Artist: Annihilator
Label: Metal-Is
Release Date: 1/23/01
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Title: Carnival Diablos Artist: Annihilator Label: Metal-Is Release Date: 1/23/01 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Annihilator have returned with a new album that is marked both by great change and the status quo. Of course, we all realize that that previous statement is contradictory and pointless, but it’s the type of moronic expression that writers use to make themselves feel profound.
"Annihilator have returned with a new album that is marked both by great change and the status quo." Basically, this record sounds like the Annihilator we’ve known and loved all this time, but the band has branched outward, especially when it comes to the songwriting aspect of it all. While the general feeling that was portrayed on this band’s last record, Criteria for a Black Widow, is still ever present, Annihilator have incorporated more melodic and less aggressive passages that sometimes border on power ballad. A cleaner vocal style is utilized as well during some of these breaks in the aggression, but fear not loyal fans, it is all done in relatively good taste.
First off, the weakest part of this band, namely Randy Rampage, is not present. The removal of his dated, Penguin from Batman delivery has made this record much more enjoyable for me. The new vocals, while definitely thrash, are not too different in nature, but are much more pleasing to the ear. They’re actually sung rather than just quacked out.
Of course, the mainstay of this band, and the only thing that is truly exceptional about them, in my opinion, is the guitar work. The guitar sound is still of a very tight, condensed distortion that has been the trademark of this band from the beginning, in fact it would probably sound too thin if it weren’t for the heft of the guitar riffs themselves. And this is, at the same time, the best part and the greatest limitation of this band. The guitars are so awesome, but they have little else to support it. The rhythm section seems just thrown in to support the riffs, rather than to complement them. But I’ve had this problem with almost every one of this band’s albums, so the long time fan shouldn’t be disappointed in the least.
Death's Review:
Jeff Waters and Annihilator play 80's metal. I mean that in its most complimentary sense. Waters plays killer eighties-inspired quasi-technical thrash. Yet it is thrash with a strong traditional, heavy metal foundation. In 2001, this is what sets Annihilator apart. Priest. Maiden. Savatage. AC/DC. Megadeth. Metallica. These are the names which Waters embraces on Carnival Diablos. To the styles of these heroes he adds the Jeff Waters touch. Which means lots and lots of riffing, and wild guitar solos flying everywhere. And that guitar sound. You know, the seriously artificially distorted, plastic and nine-volt battery, $29.99 Super Death Metal Distortion pedal on eleven. Fuck warm, fuzzy natural tones. Check out the opening riffs: "Wel-come to dark-ness, the fut-ure is here!" The sound of that riff grabs my attention every time I hear it.
"Lots and lots of riffing, and wild guitar solos flying everywhere." And former Leige Lord singer, Overkill guitarist and now Annihilator singer Joe Comeau actually kicks ass. Right off the bat he busts out with some Blitz-style high pitched stuff in the chorus of that opener, "Denied." His versatility is impressive: At varying intervals he sounds like Jon Oliva, Chuck Billy and Bobby Blitz. No matter what he is doing, he's doing it well.
The album's greatest strength is probably its greatest weakness. Its diversity is its lack of focus. Its flexibility is its lack of direction. Too many styles, too many completely different directions lose the listener. I want to hear Annihilator riffing and songwriting, not AC/DC covers (I swear at first I thought "Shallow Grave" had to be an AC/DC cover). But make no mistake about it, the rifffing does appear. And every song is catchy, and most are pretty good. "Battered" kicks sick thrashy-ass, and the immature lyrics only add to the mid-to-late Exodus era fun (" . . . a vicious attack!!!"). The title track is a good one, reminding me a bit of Oliva-style Savatage doing a heavier track at times. Comeau sounds so much like Halford during part of "Time Bomb" (" . . . bleeding, pleading!!!") that you'll swear it's the Metal God himself. "The Rush" is catchy, a little "commercial" (at least we would have called in that in the 80's), and a whole lot of fun. I dare you not to bang your head and sing along.
"All in all, you gotta hand it to Waters. He sticks to his guns. He plays 80's metal." "Insomniac" is more classic Annihilator fun. Great, cheesy lyrics, like we haven't gotten a steady dose of since that classic bordering on cheese -era where "The Toxic Waltz" was king. Like the lyrics to "Insomniac". "A full blown insomniac. You're getting ready for the next attack. So go on and try and rest your head. But you just can't, just can't, can't get to bed!!!" Hahahahaha! In the context of a thrash song, especially a good thrash song, it's presented as this horrible, evil, scary thing, this "insomniac." Like watch out! Kinda funny.
All in all, you gotta hand it to Waters. He sticks to his guns. He plays 80's metal. Quality, quasi-technical, fun, guitar-based, crunchy metal, and I dig it. Nothing groundbreaking and a bit all over the map, but worth your while if you like this sort of thing.
Hel's Review:
There is no question, the arrival of ex-Overkill axeman Joe Comeau has made an obvious impact on Annihilator. When I first heard he was taking over the vocal duties, I admit I was dubious, I knew he'd sung backup on some OK tunes, but I was unclear on what his voice sounded like. Well, now I know - he's pretty damn good. He has a strong, sure voice with fine range and a nice variety of styles that he calls upon. As a result, this album features an impressive array of music.
Each musician turns in an excellent performance and, at various points on the album, each seems to receive a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. All prove to be as aptly chameleon as Comeau in their ability to assume various musical "hats" sounding at times so much like various other bands, you have to stop a moment and consider it. And yet, somehow, they are still distinctly Annihilator all at the same time.
"There are so many tempos and moods from song to song, it's hard to pin down." There are so many tempos and moods from song to song, it's hard to pin down. For example, "Liquid Oval", is downright mellow, while "A Perfect Virus" is catchy, brutal, unstoppable. The fully embrace the moment, and the hidden gem, "Chicken and Corn", displays their whimsical side - sounding like something between Adam Sandler and silly-era (you know what I mean...) Anthrax or S.O.D.
The one obstacle I encountered was that since Comeau is such a confident singer, I easily followed the lyrics to unveil the cheese below. "Insomniac" is downright inane, and "Epic of War" demonstrates that battlefield strife is an eternal metal lyrical topic. All in all, however, Carnival Diablos is an entertaining metal romp, and I recommend it to all inclined to listen.
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