Refresh the Demon

Refresh the Demon is a fifth album on which Annihilator again foregrounds its own appeal of coexisting sharp riff bite and big, singable choruses. Following the previous King of the Kill, led by Jeff Waters, it powerfully reignites sharp thrash and sure heavy-metal hooks. Complex guitar work moves the songs finely and freely, yet at their core is an extremely clear heavy-metal drive. From the aggression of the opening title track “Refresh the Demon” and the drama of “City of Ice” to cuts like “The Pastor of Disaster,” “Awaken” and “Syn. Kill 1,” even in aggressive songs the outline of the phrases is always clear. Jeff Waters’s powerful character as composer and player strongly remains throughout. A record that splendidly answers ears seeking both the taut tension particular to thrash metal and memorable catchiness. Without running too far into technique, it values the songs’ powerful appeal. Showing Annihilator’s fullness in the mid-1990s, it is a powerful, engaging record — Waters’s skill shining.