Artist: Annihilator
Label: AFM / The End Records
Release Date: 10/26/04
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Title: All for You Artist: Annihilator Label: AFM / The End Records Release Date: 10/26/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Jeff just keeps trying, doesn't he? I've always had trouble understanding how a guitarist as talented as Jeff Waters can put out so much crap. Even in the glory days, Annihilator never made it to the middle tier of the thrash world, but they did have a love for the music that you had to respect. And while I've never been a huge fan of the band, I've always really liked Mr. Waters.
"One word review: Poor."
Of course, All For You is really putting that to the test. Like all Annihilator albums, this record has some cool riffs, but it is instantly ruined by inept arrangements and vocals. Jeff Waters seems to be able to write good riffs but not good songs. The songwriting on this record is far below his last two records, Carnival Diablos and Criteria For A Black Widow, something that becomes painfully obvious once the chorus to the title track kicks in.
Many of the songs on this record have cheesy, sing-songy choruses that could just as easily have made their way onto a new Warrant release. The lyrics themselves compete with Dream Evil for the worst in metal, as evidenced by song titles like "Dr. Psycho" and "Demon Dance" (possible sequel to the Monster Mash?). But as is always the case, there are some cool, but wasted, riffs littered throughout the album, and the most successful track is the instrumental that closes the record.
I really think that Mr. Waters should consider finding a writing partner that could help him put his ideas together. Good riffs can't save an album that is as unfocused and sophomoric sounding as this. I'm still a fan of Waters as a guitarist, I just think Annihilator would benefit from being more than the brainchild of one single man. One word review: Poor.
Death's Review:
The band once referred to as Canada's answer to Metallica are back with their latest studio album, All For You. Frankly, I stopped keeping track of Annihilator after 1989's Alice in Hell and 1990's Never, Neverland. But, despite numerous lineup changes over the years, guitarist and Annihilator mainman Jeff Waters has managed to keep the name alive for a whole new generation of fans.
"The album is solid, and if you are a longtime Annihilator fan who has stuck with Waters through the years you will not be disappointed." All For You is the first album to feature new vocalist Dave Padden. He has a talented voice, but it is mildly cheesy from time to time, perhaps as much a product of the style, sub-genre and songwriting as anything else. The album is solid, and if you are a longtime Annihilator fan who has stuck with Waters through the years you will not be disappointed. If, however, you are a fourteen year old metalcore fan, I doubt that you will be interested. The album as a whole is well-produced and well-performed (with quality and thorough packaging complete with production notes penned by Waters himself), but the songwriting is kinda silly and somewhat schizophrenic. Still, Waters' trademarked rhythmic picking, melodic harmonized guitar runs and galloping riffs are present which should be more than enough for some of you. Some may dig the more modern Hatebreed style hardcore mixed with clean vocal parts heard on opener "All For You" (this should clearly be the first single and the video). Others will be turned off by the corniness factor of the lyrics to tracks such as "Dr. Psycho," or the "raise your cigarette lighters" type vibe to ballads like "The One." It all depends on your tolerance for this sort of thing.
Personally, I like to think of some of this as having a bit of a camp factor, performed with tongue planted firmly in cheek with the sort of Canadian brand of humor you hear with a band like Strapping Young Lad. I like the Metallica feel of "Bled," where Padden sounds like Hetfield, and the guitar solos get a nice long section within which to run free. I love the paranoia evoked within the technicality on "Both of Me" ("I think I hear the footsteps, we've gotta run like hell!"). But in the end, this record is clearly not for everyone. And while there is some interesting material on here for old-school Annihilator fans, most of you can keep moving, 'cause there's nothing much for you to see here.
Hel's Review:
Let's just get this out there: the cheese factor is undeniably high on Annihilator's latest, All for You. I am convinced that this is almost wholly a result of the words - both the lyrics and the vocal performance. Most of the music is actually very good, with the best song on the album being the thrash instrumental that closes the album, entitled "The Sound of Horror." The worst song is, hands down, the ballad, "Holding On." This track deserves a punch to the ">|" button, if you know what I mean.
"The guitar riffs are the highlight of the album." As I mentioned, the words are where it all breaks down. Many of the lyrics are utterly laughable, and not in a good way. The vocalist tries to exhibit a number of styles with his delivery on different songs, but in my opinion, fails to be good at any of them. In combination, pain results. I'm certain that if I had a fancy machine that could strip the vocals from the recording, I'd find a solid album underneath. The guitar riffs are the highlight of the album, and are the reason to bother with it, if you choose to.
I wasn't really expecting a lot from this album, yet I was still disappointed. The Annihilator name deserves better than this, and I believe they would have delivered a better product, if not for the vocalist. It may be possible that someone else could have pulled off the silly lyrics, but I really just didn't enjoy anything about this guy's voice. Jeff Waters has my utmost respect for both his talent and his dedication to music. I continue to root for the band even though I probably will never listen to this record again. Sentimentality props up this score.
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