Annihilator - Never Neverland (1990)

Waters, the shred master brings a new vocalist into the fray and Annihilator become even more clinical, the guitar shredder inserting a few too many intricacies into the chug if you ask me but one can only applaud. This is high tech progressive thrash, a nod here and there to Metallica, Megadeth etc, as well as Maiden , Priest, etc, in its ability to construct Gothic realms of metal cacophony. The album tracks sewn together by dreamy acoustic passages, jerking complexities and a more aggressive vocal approach. 'Stonewall' was the big hit on the album although personal fave is the anthemic 'Phantasmagoria' with its killer chords and chanted chorus whilst 'Reduced To Ash' is a headbangers nightmare, one moment thrashing, the next spiralling into Water's whirlpool of solo's. Annihilator had quickly established themselves as a progressive thrash act of great technical ability and the records were selling well. Although the band never reached the heights of say Megadeth, the Annihilator brand of thrash metal is one to be admired the world over. 'Never...' is a thrash album all true metal fans should own because of its ability to swagger in its intricacy, but above all, rock big time. 'Impeled Eyes' a fine example a prime example of Waters' remarkable talents as an axeman.

8/10