down all the instrumentation except drums.

Despite rapid progress, ructions within the band found Rampage out much to fans chagrin. Second guitarist Anthony Greenham, who had featured in the promotional video for the song 'Alison Hell', also made way for Dave Scott Davis. Although ANNIHILATOR had come late in the day in relation to the opening Thrash wave, the sheer quality and ferocity of the debut soon had many earmarking the group as a force to be reckoned with. Title track 'Alison Hell' made great inroads on the international Metal scene, generating solid album sales.

Taking 'Alison Hell' onto the road ultimately led to the dismissal of Rampage. Towards the close of a US / Canadian trek allied with TESTAMENT the singer apparently voiced concerns over commitments to his day job. Fearing this would jeopardise touring plans, Rampage was let go.

For 1990's 'Never Neverland' album the PANTHER and PRISONER credited singer Coburn Pharr took the vocal position, as ANNIHILATOR seemed poised on the edge of becoming a major act. Sections of the fanbase bemoaned the absence of Rampage’s high powered roar, despite Pharr’s greater range, and many were bemused by the oddball ‘Kraf Dinner’, an ode to macaroni and cheese. The bulk of 'Never, Neverland' stood up well though, capitalising on the debut. The band set out on a world tour as a single guitar combo, Scott Davis having lost his place, these shows including the prestigious European support slot to JUDAS PRIEST's 'Painkiller' tour. 'Never Neverland' doubled the sales of its illustrious predecessor but Waters still had his eye on potential recognition outside of the band though, as he auditioned for MEGADETH in 1990. According to Dave Mustaine Waters came close to securing the position but it was not to be. Once live work for 'Never Neverland' had been fulfilled, Pharr took his leave, only to return to the ranks shortly afterward as ANNIHILATOR also pulled in second guitar player Neil Goldberg. However, once again Pharr decamped, subsequently re-fronting OMEN. The band fractured yet further still as Ray Hartmann relinquished his post.

Further line-up changes though slowed progress with August 1993's 'Set The World On Fire' seeing another singer in Aaron Randall. Whilst Hartmann had contributed percussive work to three tracks, drum work on the song 'Phoenix Rising' was supplied by both and Mike Mangini and Rick Fedyk of DOUBLE DEALER and later of KING KARMA and BILLY BUTCHER repute. 'Set The World On Fire' mellowed the trademark sound somewhat, a factor picked up by both fans and critics alike. The single from the album featured a nod to their former touring colleagues by way of a rework of JUDAS PRIEST's 'Hell Bent For Leather'. The ANNIHILATOR formula of Waters, Randall, Goldberg, bassist Wayne Darley and drummer Mike Mangini took to the European stages, after which the drummer bailed out to join EXTREME in time for their 1994 Castle Donington festival appearance. Goldberg too exited, and was replaced by former guitarist Dave Scott Davis for a headlining Canadian tour and US dates supporting LILLIAN AXE. The beleaguered band stoically committed themselves to Japanese shows. Despite Darley being unable to participate on the Japanese dates, ANNIHILATOR soldiered on with former guitar player Dave Scott Davis covering the bass position. New man Randy Black took on drum duties. This quartet also embarked on a short run of US shows.

Further line-up shuffles continued and ANNIHILATOR in 1994, now minus their deal with Roadrunner Records, had Waters, now also tackling lead vocals, alongside drummer Randy Black. This duo delivered the 1994 album 'King Of The Kill' for the Music For Nations label. Subsequently Dave Scott Davis was reinstated and Cam Dixon was drafted on bass. Roadrunner too delivered a parting shot with the 'Bag Of Tricks' compilation in October, this valuable collection pooling demos, live material and previously unreleased songs 'Back To The Crypt', 'Gallery' and 'Fantastic Things'.

By 1996 ANNIHILATOR had effectively trimmed down to Waters, Scott Davis and Black. Drafted to promote the groove orientated 'Refresh The Demon' album, arriving in March 1996, would be bassist Lou Bujdoso. Label distribution for 'Refresh The Demon' included CMC International for the USA, Music For Nations in the UK and FEMS in Japan. Just prior to European gigs the band was dealt a heavy blow as Randy Black backed out. Drafting new drummer Dave Machander the shows still went ahead. Waters also took time out from his main act to guest on rather more mellow outings including POKERFACE's 1996 album 'Life's A Gamble' and the following year's self titled effort from THE DISTANCE. Roadrunner raided their archives further to issue the live album 'In Command' that November, comprising concerts fronted by both Rampage and Pharr line-ups and closing with a cover version of AC/DC's 'Live Wire'.

By the December 1996 effort, the suitably titled 'Remains' recorded at the guitarist's own Watersound Studios in Maple Ridge, ANNIHILATOR had effectively become Waters solo project. Having progressively retreated farther from their Thrash roots with each and every release, 'Remains', to the abject horror of their devoted following, took an even greater leap into the realms of Electro and even Dancecore. Contributing musicians included guitarist John Bates and singer Dave Steele. The following year the group's first label Roadrunner re-issued the band's early albums in re-mastered form adding additional demo tracks.

1999 had the band bowing to fan pressure and reinstating both Rampage and Hartmann for the much lauded 'Criteria For A Black Widow' album, a welcome return to the band’s former spirit and heaviness that unashamedly utilised visual, lyrical and musical themes from 'Alice In Hell'. Evolving yet again, the band pulled in new bass man Russell Bergquist. Randall and Hartmann meantime had founded SPEEED with SEVEN WITCHES and FROSTBITE guitarist Jack Frost for their 1999 album 'Powertrip Pigs'.

Ex-LIEGE LORD and OVERKILL man Joe Comeau joined the band in 2000 for 'Carnival Diablos', cementing theThrash revival. With riffs once more in abundance, the group offered up a latter day Metal classic in the gargantuan 'Hunter Killer' but their quirky Canadian humour, and penchant for food, failed them at the last post with the unaccredited 'Chicken & Corn'. Comeau would divert himself in late 2000 for a one off reunion with his erstwhile LIEGE LORD guitar partner Paul Nelson to cut a version of 'Too Scared To Run' for a URIAH HEEP tribute album.

February 2001 found ANNIHILATOR on a headlining tour of Germany supported by a strong billing of NEVERMORE, SOILWORK and RAWHEAD REXX. Drummer Ray Hartman would bow out in favour of a returning Randy Black. In his time away from the fold the drummer had also been busying himself with an ambitious German based conceptual project band entitled REBELLION. Fronted by erstwhile XIRON and BLACK DESTINY vocalist Michael Seifert REBELLION had been established by ex-GRAVE DIGGER men guitarist Uwe Lulis and bassist Tommi Göttlich, Black as drummer and with WARHEAD's Bjorn Eilen on second guitar. This unit issued the Shakespeare inspired 'A Tragedy In Steel' debut in March of 2002.

Throughout the latter half of 2001 ANNIHILATOR would be in preperation for a new studio album billed 'Waking The Fury' and slated for a March 2002 release through the German Steamhammer label. The European version came complete with a bonus live recording of 'Shallow Grave' whilst Japanese variants added a live 'Refresh The Demon', recorded in Rumania. During November guitarist Curran Murphy of AGGRESSION CORE and NEVERMORE joined the ranks. However, bassist David Scott would be forced out of the band due to injury. ANNIHILATOR announced European tour dates for April / May 2002, commencing in Vienna, Austria, backed up with strong support from SEVEN WITCHES and DEBASE.

In an odd twist of events Waters would end up joining the veteran epic Power Metal band SAVATAGE for their summer European 2002 dates. Al Pitrelli, SAVATAGE's regular and then only recently re-inducted six-stringer, was unable to make the tour due to prior commitments. ANNIHILATOR revealed during October they had signed to the German AFM label for a double live album suitably entitled 'Double Live Annihilation' set for early 2003 release. That same month it emerged that former ANNIHILATOR guitarist Neil Goldberg had assembled a Rap flavoured Nu-Metal project dubbed REDLIST, working in league with TALISMAN and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN veteran singer JEFF SCOTT SOTO, keyboard player and programmer Dave Fraser with a rapper named Eric.

Guitarist Curran Murphy garnered production credits with San Francisco Metal band VENGINCE, crafting their debut album at Smiley Studios in Seattle. ANNIHILATOR drummer Randy Black would deputise for German Power Metal band PRIMAL FEAR's summer 2003 US dates. He would also work with another German Metal act, REBELLION, and subsequently joined PRIMAL FEAR on a full term basis during August. In May vocalist Joe Comeau backed out and ANNIHILATOR duly replaced him with the Vancouver native Dave Padden. The band's European tour schedule throughout June and July saw appearances at the German 'Rock Harz' and 'Wacken Open Air' festivals, the Italian 'Summer Day In Hell' event, the Swiss 'Metal Dayz' gig and the 'Waldrock' Netherlands show.

With Randy Black firmly in position with PRIMAL FEAR the band welcomed back former drummer Mike Mangini in October for recording of a new studio album entitled 'All For You', released through The End Records in the USA and by the German AFM label. Bassist Russell Bergquist, pursuing a solo venture, exited the band in January of 2004. A new rhythm section of bassist Sandor de Bretan, previously with SUDDEN THUNDER, and drummer Rob Falzano would be installed during March. 'All For You' certainly presented a new sound for the band, fans and critics picking up on Padden's vocal similarities to Simon Le Bon and the music containing a good deal more diversity than before. Of these sessions, one track, 'Weapon X', did not make the final running order but would be subsequently issued as an internet download.

In other activity, Jeff Waters and Curran Murphy would have their composition 'Forever Ends' included on the April 2004 CANS 'Beyond The Gates' album, a solo effort from HAMMERFALL vocalist Joacim Cans. Also keeping himself active, Joe Comeau stepped in as temporary bassist for PAINMUSEUM's performance at the New Jersey 'March Metal Meltdown VI' festival. ANNIHILATOR gained a valuable round of support dates to JUDAS PRIEST's European dates in June.

In August it would be revealed that Jeff Waters had been holding talks with MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine. Waters, a man already holding a placing in MEGADETH's history, would be in consideration for the live line up of the band, but this union did not transpire. Waters would though be engaged as engineer on a remix project for fellow Canadian veterans EXCITER, remixing the band's first six albums, 'Heavy Metal Maniac' (1983), 'Violence and Force' (1984), 'Long Live the Loud' (1985), 'Better Live Than Dead' (1990), 'Unveiling the Wicked' (1986) and 'O.T.T.' (1988) for re-ssue by Megaforce Records. Another project under proposal would be an all new band unit also featuring ANNIHILATOR singer Dave Padden.

In October Jeff Waters created some media waves by brazenly claiming he was "the fastest/tightest-picking guitarist in the world." Pointedly, not too many people came forward to refute his claims. 2005 opened with the guitarist contributing guitar work for Spanish Thrash Metal band LEGEN BELTZA's conceptual track dubbed 'War of Wars' included on their album 'Dimension Of Pain'. Waters and Curran also guested on the 2005 album 'Repent Or Seal Your Fate' by Hannover Thrashers RECKLESS TIDE. Waters The also guested on 2005 solo album recordings by Greek keyboard player BOB KATSIONIS.

In March 2005 the former ANNIHILATOR pairing of lead vocalist Randy Rampage and drummer Ray Hartmann teamed up with bassist Stu Carruthers of GRIP INC. and JUST CAUSE, guitarist Ash Blue, ex-STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, and guitarist/vocalist Kick from VERTICAL AFTER to forge the "Urban Punk / Metal" band STRESS FACTOR 9. Meantime, Curran Murphy announced his new project, SHATTER MESSIAH. Fronting the band would be BREAKER and ex-ARCHETYPE singer Greg Wagner with ANNIHILATOR's Rob Falzano on drums. ANNIHILATOR returned in September 2005 with the 'Schizo Deluxe' album, the band's eleventh studio opus having Waters and Padden joined by Ottawa native Tony Chappelle on drums. 'Schizo Deluxe' closed the circle in the group’s steady musical journey back towards 'Alice In Hell'. Reaction to the new records unbridled retro-thrash, particularly in Europe, was ecstatic. ANNIHILATOR would be rejoined by bassist Russ Bergquist for European touring.

In early January 2006 Dave Padden announced the formation of Heavy Metal concept SILENT STRAIN, a unit hailing from Canada, Denmark and Russia, comprising MNEMIC guitar player Mircea Eftemie Gabriel, second guitarist Cory McBain of CYANOTIC, bassist Rick Struve from GOD AWAKENS and CIVIL RUIN and Igor Chiefot on the drums. The following month ex-ANNIHILATOR man Joe Comeau joined Swedish Metal band TAD MOROSE as their new frontman.

European gigs were announced for July but then postponed in order to complete album recordings. However, ANNIHILATOR did still play the Spanish 'Metalway' festivals, in Guernika and Jerez, as a quartet with Waters, Dave Padden handling both vocals and rhythm guitar, a returning bassist Russ Bergquist and drummer Ryan Ahoff.

To promote the succinctly titled 'Metal' album, a mammoth European tour kicked off with a two night stand at the Ambassador in Dublin, Ireland on April 8th 2007 supporting TRIVIUM. The band acted as guests for the entire trek, which covered the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.