Annihilator announce 4 reissues from the years 1994-1997 via earMUSIC out on 6th June 2025

Annihilator is the most successful Canadian speed/thrash metal band of all times and one of the most influential pioneers of thrash metal worldwide. The band’s success speaks for itself, distinguished by superior live shows and especially Jeff Waters, who takes on the role of guitarist, vocalist, studio bassist, songwriter, producer, as well as mixing and mastering engineer – quite an all-rounder.

Over the next few years, earMUSIC is paying tribute to Annihilator with the re-release of their highly sought-after back catalogue in a series of CD and Vinyl releases. Each studio album will be reissued with fully remastered sound on high-quality 180g black Vinyl and as a CD Digipak Edition. Both formats feature refreshed artwork with brand-new sleeve notes by Alex Milas (a. o. Metal Hammer UK), who interviewed Jeff Waters for this reissue series.

Additionally – and for the first time – the numerous demo recordings and bonus tracks from each album era will be compiled as part of the reissue series on CD and as a digital album.

The catalogue revival begins on June 6th, 2025, by revisiting a pivotal era in Annihilator‘s history, breathing new life into “King Of The Kill” (1994), “Refresh The Demon” (1996), and “Remains” (1997). Spanning the mid-to-late ’90s, these albums showcase Jeff Waters’ evolution as a songwriter, guitarist, and producer, blending thrash intensity with melody, experimentation, and groove. This reissue series highlights a band that constantly pushed boundaries.

“King Of The Kill” was the full expression of Annihilator’s potential to enchant and to entertain. It was a comeback and rebirth of a leaner Annihilator impervious to the shifting sands of the industry, and it established Jeff Waters as a guitar-slinging/songwriting titan in a time of great uncertainty. Annihilator, finally, had arrived. 

For anyone just picking themselves up off the floor following the double-barreled wallop of “King Of The Kill”, “Refresh The Demon” was just what the doctor ordered. According to Waters, it was a continuation of the same creative role that had inspired “King Of The Kill” and felt like a second creative lease on life.

“Remains” was Annihilator’s boldest experiment, a daring venture into industrial-laced heaviness that defied expectations. With Jeff Waters handling nearly all aspects of the recording, the album took a more mechanical and groove-driven approach. Despite its departure from the band’s earlier thrash roots, the album still retained Jeff’s signature guitar work. “Remains” will be released for the very first time on vinyl.

“More Noise” offers a glimpse into Annihilator’s creative process during the “King Of The Kill”, “Refresh The Demon”, and “Remains” era. This collection of demo recordings and bonus tracks captures the raw energy, experimentation, and unmistakable guitar work of Jeff Waters, highlighting the evolution of the band’s sound. For the very first time, “More Noise” compiles all bonus tracks from these albums on one CD.

The re-release of the Annihilator years 1994–1997 is just the beginning. Fans and collectors can look forward to more albums coming soon.

Find out more on: https://www.earmusic.com/annihilator-reissues/

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King Of The Kill (CD Digipak, Black 180g LP Gatefold):

1. King Of The Kill (Vinyl Side A)
2. 21
3. Bliss
4. Second To None
5. Hell Is A War
6. Annihilator
7. Fiasco (Vinyl Side B)
8. The Box
9. Bad Child
10. In The Blood
11. Speed
12. Catch The Wind

CD Bonus Tracks:

1. 21 (Jeff Demo)
2. Annihilator (Jeff Demo)
3. Bad Child (Jeff Demo)
4. In The Blood (Jeff Demo)
5. King Of The Kill (Jeff Demo)
6. Second To None (Jeff Demo)

Refresh The Demons (CD Digipak, Black 180g 2LP Gatefold):

1. Refresh The Demon (Vinyl Side A)
2. Ultraparanoia
3. Syn. Kill 1
4. Awaken (Vinyl Side B)
5. The Pastor Of Disaster
6. City Of Ice
7. A Man Called Nothing
8. Innocent Eyes (Vinyl Side C)
9. Voices And Victims
10. Anything For Money (Vinyl Side D)
11. Hunger

Remains (CD Digipak, Black 180g LP Gatefold):

1. Tricks And Traps (Vinyl Side A)
2. Murder
3. Never Forget
4. Reaction
5. Human Remains
6. I Want
7. Dead Wrong (Vinyl Side B)
8. No Love
9. Sexecution
10. Wind
11. Bastiage

More Noise Vol. 1 (CD Digipak)

1. Only Be Lonely (King Of The Kill Bonus Track)
2. Slates (King Of The Kill Interlude)
3. Annihilator (1985 Radio Ottawa Demo)
4. Fiasco (“The Slate”) (King Of The Kill Interlude)
5. 21 (1994 Demo)
6. Weapon X (2004 Demo / No Guitars / Playthrough)
7. Bloodbath (1999 Criteria Demo)
8. Nothing To Me (Single Version)
9. Back To The Palace  (1999 Demo)
10. It’s You (Remains Bonus Track)
11. The Box (Live 1995)
12. Riff Raff (Refresh The Demon Bonus Track)