Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Annihilator - Alice in Hell (1989)
My ultimate Pit test is already at a magnificent start! Annihilator has one of the biggest discographies in any thrash band, with 17 albums, and only one or a few of them turning away from the genre. Jeff Waters has been determined to keep his band going despite the various changes in lineup and what is "all the rage" in metal these days. This band has made some of the best thrash albums I've heard, and this gem from the last year of the 80s is where it all begins...
I believe many of the speedier metalheads around here and out there, whether they like or dislike Annihilator, can agree about how awesome as f*** Alice in Hell is! Dark heaviness, searing technicality, and violent speed is all around. Metal listeners who can't get the hang of this band because of their later albums should give this album some listening. They'll be shocked about the different styles Jeff Waters can put together for a unique original sound. While the later albums have some of those earlier elements, Alice in Hell is where the elements truly shine, in the band's clearest example of traditional/technical thrash metal.
The beautiful intro "Crystal Ann" consists of classical guitar, something that would be integrated into the ballads or softer midsections of songs from the band's next 3 albums and beyond. It's a perfect acoustic start before the tech-thrash booms in. The intro to the classic "Alison Hell" slowly builds things up, then the speed makes its entrance. Clearly the idea of making the track title sound like the album title was taken from Slayer's Reign in Blood. The incredible Randy Rampage (RIP) does an amazing job with his vocals, ranging from thrashy snarling to falsetto screams ("AL-ison Hell!"). The more metallic "W.T.Y.D." (Welcome to Your Death) has a more original lyrical theme. Same with "Wicked Mystic". The lyrics are a bit wacky, but it's a signature aspect for the band, whether you love it or hate it.
It's kinda weird hearing some funky riff-bouncing in "Burns Like a Buzzsaw Blade", but it works quite well. That song and "Word Salad" has slightly more odder lyrics. For the latter song, Randy Rampage adds more aggression and dignity than Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, enough to make that track a superb highlight. The faster "Schizos (Are Never Alone)" is a mostly instrumental song split into two parts. The only lyrics there are the occasional saying of the song title. Quite a thrasher! A sequel ("Part III") would later be recorded for Rampage's other album with the band, Criteria for a Black Widow.
"Ligeia" continues the occasional crazy randomness. To be honest, the wackiness really is what makes the band unique and different from other classic thrash bands. It really adds a bit of happiness to the darkness without being too comedic. And there's more of that in their later material. "Human Insecticide" is the fastest, most thrashy song in the album. There's even a bit of guitar tremolos that might've planted a seed for classic black metal. No time wasted, nothing toned down, just full-on raging thrash!
All in all, Alice in Hell is a standout gem in the massive discography of Annihilator, as well as thrash metal in general. There's blazing power in every song from the guitars and bass. The vocals really have that charismatic anger. With all that and the great production, Annihilator's debut is perhaps one of the best classic thrash metal albums for me. There are many different twists in the rest of the band's journey, but the open-minded fans, such as myself, can find great enjoyment in them. Not a single thing needs to be changed in this masterpiece. Jeff Waters was once a young fellow ready to develop a long incredible journey, and Alice in Hell is the perfect start of it. Go get it if you haven't!
Favorites: "Alison Hell", "W.T.Y.D." (Welcome to Your Death), "Word Salad", "Schizos (Are Never Alone)", "Human Insecticide"