Since its inception, Annihilator has released fifteen studio albums and has undergone many line-up changes. Waters is the only remaining original member of the band, and sometimes assembles touring musicians to perform with him. Their latest studio album, Suicide Society, was released in 2015.
History
Early career (1984–1988)
Annihilator was formed in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada by Jeff Waters in 1984. Waters later wrote on his Facebook page that he named the band after the tank that Eddie Murphy's character rode on in the 1984 film Best Defense. Waters wrote and recorded the song Annihilator (not to be confused with the song of the same name released on the 1994 album, King of the Kill) with singer John Bates. This original version of "Annihilator" was released on the special edition of the 2005 album Schizo Deluxe.
Waters and Bates then recruited drummer Paul Malek and bassist Dave Scott. This lineup lasted a year, producing a demo titled "Welcome to Your Death" during their time together. The demo received worldwide recognition and became highly sought after. After John Bates and Dave Scott left the band before its release, citing "artistic differences" and "personality conflicts", Jeff Waters and drummer Paul Malek recorded another successful demo titled Phantasmagoria in 1986. This was said to be the third most-traded metal cassette tape in the 1980s, behind Metallica and Megadeth's demo tapes. Some songs written at this time, by Jeff Waters and John Bates, ended up on Annihilator's first two official studio albums (Alice in Hell and Never, Neverland).
A third demo was recorded by Waters and Malek in 1987 and was sent only to labels. It included more songs that would end up on the first two Annihilator studio albums. Waters relocated to Vancouver in 1987, where he assembled an entire line-up, including drummer Ray Hartmann and former D.O.A. bassist, Randy Rampage, on vocals. In 1988 and 1989, Waters was in and out of a recording studio recording guitar and bass tracks and producing what would become the band's debut album. Once the album was finished, he hired bassist Wayne Darley and guitarist Anthony Greenham.
Rise to fame (1989–1993)
The band gained more recognition within the metal community after releasing their debut album Alice in Hell, in 1989. Annihilator embarked on their first world tour, opening up for Testament along with Onslaught in the US and Canada, after which singer Randy Rampage quit the band to retain his seniority at a job on the shipping docks in North Vancouver.
Without a singer, Jeff Waters found ex-Omen singer Coburn Pharr and the band released their second album, Never, Neverland, in 1990. The album's sales surpassed Alice in Hell, becoming the band's only album to chart in the UK at No. 48. After opening up for Judas Priest, and then little-known Pantera and headline tours around the world, Hartmann and Pharr left the band and were replaced by Mike Mangini (though the band would find a more permanent replacement in Randy Black) and Aaron Randall, respectively. The band was signed to Sony USA by this point.
The band's third studio album, Set the World on Fire, distributed by Epic Records, was released in 1993 and was successful in Europe and Asia, but did poorly in the US. Bassist Wayne Darley had to leave the band in August 1993 as he was unable to enter Japan, where the band was touring in support of the album. Annihilator was among the many metal bands dropped by Roadrunner Records (and most other labels) that year.
Brief hiatus and later years (1994–1998)
The line-up then dissolved, but Jeff Waters kept the band name going when he, along with drummer Randy Black recorded and released King of the Kill in 1994. This album was more of a solo album for Waters, as it featured himself performing all instruments and writing most of the album's material apart from playing the drum tracks, which were recorded by Randy Black. Bassist Cam Dixon later joined the band followed by Lou Bujdoso from Meatwagon who went on to tour and perform during the King of the Kill and Refresh the Demon tours. Jeff Waters continued performing lead vocals until 1997. The band released Refresh the Demon, which was, for the most part, a return to the speed and technicality of the band's earlier days, in 1996 and Remains, a more industrial metal-oriented album which turned out to be the biggest flop of the band's career, in 1997.
By the time Remains was being recorded, Waters was the sole remaining band member. The album featured an electric drum machine (programmed by Jeff Waters, of course) and there was no tour in support of it.
Continued career (1999–present)
Annihilator did not play again until 1999, when Waters decided to reunite the Alice in Hell line-up to record another album. All members apart from Wayne Darley, who had health problems, agreed to reunite. Bassist Russ Bergquist joined the band in Darley's place. This lineup released Criteria for a Black Widow and toured successfully. However, Rampage was fired following the tour for his erratic and often drunken behaviour. Former Overkill guitarist and Liege Lord frontman Joe Comeau replaced him on vocals, while Curran Murphy replaced Davis on guitar and Randy Black rejoined on drums.
During the early 2000s, Annihilator released the albums Carnival Diablos (2001) and Waking the Fury (2002), both triumphant thrash metal masterpieces. After considerable success, the band's lineup once again dissolved. Following years of line-up changes, Jeff Waters decided to work with a touring-only lineup so he recruited Dave Padden as a permanent vocalist/rhythm guitarist, while Waters recruited touring bassists and drummers. Annihilator's first two albums in this three-man band format as Waters played both bass and guitar, with Padden on vocals and a hired drummer were All for You (2004) and Schizo Deluxe (2005). Mike Mangini rejoined for the former album in 2004 and Tony Chappelle was hired for the latter's recording in 2005.
In 2007, Annihilator released their twelfth album Metal. It features several guest performers, such as Corey Beaulieu (Trivium), Willie Adler (Lamb of God) and Jeff Loomis (Nevermore). The band's self-titled thirteenth album was released in 2010, coming to be in a more modern thrash metal-styled sound.
Annihilator returned to Canada for two live shows; the first time the band has played live in North America since 1993. On July 10, 2011, Annihilator headlined the Quebec City Imperial Theatre to a sold-out crowd. Annihilator played the main stage (along with KISS and Motörhead) on July 24, 2011 at Montreal's Heavy MTL Festival.
Annihilator released their fourteenth studio album entitled Feast on 23 August 2013.
In the summer of 2014, Oscar Rangel replaced Al Campuzano, their bassist since 2010. Jeff Waters said on his Facebook that he had actually contacted Wayne Darley, the bands bassist from the classic early 90's lineup, about having him rejoin, although once again he declined, in Jeff's words "Wayne wanted to do it but couldn't ... personal reasons." The band has continued their touring cycle since then.
Dave Padden left the band sometime in December of 2014, telling Jeff Waters over a telephone call that he was sick of constant touring and the lifestyle he was living in Annihilator and citing the biggest contributing factors were that he was away from his family too much and he had not been happy being in the band over the past five years, despite Waters' offers of more money after the next record was done. Waters then had to refrain from booking Padden's flight from Vancouver to Ottawa, admitting in a German radio interview he was emotionally shaken as well. After taking a couple of weeks' time and looking at various singers, Waters decided that he would handle vocals himself in addition to doing everything but play drums in the studio. The information was not made public until six months later, in June 2015, when Waters made the post on Annihilator's Facebook page, but attaching a YouTube link directly below of audio snippets from various songs on the band's then-upcoming album, Suicide Society.
Never, Neverland singer, Coburn Pharr surprised audiences when he returned for a short time on 70000 Tons of Metal concert in January 2015. Coburn will only sing, Reduced to Ash, The Fun Palace, I Am in Command, Road to Ruin and Stonewall.
By April 2015, Annihilator had begun work on their fifteenth studio album. Waters stated that the album's musical direction would be "something quite different." The album, titled Suicide Society, was released on September 18, 2015.
Discography
Alice in Hell (1989)
Never, Neverland (1990)
Set the World on Fire (1993)
King of the Kill (1994)
Refresh the Demon (1996)
Remains (1997)
Criteria for a Black Widow (1999)
Carnival Diablos (2001)
Waking the Fury (2002)
All for You (2004)
Schizo Deluxe (2005)
Metal (2007)
Annihilator (2010)
Feast (2013)
Suicide Society (2015)
Pride
Annihilator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the pain that you inflict
Does it make you the man
Does it make you the shit
The feeling that I get
Is like the pain that's in my neck
When you're treating me like I'm a child
[Chorus:]
I don't want you, I don't need you
Wasting all my time
I don't want you, I don't need you
Messing with my pride
Unnecessary actions
To make you feel like a man
I'll never have the answers
I'll never meet your demands
What exactly is it you want
I've given all that I can
Was it a part of your head trip
Was it all in the plans
I can feel it in your eyes
All the weakness I despise
I can see past all your lies
You're the devil in disguise
Come on and break me down
So you can build yourself up higher
Add more to the flames
Add more to the fire
The feeling that I get
Is like the pain that's in my neck
Does it make you the man
Does it make you the shit
The lyrics of Annihilator's song, "Pride," describe a toxic and abusive relationship dynamic where the singer is being dominated and belittled by their partner. The first verse suggests that the partner inflicts pain and revels in the power it gives them, with the singer questioning whether this makes them superior in their eyes. The second verse shows the singer's dissatisfaction with this treatment, as their partner treats them like a child or a pet, leading to anger and resentment. The chorus delivers a clear message to the partner that the singer does not want or need them in their life, as they are simply wasting their time and messing with their self-esteem.
The third verse expresses confusion on the singer's part, as they ask their partner what they want from the relationship and state that they have given all they can. They suggest that perhaps their partner is in it for a "head trip," or that the partner has ulterior motives. The fourth verse introduces a darker aspect, with the singer describing how they can see through their partner's lies and perceive the evil within them. The final lines of the song show the singer's defiance, as they invite their partner to try and break them down so they can rise up even stronger.
Overall, "Pride" is a powerful commentary on the effects of abuse in relationships and the damage it can do to someone's self-worth. The lyrics are confrontational and unflinching in their depiction of the toxic dynamic, making it clear that the singer will not tolerate their partner's behavior any longer.
Line by Line Meaning
The adrenaline that you get
The rush of energy you feel when inflicting pain
From the pain that you inflict
From the injuries and suffering you cause others
Does it make you the man
Do you feel more masculine or powerful because of it?
Does it make you the shit
Does it make you feel superior or important?
The feeling that I get
How I feel when you mistreat me
Is like the pain that's in my neck
Uncomfortable, unpleasant sensation
When you're treating me like I'm a child
Belittling or patronizing behavior
And you're talking to me like a pet
Speaking to me with condescension or disdain
I don't want you, I don't need you
Not interested or reliant on your presence
Wasting all my time
Using up my valuable time for no good reason
Messing with my pride
Undermining my self-respect or self-esteem
Unnecessary actions
Actions that are not required or helpful
To make you feel like a man
To boost your masculinity or ego
I'll never have the answers
I cannot give you solutions or explanations
I'll never meet your demands
I cannot fulfill all your expectations or requests
What exactly is it you want
What are you striving for or seeking?
I've given all that I can
I have provided all the assistance or support I can
Was it a part of your head trip
Was it solely your ego or fantasies at play?
Was it all in the plans
Was this behavior intentional and calculated?
I can feel it in your eyes
I sense a negative or sinister intention from your gaze
All the weakness I despise
I dislike or disdain your vulnerabilities or insecurities
I can see past all your lies
I am aware of your deceptions or falsehoods
You're the devil in disguise
You appear harmless or friendly, but are actually malevolent
Come on and break me down
Intending to harm or defeat me
So you can build yourself up higher
So you can elevate your own status or importance
Add more to the flames
Intensifying an already problematic situation
Add more to the fire
Exacerbating a negative or destructive circumstance
Does it make you the man
Do you truly believe that your harmful actions make you more of a man?
Does it make you the shit
Do you think that hurting others increases your worth or value?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE PADDEN, JEFF WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
METAL4REAL BR
AWESOME SONG... BRUTAL RIFF AND GREAT LYRICS ! SO UNDERRATED !
MusicJamin330
2:40 Has that early Metallica sound to it, damn I love that. Dave Padden has really brought it these past few years.
AsTheSeasonsGray
0:08 is it just me or is this one of the catchiest riffs ever?
Lick Mike Hunt
I love this song and especially singing and riffs around 1:15-1:32
CruelSoulz
One of my favorites. <3
Rugby League History
I can relate so well to this song in real life.
Dean Winchester
4:43 Most insane moment of the song.
Blaze
This song is kickass.
Jester Green
To me this is their second best. Over it only stands City of Ice, the best song of heavy metal done by an american.
Romario Lopes
Amazing