ANNIHILATOR Mainman Hits Back At BLABBERMOUTH.NET Detractors

ANNIHILATOR mainman Jeff Waters has hit back at BLABBERMOUTH.NET detractors who have criticized him and his band in the wake of his claim that he is "the fastest/tightest-picking guitarist in the world."

Writing to ANNIHILATOR's official web site, Waters said, "I know i put out some GREAT CDs/songs and some not-great-ones. Not all songs I do (or ANY band does) are great. But many, many, many love what I do with ANNIHILATOR; at least some of it!

"It is SOOOO fun to get those folks going, you have no idea. It is like someone who has heard 1 or 2 of my songs, and then they base their opinion on those 2 tunes. When there are really 110+ other ANNIHILATOR tunes to listen to! I dont like all of AC/DC, SLAYER, METALLICA, PRIEST, MAIDEN, EXODUS songs but I sure like many of them. Those bands are some of my favorite bands ever!

"It is a lesson in social psychology to watch as people 'assume' you are something that you are not, because you have many line-up changes over 15 years. Ummm, has the thought ever crossed their minds that ANNIHILATOR is and always has been a solo project??! Hehe! Duuuh! Line-up changes can trigger the immediate thought 'Whoa; this guy must have a big ego and be an a..hole if he changes members so often.' Ummm... no. In solo projects that last for 15 years, there is bound to be many changes! In fact, I never want to keep the same line-up; boring.

"I would LOVE to hear their reaction after listening to more than 'Alice'/'Never' and the title track 'All For You'! Just because we never toured and released CDs in the USA for a long time, people assumed that we were not doing well and many thought and believed that the music after 'Neverland' was 'bad'. But they have never heard it and never knew that cd's like 'King of the Kill' (1994) and 'All For You' (2004) were a few of my biggest selling CDs and biggest touring!

"So you see, when people say we 'suck,' often this has some merrit. I don't like every song or every band; no one has to like ANNIHILATOR and we all have different tastes. But if this is said out of ignorance (heard this by way of rumour or only heard a few tunes OR only heard songs 15 years ago!),then what would they think if they knew that many of THEIR favorite bands and musicians like and respect ANNIHILATOR? That would sure mess them up! A good point! I could give you a list of 50 musicians that are 'fans' of what I do. It would make u go 'Wow!' But I won't; I just enjoy it greatly when they give me VIP passes to their shows! Haha!

"Don't tell 'em that we have 13 CDs out, over a million units sold and have been touring most every year throughout europe/asia and kickin' butt! Oh, and with bands like PRIEST, 22 tours, playing on shows with most every band they like, etc...!

"This Watersgate / Firestorm is the funnest thing that has happened to me in so long! But maybe it is un-fair to play on people's ignorance?!

"Oh yeah; did I mention (yes) that who can play the 'fastest' means poopoo! Got some attention though; NOT ONE PERSON has challenged this statement (fastest/tightest metal guitarist); every guitarist mentionned, so far, does not catch me. Some really hate that I might be right on that one!

"OK; I will stop now! Back to selling CDs and making music!"