Annihilator’s Jeff Waters is stepping down as the band’s lead vocalist

Annihilator co-founder Jeff Waters recently confessed that he’ll be stepping down as the longtime thrash metal band’s lead vocalist for future performances, choosing to focus solely on guitar playing instead.

He had also talked about his battle with COVID-19 last year.

Waters, who formed Annihilator with original singer John Bates in Canada in 1984, announced a replacement vocalist for upcoming shows. It’s the same musician who already sings on Annihilator’s upcoming “Metal II”, a re-recorded version of the band’s 2007 album, “Metal”, current Into Eternity vocalist and ex-Iced Earth member Stu Block.

“Metal II”, out February 18, also features contributions from legendary ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo.

I’m not singing anymore. I’m a guitar player.

I asked [Block] if he would do the reunion thing. Because it’s been 31 or 32 years or something for our first three Roadrunner [Records] albums. To North America, those are the only ones anyone has ever heard, especially the first two. We actually have another 14 albums.

When I talked to Stu Block and Dave Lombardo about doing this [album] — it’s not a new record, but I consider it [a] ‘re-envisioning.’ It’s not meant to be some competitive thing. The drummer on the original, Mike Mangini, is probably one of the best drummers in the world. Dave Padden, our singer and guitar player, was great. It wasn’t about that. It was, ‘Let’s release a second version.’ Not stomp on the past.

Annihilator vocalist/guitarist Jeff Waters