ANNIHILATOR Leader JEFF WATERS - “I Didn’t Think I Was Going To Sing For This Band Again… I Actually Didn’t Want To, I’m A Guitar Player First”; Video
January 23, 2017, 7 years ago
In this new video from WackenTV, Annihilator leader Jeff Waters talks about his fellow musicians, himself becoming lead-singer again, and more - spiced with some snippets from the Wacken 2015 show.
Last week, Waters made the following announcement: "Canada. Starting June 2017. Annihilator. Headline Tour. First official tour in Canada since 1993. More info coming in the next weeks but it will hit at least six provinces, starting out in BC! Finally. Yes, the mighty USA will be next but let's get this summer in Canada cookin' first. Get ready to buy tix... this will sell out!"
Annihilator are booked to play Mavericks on January 31st in Ottawa, Ontario. They issued the following statement: "Have dinner with Annihilator at Jeff Waters's studio/home and hang out for a rehearsal! Win one of 10 autographed copies of the new Triple Threat DVD package release!"
Annihilator recently announced the upcoming release of Triple Threat - a three-disc collection of their music based in a trio of very different scenarios. The band has posted an acoustic video for their classic "Sounds Good To Me", the very first track to be released from disc one of the set, Un-Plugged: The Watersound Studios Sessions. Watch below:
Annihilator have lacerated many senses over the years with their supreme, aggressive metal mastery, and on January 27th, their legion of loyal fans can look forward to a series of fresh sensory experiences as Annihilator present Triple Threat. A video trailer for the upcoming release can be found below.
The main disc comprises a set of Annihilator’s classics performed acoustically, with band leader/guitarist/ songwriter and vocalist Jeff Waters bringing together band members Aaron Homma and Richard Hinks, Vancouver, BC drummer and friend Marc LeFrance plus Ottawa session player Pat Robillard. Recorded and mixed by Waters (with Marty Sobb), this quintet recorded everything live, off the floor and in single takes at Watersound Studios in Dunrobin, Canada during late May and early June, 2016, giving Waters one of the most challenging, satisfying and perhaps ‘electric’ creative moments in his career.
The second disc will feature Annihilator’s vicious set from the 2016 Bang Your Head Festival, a set which illustrates the very best of what Annihilator is known for – tight, sharp, technically-excellent and melodic thrash metal music. It will also contain some exclusive inside-Annihilator off-stage perspective, courtesy of Jeff Waters’ own camera, which captures further elements, flavours and detail of the band which fans will flip over.
“This was one of the coolest things I have done in my long career. Having five people in a room, from all different backgrounds and talents, coming together to play songs from the past and to try to sound like we are one but totally live and with feel. This was one of the biggest challenges that Annihilator has faced, musically, but what impressed me the most was how you can hear all the individual styles each player has and how we were able to glue the playing and feel together. Done all in one take and with all the musical blemishes and imperfections that I would never normally let slide!
“This set covers some of the melodic songs, one even from 1984 (when a few of these guys were not even born!) and I just had to do this once in my life… to challenge myself and maybe show some others that it’s not always just about the metal and the thrash! Rock n’ Roll & and ballads are found everywhere in Heavy Metal.
“Annihilator are made up of a helluva lot of styles, mixed into one. That’s exactly what kind of musicians I put together for this set… a mixed bag of Rockers & Metalheads and they made our legacy proud!
“Enjoy… we sure love this one.” - Jeff Waters
Triple Threat will be available via UDR Music in several formats, including DVD/2CDs, Blu-Ray/2CDs, a 2CD audio-only and digital download.
Tracklisting:
Unplugged: The Watersound Studios Sessions
“Sounds Good To Me”
“Bad Child”
“Innnocent Eyes”
“Snake In The Grass”
“Fantastic Things”
“Holding On”
“Stonewall”
“In The Blood”
“Crystal Ann”
“Phoenix Rising”
Live At The Bang Your Head!!! Festival
“King Of The Kill”
“No Way Out”
“Creepin’ Again”
“Set The World On Fire”
“W.T.Y.D. (Welcome To Your Death)”
“Never, Neverland”
“Bliss”
“Second To None”
“Refresh The Demon”
“Alison Hell”
“Phantasmagoria”
“Crystal Ann”
“Phoenix Rising”
Trailer: