On stage: Annihilator

 
-  Overkill, Annihilator & Wicked Mystic
 
- Jan. 2000
 
- Helmond (NL) -


 
- Overkill, Annihilaotr & Dew-Scented
 
- Feb. 2000
 
- Krefeld (D) -


 
- Overkill, Annihilaotr & Dew-Scented
 
- Feb. 2000
 
- Offenbach (D) -


 
- Nevermore, Annihilator & more
 
- Feb. 2001
 
- Helmond (NL) -


 
- Annihilator, Seven Witches & Debase
 
- May 2002
 
- Dudley (GB) -


 
- Annihilator, Seven Witches & Debase
 
- May 2002
 
- Osnabrück (D) -


 
- Iced Earth, Annihilator & Turisas
 
- Oct. 2007
 
- Cologne (D) -


 
- Annihilator, Sworn Amongst & Admirion
 
- Oct. 2010
 
- Uden (NL) -

- Annihilator, Sworn Amongst & Admirion - October 10th 2010 - Uden (NL), De Pul -






 

  


  

















  
  

It's been years since Canadian thrashers Annihilator did a headliner tour, in recent years they only did some short festival appearances and support slots. Now Jeff Waters and his mates are back!



Finally they embark on a world-wide headliner tour, we chose a show in the Netherlands as it isn't too far and at a weekday easy to get to.

As the opening act entered the stage earlier we only saw a bit of Admirion and to be honest, it seems that we didn't miss much. Sorry guys, but that's the impression we got.



The second band was Sworn Amongst and the British quartet did a great job heating up the app. 450 metal fans at De Pul. Songs like The Storm, Crimson and Useless -  all off their latest release Severance - showed again that you should give every support band a chance to convince you. Frontman Liam Frank Liddell who also plays the 2nd guitar and his pals rocked the house!



At 10 to 10 PM on October 10th 2010 the waiting was over and Annihilator entered the stage! During the years Mr. Waters worked with different musicians, line-up changes took place frequently and so he announced that Dave Padden is part of Annihilator for 8 years and so the one who holds the record for long time membership. Additionally he had an Italian drummer and a bassist who immigrates to Canada.

They played songs like Ambushed and Betrayed from their latest release, a self-titled album, but also some surprises like Tricks And Traps which Waters said they never played live before! Classics like Alison Hell, King Of The Kill and The Fun Palace are what the fans want to hear and so Annihilator delivered.

The small club, even if not packed, was hot and the stage performance was a sweaty one. And so the 'little Canadian' - how Waters calls himself - soon was standing in a pool of sweat. He surprised the fans by taking over quite a few vocal parts, partly his voice sounded a bit hoarse - thanks to many interviews and the nightliner's AC. So he got a fan - Robin Christ from Rotterdam - on stage to help him out at Alison Hell, and Robin did very well.



All in all a fantastic evening full of metal, a great live show and all this for just a few bucks. You got 100 minutes of Annihilator metal plus 2 support bands, that's value for money! Thanks you Jeff!!!

  
  







Amir Djawadi

(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)



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- Annihilator, Seven Witches & Debase -
- May, 31st 2002 - Osnabrück (D), Works -






 
 

 

This is my first time in Osnabrück and so I needed a little time to find the venue - Works.  When I arrived doors were already open and I made it into the small club in time for the Swedish opener Debase. I heard about Debase from a friend in Sweden, but didn't really know what to expect. The quintet played songs from their 2 albums. They see themselves as a part of the New Wave of Swedish Heavy Metal as one of the guitarists told me later. I can just recall two songs which are both of their debut album. One is called Black Cesar and the other Star Wars. Their music reminds me a little bit of Black Sabbath... And of Demon - Spaced Out Monkey - with screaming guitars. Anyway, it was cool to see the band.

Next in line were the American Seven Witches. I really like their debut album and getting more and more into Xiled To Infinity And One. The first time I saw singer Wade Black on stage was with Crimson Glory and I really like his vocal style. Even if I have to say that I'm not into this high-pitched vocals he is partly doing. Starting with Metal Tyrants the quartet come to present their latest album live and so the focussed on this one. The set included Eyes Of An Angel, Xiled To Infinity And One and as well the cover version of the Grim Reaper classic See You In Hell. I still prefer the original, well... Another surprise was the Joey Vera is now with Jack Frost on tour. Seems that the bassist really en­joys touring. The four-some offered a tight show and it was quite some fun to watch. Hope to see you soon again on European stages!

Now it was time for the Canadian headliners! Jeff Waters is still one of the best guitarists in metal and Annihilator is his life. The master and singer Joe Comeau really enjoyed the show and had a lot of fun. It was great to watch Mr. Waters making funny faces while playing. The band has a really heavy sound, was tight and fun to watch. The live version of Ultra-Motion and Torn were killer! Surely the band concentrated on the latest release Waking The Fury. But they didn't forgot their past and so they played some of the bands classics incl. Crystal Ann, Phantasmagoria and Alison Hell! What a show!!!

To soon the concert was over, but some fans stayed and a little later some of the musicians showed up for a little chit-chat. Cool!

It was worth driving a few hours to see them. Even if Hamburg or Berlin would have been closer to Copenhagen... But if you really want to see a band and can't get off the other days... I don't regret it!
 
 






Claudia Ehrhardt

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- Annihilator, Seven Witches & Debase -
- May, 12th 2002 - Dudley (Great Britain), JB's -






 
 

 

Dudley is just 9 miles from Birmingham, a small town, but known by metal fans for the JB's. Not many fans were waiting for doors open, but as soon as the doors were open more fans showed up. Unfortunately not enough fans to fill this venue...

Soon the intro of the Swedish quintet was played and so it was time to get in front of the stage. Most fans stayed more in the back... The first time I saw their show from the beginning. How to describe their music? On their flyers they call themselves part of the New Wave Of Swedish Metal... And it's metal, heavy like Black Sabbath, but modern, rocking... With their 2nd track Domination they presented a song from their 2nd album, the title track. Followed by Black Cesar from their debut, a song which you can easily sing along. A catchy rocking metal hymn. Even if they had just 30 min. the guys decided to present songs from all their albums as well as some new tracks. A decent set! My favorite song is Black Cesar! And I'm looking forward to see them again... Tomorrow!

After a short break the American quartet Seven Witches entered the stage and the fans moved closer to the stage. Opening with Metal Tyrants Jack Frost presented his band in Europe for the first time live. The four-piece focused on new material. From their debut they presented Camelot. Perhaps they made this decision because singer Wade Black just joined Seven Witches and sung only on the current album Xiled To Infinity And One. Songs like Salvation sound live heavier. Musically nothing to complain about, a tight union, but the stage performance wasn't, even if everybody was in motion. Anyway, after a few songs the witches had the audience at their side. After 40 min. of pure power it was time to slow down a little and so they presented the title track of their latest release Xiled To Infinity And One. What more to expect? Right, the cover version of Grim Reaper's See You In Hell! A great tune to
finish the set. The fans liked what they saw and shouted for more, but no chance!


The change over for Annihilator took a little longer and the fans had a drink while waiting for the US-American-Canadian quintet. And then it was time for 100 min. of pure energy! Opening with a slow, but intense track they soon speed up with Ultra-Motion. Even during the first tracks it was obvious that this line-up is a tight union and that the new guitarist Curran Murphy fits into the band very well. The fans went crazy and fast tracks like Torn, My Lunatic Asylum and Striker heated them up. Singer Joe Comeau did a good job last year, but now he is better than ever! The band of mastermind and guitar wiz Jeff Waters focused on their latest release Waking The Fury. But Jeff and his mates haven't forgot Annihilators past and played tracks like Set The World On Fire and Never, Neverland. During the set a fan entered the stage to dive into the audience, but they didn't caught him! Luckily he didn't get hurt and so the show could go on. With the return of drummer Randy Black and new guitarist Curran Murphy the band is better than ever! After almost 90 min. the band left the stage with Phantasmagoria and the fans shouted for more! And with Crystal Ann they returned! Than their classic, the title track of their debut.. Alison Hell! A must for the quintet and with Shallow Grave, a track from their last years release Carnival Diablos they left. A great show, even if Joe Comeau had some problems with the mic during Alison Hell, but while the crew tried to solve the problem the shouter used Mr. Waters microphone. But that's live! Again they proofed that
Annihilator is still alive and a hot live act.

So, don't miss them, if they are playing in you area!
 
 






Claudia Ehrhardt

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- Annihilator, Nevermore, Soilwork & Rawhead Rexx -
- February, 25th 2001 - Helmond (NL), Plato -






 
 

 

Opening act were the German newcomers Rawhead Rexx. Some might remember singer Jürgen Volk from his former band Glenmore.... Anyway, the band presented songs of their debut album, but the Dutch audience didn't caught fire.... A few fans were banging front row like the band did on stage. The future will show if they are on right way to the top.

After a short break the Swedish Soilwork entered the stage and soon the Dutch went crazy! The technical death metal combo sounds harder live than on A Predator's Portrait. The band follows the roots of bands like In Flames and Dark Tranquillity and the Dutch fans liked what the Swedish offered... A very energetic show. This tour is a good basis for singer Björn and his pals to start from.

After a break Seattle's finest power metal band entered the stage..... Nevermore! The new / old guitarist fit perfectly in the band, it seems like Curran Murphy never left after his touring job in 1997! Warrel & co. started with Narcosynthesis and soon the audience went crazy. This time the band concentrate on the new material from Dead Heart In A Dead World, but also presented some older tunes. It's unbelievable that the quintet always present themselves on such a high level live! The guys were always in motion and kept this high speed, just The Heart Collector slowed down a little..... Interesting their Simon & Garfunkel cover The Sound Of Silence which live sounds even more like a Nevermore track! Long-time fans just complaint that no Sanctuary song was played...... Perhaps when they return in a few weeks......

Everybody in the venue was curious how Joe Comeau will handle his new position as the singer of Annihilator live... The band of guitarist and mastermind Jeff Waters opened their show with Denied before they traveled back in time with King Of The Kill and Set The World On Fire. At least at that time the Canadians had convinced everybody in the house! With singer Joe Comeau the band is back! Between the songs Joe chatted with the fans and it seems that he never did something else! When they started playing Phantasmagoria the fan knew that this is the end of the set.... To quote an old saying "time is flying if you have fun" and so the set was offer much too soon! Please come back soon! At least we will see you at Wacken...... They will definitely be a highlight of the festival!
 
 






Claudia Ehrhardt



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