Annihilator - Alison Hell (REACTION!!!) (THRASH WEEK!!) 

Me in 2017: Wow some dudes reacting to metal, let me see it Me in 2019: They grew up so fast :’)

Regarding Annihilator's reputation, they're well known among thrash metal fans, but rather niche in the "big picture" of metal. Their problem is that they were among the late blooming thrash bands; '89 was extremely late in the thrash scene, and being from Canada didn't help them get worldwide promotion. In a few years you'd have Metallica breaking through to the mainstream with The Black Album, and Megadeth achieving similar success with Countdown to Extinction, both albums that saw them simplifying their sounds and moving away from thrash; so Annihilator is just one of the bands that got a bit lost in the late, changing tides of metal.

Jeff Waters is one of the most underrated guitarists in metal. Ever

"Alice In Hell" and "Allison Hell" remind me of Slayer's "Raining Blood" in their album "Reign In Blood".

Glad you included Crystal ann before Alison Hell.

The most important experience is including crystal ann .very important

Metal has always appreciated and incorporated classical music. It's one of the best parts about it.

Death - Voice of the Soul, such emotion from only instruments

Jeff Waters is one the greatest thrash metal guitar players. Legit

Holy shit! My uncle is in this band! This rules!

When the bogeyman goes to sleep, he checks his closet for Jeff Waters!

Love Annihilator! One of my favourite bands from my home country. Jeff Waters is pretty much a Canadian Dave Mustaine. The man is a hugely underrated guitarist. Dave even tried to recruit him back in the day.

Jeff waters is one the best guitarist around the metal scene but not a lot of people know who he is

Before this album was released, Dave Mustaine asked Jeff Waters (the guitar player for Annihilator) to join Megadeth before they had auditioned Marty Friedman. He wanted to use Crystal Ann as the opening to Rust In Peace

Savatage- Hall of the mountain king.

Can I just say that you two are made for metal. Some people will never know because they won't give it a chance and some people hear it and just don't get it, but you guys got over that benchmark and gave it a chance and found something you truly enjoy. Thank you for being open minded, free thinkers!

Great song, Jeff Waters is a highly under appreciated guitarist in my opinion.

As a metalhead, I feel embarrassed and ashamed that I have never heard much annihilator. Im fuckin glad you guys did this one, cause this song is great!

Jeff Waters is one of the best riff writers in metal. Sometimes his songs sound like just a collection of riffs, but when he puts them together in one cohesive song, like this one, it's undeniable. Glad you guys dug it.

I'm an old enough metalhead that I feel like I should have heard of this band, but this is the first I've ever heard it. Like, I'm genuinely surprised I've never heard a band from this era that's this good. Thanks for introducing a long-time metal fan to a new band, guys!

Wasn't expecting Annihilator, deep dive into metal. Loved this album

That's why 'the first' song is so important. People who want you to get into their band suggestions need to stop suggesting their most obscure and/or heavy/fast/whatever songs.

Since you like these transitions, you might consider "The Fun Palace," or "Never Neverland," on the album that followed this one. The production is cleaner, and the transitions are magical. Prog-leaning.

In case no one else mentioned it, the singer, Randy Rampage was in a famous Canadian hardcore/punk band called D.O.A., this was a huge departure for him but man he killed it on this album! I saw them on this tour open for Testament and they were killer!!! Amazing musicmanship and Randy was a monster live! He unfortunately passed away last August....R.I.P.

Annihilator - Never, Neverland! Another great song (and album) from Annihilator!

Nice! Finally! Also, I'm going to keep throwing this out there: Megadeth - The Conjuring. Awesome riffs and transitions, you guys will dig it

"Artillery - By Inheritance" is number 33 on Loudwires Top 50 Thrash Metal Albums of All Time. You guys should really check out that album. I would recommend the song by the same title as the album "By Inheritance" or "khomaniac". Similar to the intro here, you should also start off with the intro "7:00 From Tashkent". Another reason would to listen to them is that you havn't covered many danish metal bands, only King Diamond I believe?

holy shit how did i miss this song?? That was awesome! I've never heard that before wow

This made my day. In the 90s, I was getting guitar tips through email by Jeff Waters (the guitarist behind Annhilator), and I have always been a huge fan. Jeff is an amazing shredder, but he is truly one of the riff masters.

You guys must listen to Coroner, Swiss technical thrash of the highest quality.

Havok - Time is up. One of the best Thrash bands in recent years.

This song brings back SO MANY MEMORIES one that includes me lying to a girl about writing the lyrics and winning a contest with it lol...the 80s were a great time to be alive

Your reaction to this song is pretty much what I experienced when I first heard it back in highschool, it blew my mind back then and it's been in my playlist ever since. Another great and somewhat unknown thrash band is Artillery. They're danish and in my opinion one of the more unique ones in the scene.

Please react to more Annihilator!!!!!! “The Fun Palace” is a MUST

This vocalist sadly died a couple of months ago

I remember hearing this for the first time in my dads Truck on a long drive to see my grandma and grandpa when I was like 12 or 13. The whole album rules tbh best time to jam this album is late night drives, because thats how I first heard it hahaha

SAVATAGE - When the Crowds are Gone A classic band with some of the best lyrics in Metal. cheers!

Some "lesser known" (at least in the overall metal picture) bands and songs you should check out for Thrash Week: "Masked Jackal" by Coroner, "Brainwashed" by Nuclear Assault and especially "Hello From the Gutter" by Overkill.

Phantasmagoria is another fantastic Annihilator song, my fav ever, amazing guitar work!

Annihilator - Road to Ruin Great thrash about idiots who know they're drunk, but think they can drive home anyway.

"Overkill" is one to revisit. Horrorscope or Evil Never Dies are great tunes.

Never heard of "Lost in Vegas" before, I guess they're into a musical genre definitely other than rock or metal. Given that "Alison Hell" is one of my most favourite songs of all time, I really enjoyed watching their reaction to it for two reasons. They had no idea what they had coming so their surprise was genuine, plus it is really pleasant to see people with totally different preferences appreciating something undeniably beautiful and unique. Apparently, they know a thing or two about music, so I'll look into them as well.

React to something from the German big 4 Kreator Destruction Sodom Tankard

I love when bands lead into one song from another one like this. I can't listen to Judas Priest's Electric Eye without first letting Hellion do it's thing. What are some other good "intro's" out there?

Your guys' tastes have surely matured over the years. I can imagine if you reacted to this even a year ago you may not have liked it as much. Keep expanding your horizons of metal and music in general! Great reaction to a great song by a great band! Annihilator never disappoints.

Sacred Reich - The American Way. Suicidal Tendencies - You Can't Bring Me Down.

Two years ago I discovered your channel and started watching out of boredom usually before I went to bed. But as time went on you guys got more and more into metal and I began to appreciate many songs in a new way even after listening to them for years. Your reactions to the likes of Megadeth and Sabbath had me falling in love with songs again as if I were a 15 year old kid again. And now, with this video and the recent Death Angel reaction you're helping me discover new gems that I never knew existed. Thanks Lost in Vegas! Keep up the good work.

Jeff Waters gave guitar lessons in local church and he was 6 yrs old. One of the most underrated guitarist ever.

Voivod should be next. RIP Piggy. I'm glad reactors are giving Annihalator their due.

Annihilator is alive and well, putting out great release after great release! Jeff is one of the best guitar players in METAL \m/

No one mention the most underrated thrash metal band ever? Toxik? No one?? Toxik - Think This... Album ( All song's great ) ‼️

I've never thought it through the bedtime story and the begin of the nightmare thing, and i've listened to this like 5000 times. Thank you guys.

This was a pleasure! Been listening to metal since Korns Life is Peachy when I was probably about 13, I love classic (sabbath, Judas priest, megadeth, rush, maiden, etc) heavy metal, thrash, progressive metal, especially love power metal. Been 20 years and never heard this song. What a treat. Thank you George and Ryan!

Great choice! Since you've liked this one, try Annihilator's "Fun Palace" next!

Had The pleasure to direct the Original Official music video in 1988 in Vancouver, BC. It was fun after 32 years to watch your take on the song. Shame you didn't use the the video. Brought back great memories. Thanks Guys.

Guys, awesome review of an epic band and song. I've just discovered you two and think that your reviews are killer. It's obvious you REALLY enjoy what you are listening to and have a deep connection with music. Nice job guys!

Great to see you guys react to Annihilator, its a crackin album, Jeff waters is an awesome guitaist and song writer, thier second album Never neverland has some fine tracks on it too.

We need Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King

I really miss this band. It is awesome that these guys are remembered for the massive talent they were. Thank you for this vid.

Watching you two blow your mind to something that blew mine 30 years ago is priceless. Love the respect. Awesome how you actually break it down! Thanks!

Jeff Waters smiled at me and flicked his pick towards me when I saw them in Manchester. I missed the pick and spent about 15 minutes scrabbling about on the floor looking for it whilst getting stomped. I finally found it. Bruised and battered, I regret nothing \m/

When I got this album in 9th grade, my mom didn't like the title. I played her Crystal Ann only and she thought it was beautiful.

Love that you guys look at this with the intro. You guys are doing great

So awesome to see you do this one!

I think you guys might like King Of The Kill. It rips, tbh. It's my favorite Annihilator song.

You guys are incredible, this will make a lot people's day. This is what happens when the song choice is correct :)

You guys are awesome. This is fantastic!

thank you guys for checking this out. i grew up with this music and your right. no matter the genre there are SO many bands that never get the respect or credit they deserve. Jeff Waters is a legend in the metal community. Iv never seen it said in any of your video comments so ill say it now. like when you did Orion....sometimes you have to just close your eyes and let the music tell you its story. if this song with its music and lyrics dont send a slight shiver down your spine then your not hearing it.

Jeff Waters one of Thrash Metal's pioneering lead guitarists

Metal church- Metal church Overkill- Who tends the Fire Megadeth- Five Magic’s

6:56 George just completely forgot about everything in existence haha

You guys gotta do Sylosis. Altered States of Consciousness is a good one Any Sylosis fans in here?

Power Trip-Executioner's Tax. Some of the finest Thrash this decade.

Thanks for introducing me to this song! It was crazy! Definitely going to check out more from these guys.

Guys: I love your analysis videos, you are just great, kudos to both of you!

Ok, so I"m SUUUUPER late to this comment party, but I am soooooo happy you guys chose this song to review. I've been digging this track since I was about 16, and I'm literally cheering EVERYTHING you guys are saying about this incredible song!! From Jeff Waters blistering chops, to the singers amazing vocals, to the sick rhythms....this remains, to this day, one of my favorite metal tracks! Fun Fact, I set this as my alarm track everytime I need to get my lazy ass up at 5 am to go running...nothing like a little Canadian thrash to motivate you before the crack of dawn:) Thanks for everything you do, guys!!

sepultura - desperate cry

I appreciate y’alls openness to hear various types of music, because me being a Hip Hop Head, your channel is exposing me to new artists and bands that I have never heard of, that are now in my playlist. Thanks fellas!

So glad you guys did this reaction, I was one of the few people that suggested this song a while ago. I am a fan of Annihilator (mainly the first four albums to be honest) and Jeff Waters is one of my favorite guitarist, he's such an inspiration. To explain further what Annihilator really is, the band IS Jeff Waters. He recorded every guitar tracks and also BASS (his bass skills are insane btw) in all his albums, he hired drummers and singers for studio and touring and he did all (or almost all) of the production himself (and wrote all the songs etc). As a musician, he has a classical and jazz background from when he was young, and it's quite interesting how he blends some more complex classical arrangements and jazzy stuff in his songs. He is obviously a very talented and accomplished musician. His guitar work is crazy, some of the best metal riffs and solos out there. He also struggled with alcohol addiction and became sober, he then helped a lot of musicians that has similar problems and also with legal issues (like musicians that get screwed with unfair contracts). He's a good person and highly respected in the metal community. David Ellefson (bassist of Megadeth) said that he was a huge fan of Alice in Hell album and he used to listen to it with other members of the band while recording Rust in Peace for inspiration. On a side note, while Alice in Hell is a true thrash metal album, most of Annihilator music is more toward the heavy metal / speed metal side (with a strong thrash influence though). If you guys ever want to revisit Annihilator for future reaction, I would suggest Stonewall (from Never Neverland (1990)) and Set The World on Fire (from the album of the same name, (1993)). The album King of the Kill (1994) also features a few gems like the self-title track and Second to None if you ever go even deeper in his work.

We have so many Great Rock and Metal bands in Canada but I'm so glad you finally did annihilator

Damn, as someone who's all about rock and metal, I'm sad that I'd never heard of these guys. Thanks for giving me some more material to dive into \m/

I have waited a long time for this reaction! Hopefully you can react to Kreator

I cant believe you guys did this song. Love it! You guys are awesome.

This was an AMAZING reaction & review to an AMAZING classic!!!! Thank you my dudes for playing this song. Annihilator are a thrash gem.

Annhiliator's Jeff Walters is a legend. he directly inspired the UK's Evile as well (who you should definately check out!)

Jeff Waters is one of the greatest guitar players around. Highly underrated band.

Learning this song atm. Every day a few hours and i'm getting there but man what a song to learn! It's so much to learn and there is so much going on but after it's done it will be 100% worth it

Love you guys! as simple as that!

Demolition Hammer - Skull Fracturing Nightmare (no explanation necessary)

THE SWORD - HOW HEAVY THIS AXE (OFFICIAL VIDEO) PLEASE!

Savatage: Hall Of The Mountain King Metal Church: Badlands Iced Earth: The Anthem

These guys and Forbidden-2 of my favorite technical thrash bands that all the musicians loved but they never quite broke through to the mainstream. Great to revisit this song!

Artillery - by inheritance artillery one the best technical thrash song ever

D.R.I-Beneath The Wheel(from the Thrash Zone album) u guys will dig it alot

I haven't listened to this song in maybe a decade. I forgot how much I loved it. Thanks for reintroducing me!

Thank y'all for Thrash Week! Long time subscriber....

Also with Annihilator, it seemed they exploded a little bit when this song got posted back up onto youtube YEARS ago, and they finally where able to get the credit they deserved. There more recent shows these last few years have had increasing attendance, and where able to really increase there fanbase I was also worried that you guys wouldn't like the song because of the time changes and such, but yall loved, it so I'm hella happy right now

This is almost a King Diamond song... I can hear a LOT of KD in it!! Totally killer!

Love your unprejudiced and honest opinions of all the songs you guys do .Keep it up

Yes Annihilator left you guys an awesome message on their facebook, great review as always, best review channel ever. cheers guys.