Metal

Released in 2007, Metal represents a unique entry in Annihilator's extensive discography, functioning as a collaborative showcase curated by mastermind Jeff Waters. The album's central conceit involves a different guest musician on every track, ranging from thrash legends like Lips (Anvil) to melodic death metal icons like Michael Amott and Alexi Laiho. Sonically, the album leans into a modern thrash sound characterized by groove-heavy riffs and a very polished, 'clinical' production style typical of Waters' later work. While some critics found the songwriting to be straightforward or even 'bland' compared to the band's early-90s output, the album was praised by fans for its technical execution and the novelty of its guest appearances. It serves as a bridge between the band's technical thrash roots and the more accessible, groove-oriented metal of the 21st century. The album was later re-recorded in 2022 as 'Metal II' with Dave Lombardo and Stu Block, further cementing its status as a significant, if polarizing, pillar of the band's modern era.