Oakland’s Annihilation Time are a rare, rare find for the aught years—a prodigiously talented and punk-derived guitar band that is familiar with the honest-to-goodness musical language of rock. Their third album, and first release on Tee Pee Records, finds the band stronger than ever, with a crushing rhythmic core and dueling guitar solos that are not only muscular and modest but purposeful.
The effect of this record is something like Thin Lizzy (or maybe James Gang) if they’d signed with SST Records in ‘82. Black Flag is the clear precedent for this music, or rather this type of rhythmic drive. The rhythm section of bassist Chris Grande and drummer Noel Sullivan recalls the dynamic duo of Flag’s Kira Roessler and Bill Stevenson at their peak—a forceful, tumbling machine that seemed incapable of derailing despite the utter chaos in the guitars and singing. What distinguishes AT from their forerunners is the absence of awkward melodic left turns in the guitar playing, and the absence of macho-dude posturing in Jimmy Rose’s vocals. This is a punk-derived rhythm section with nothing but pure hard rocking and slightly warped, riffy goodness on top (guitarists Wes Wilson and Graham Clise are simply unstoppable). Perhaps that puts them more in the Didjits’ camp than Black Flag’s. But to reduce AT to the sum of their influences is belittling; though their influences are apparent, this beast fights its own fight.
Annihilation Time have fine-tuned their craft over the course of three albums, resulting in a well-defined group dynamic. That can easily be mistaken for formula, and though this music is exciting and galvanic, each song is of roughly the same quality and tone. Some listeners might regard that as a hindrance, but this is an album that rewards repeat listens. Over time, detail and nuance emerge from the adrenaline blur. One can’t help but marvel at how such a solid, unchanging approach never gets boring.
So long as they avoid the self-indulgent sludge potential of the almighty riff (specifically, by allowing their punk foundation to keep them in check), they could make a career cranking out great records like Tales of the Ancient Age.
– Mike McGovern
Annihilation Time: www.annihilationtime.net
Tee Pee Records: www.teepeerecords.com