Thrash Album Of The Year? - Annihilator - Ballistic, Sadistic

It was bound to happen.  One of the “Big 4” thrash bands of old has hung up their chains.  Slayer  bid their final farewell (unless they follow the example of Kiss, and have encore tours upon encore tours), leaving us with the “Big 3” of Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax.  It was a sad day for us old-school metal-heads.

Enter Annihilator with their latest LP, just released January 24^th of 2020. These guys have been around since the 80’s as well, and Ballistic, Sadistic (Neverland Music) puts them squarely in contention to fill that open spot on the ticket.

Jeff Waters, the lone remaining founding member of the band, holds down not only lead guitar but also lead vocals on the last 2 records. While the band has been prolific in both recording and performing over the last 35 years, it’s not hard to argue that the recent efforts represent a huge resurgence. Jeff says he is approaching his writing differently, and with little regard for commercial appeal. Rather than ensuring his choruses are filled with memorable hooks, he is allowing the aggression and fury to flow through the entire track. After listening several times through Ballistic, Sadistic, I am of the opinion that it works.

The album starts off with an explosion. "Armed To The Teeth" is armed with all the tools necessary for a classic thrasher. Mustaine-esque vocals embedded in crushing distorted guitar and lightning double-kick drums.

                "The Attitude" is, indeed, a track filled with attitude. There is a punk-rock influence woven through the thrash.

                Of all the songs on the album, "Psycho Ward" may be the most commercial song of the bunch. While it does have a catchy chorus repeatedly laced throughout, it also feels like a thrasher from days gone by.

                "I Am Warfare" showcases just how tight the band is, and once again carries a Megadeth vibe, ala So Far So Good… So What. War sounds punctuated by tight staccato machine-gun metal, with all instruments as ammunition, mark the aggression of the track.

                The brutality continues through "Out With The Garbage," "Dressed Up For Evil" (perhaps my favorite track on the album), and "Riot," with fantastic, lightning fast guitar solos.

"Lip Service" brings a touch of tongue-in-cheek (pun intended) double-entendre humor to the record, with more than just inuendo. It’s a fun romp through the sexuality of 80’s rock, laid upon a bed of classic heavy metal.

                For all the power of Ballistic, Sadistic, "The End Of The Lie" is definitely the crescendo to finish the collection.

                Listening from front to back, Ballistic, Sadistic has everything it needs, and makes a solid argument to be the best thrash album of the year. There is a lot of 2020 to come, and we are expecting some great new heavy music over the next 11 months, but this effort is a great way to start the year. If anything surpasses the new Annihilator album, it will, indeed, be a solid record!

                Now we have the makings of another Big 4 tour!