Description

Original European 1993 cd single

Annihilator’s third album, Set The World On Fire, would be the first of their albums to be really panned, mostly due to the increased amount of mainstream/glam/pop metal influences that frontman Jeff Waters attempted to blend into the band’s (formerly) tech-thrash sound. What to some might seem as a shame ends up being a total tragedy after hearing what might have been. If the album would have just stuck to the formula set up by the single and not juggled styles as it did, that album would certainly not be seen in the generally negative light that it often is today. So the single features what would be known as two of the best songs off of the full-length. The title track Set The World On Fire and Knight Jumps Queen. The title track isn’t an all out thrash assault, but it features one hell of a cool main riff and a great sense of melody (though the lyrics are a bit contrived). Shame there weren’t more songs like this on the album. The other is Knight Jumps Queen, the bass-oriented groover with the clever lyrics about a chess match. Again, not a true thrasher, but the type of song that the full-length really could have used more of. While these two songs would go on to appear on said full-length, it is the third, rarest track that is most interesting. This line-up’s rendition of Hell Bent For Leather is awesome. It channel’s the incredible energy and catchiness of the original while making it heavier and adding Annihilator’s unique style to it. Think that solo couldn’t get any better? Listen to Neil Goldberg’s sweep-arpeggiated variation and think again. This is also Aaron Randall’s finest vocal performance in Annihilator, hitting all the highs and lows without strain. Even if you already have Set The World On Fire, this is worth getting for that great cover.

Track list:
1. Set The World On Fire
2. Knight Jumps Queen
3. Hell Bent For Leather-Judas Priest cover