Annihilator – Hammersmith Apollo 2007

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Some consider it a travesty that a metal institution like Annihilator had to play a paltry 40-minute set supporting young upstarts like Trivium, but as it’s the first tour to bring the Canadian heroes back to England since they supported Judas Priest in 1991, the decision shouldn’t be criticised too much.

Mainman Jeff Waters had fractured an ankle earlier on the tour and had been told by doctors to write off the rest of the trek and go home, but showed no signs of being impeded as he stomped around the Apollo stage, proving to all the young fans in attendance that he still is the most tasteful thrash metal guitarist on the scene (along with Mr. Mustaine, perhaps). And it was Waters who opened proceedings with Operation Annihilation, the one track he sings leads vocals on from new album Metal. Although unfamiliar with the track, the reception from the predominantly teenage audience was warm as they moved quickly into another new track, Clown Parade, and main singer Dave Padden (also rhythm guitars) took over.

Trivium’s Corey Beaulieu, who guested on the new album on the track Kicked, came out to join the fray for King of The Kill while Padden took a rare guitarless moment as a centre-stage front-man. Apparently Beaulieu has been jamming on that song all tour. Jeff has said that other guests from the album will be jumping on stage with the band throughout the tour, but no extra performers appeared tonight. Hopes are high that one of the Swedish contingent on the new album (Jesper Strömblad from In Flames, Anders Björler from The Haunted or Michael Amott from Arch Enemy/Spiritual Beggars) will join Annihilator at the Sweden Rock Festival where they headline the Zeppelin Stage on the opening day (all three bands are not on tour at the time).

Guest appearance over with it’s headlong through a series of old songs, four of which were unsurprising choices (i.e. they were pretty obvious), but having not been heard in this country for sixteen years, not unwelcome. Amongst them a rotating slot was filled with a Waters-sung Refresh The Demon. Previous shows have included Like Father, Like Gun from Schizo Deluxe and WTYD from Alice In Hell in this slot.

The rest of the set came from the band’s first three albums. Classics Never, Neverland and Set The World On Fire, from the albums of the same names, kept the pace up before a rapturously well received closing brace of Fun Palace and the ever-green Alison Hell.

Following the short and horrendously overdue set a great many Trivium fans could be heard remarking how much they enjoyed Annihilator, which can only be a good sign, both for the expanding tastes of current metal fans and perhaps for a quicker return than sixteen years. Waters has hinted a full headlining tour may follow in early 2008 and after this electrifying performance, which even took me by surprise, let’s hope England is included.

“ electrifying ”

Setlist: Operation Annihilation / Clown Parade / King of The Kill / Never, Neverland / Refresh The Demon / Set The World On Fire / Fun Palace / Alison Hell

Written by Andy Lye
More: Gigs, Thrash Metal, Annihilator