Ballistic, Sadistic

Ballistic, Sadistic is a work on which Jeff Waters-led Annihilator concentrates, at extremely high density, the speed particular to thrash metal, developments with odd-meter twists and black humor. In recent years Waters himself has doubled on vocals, and that consistent vision gives the work a sharp, unified outline. The songs cut sharply with keen riffs yet never end in a straight line, always strongly drawing the listener’s ear with deft changes of tempo and phrase. From the aggressive drive of the opener “Armed to the Teeth” and the drama of “Psycho Ward” to cuts like “I Am Warfare,” “The Attitude” and “Dressed Up for Evil,” the songs hold the violence of the title, yet their playing has sure playfulness and craftsman-like precise organization. Its appeal is that, while fully foregrounding fast picking and outstanding technique, what finally leaves the strongest impression is the powerful character of the riffs themselves. You can fully savor Annihilator’s dangerous, intelligent fun, unchanged since the 1980s debut, in modern, powerful sound. Showing a veteran’s underlying strength, it is a powerful, fulfilling technical-thrash work.