High-quality thrash metal to the core

Ten tracks and 46 minutes long, Annihilator delivers thrash at its finest. Coming out with their 17th full-length studio album, Ballistic Sadistic, the Canadian thrash metal band continues to show why they are one of the big four thrash bands in Canada. Released in 2019 as the single of the album, “I Am Warfare” is just a small taste of a great composition. Stealing the show, the guitar shines above in every track— some more than others. 

The opener, “Armed To The Teeth,” will give listeners chills in the first two minutes with the fast-paced riffs and the shredding guitar solo. Soon after, “Psycho Ward” also contains a killer solo and even has a few second moments in which the bass guitar is on display and the only thing that can be heard. In the middle of the album, “Dressed Up For Evil” also utilizes the same effect with pushing the bass guitar to the front while everything other instrument is on pause. 

Every quality of thrash metal can be found on this album: fast tempos, low register, complex guitar riffs and high-register guitar solos. Each song stands out for their different guitar sequences and from “The Attitude” to “Out With The Garbage” to “The End Of The Lie,” the riffs and progressions will consume people. Ballistic, Sadistic holds nothing back. 

Listeners will delight in the different moods the songs portray such as haunting, aggressive, anger and so much more. The work put into the songwriting is not something to overlook either. Annihilation continues to produce high-quality metal music that keeps fans listening and attract new ones constantly. 

Honestly, the only thing listeners will be disappointed in is the fact that Ballistic, Sadistic is not longer. 46 minutes is a good chunk of time, but with music like this, any time is not enough. While other aspects should not be brushed aside, the guitar playing takes the cake and shines the brightest on this album. Annihilator shows no signs of slowing down and this album proves that they are still moving on an upward slope.