Ballistic, Sadistic
Annihilator · 2020
45 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless barrage of thrash metal aggression meets intricate guitar work and dark lyrical themes across each track.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Armed to the Teeth Start here — The opening track sets a blistering pace with intricate riffs and fierce vocals, encapsulating the album's aggressive tone from the outset.
-
→
I Am Warfare — This track features dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, illustrating the band's ability to blend melodic elements with thrash intensity effectively.
-
→
Dressed Up for Evil — With its catchy hooks and dark lyrical content, this song stands out as a testament to Annihilator's knack for crafting memorable yet heavy tracks.
-
→
Riot — The anthemic chorus and driving rhythm make this track a highlight, showcasing both technical prowess and accessibility within their heavy sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong thrash elements with intricate musicianship but remains within familiar genre boundaries.
What we noticed
- The album features aggressive guitar riffs that dominate the mix, often accompanied by rapid drumming and intense vocal delivery.
- Lyrical themes focus on dark and confrontational subjects, which are consistent across the entire album.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady energetic flow throughout
- relentless aggression for workouts
- intense focus during gaming sessions
- cathartic release of frustration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, uplifting sounds
- seek soft, mellow vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and a return to classic thrash roots after decades in the industry.
- Themes
- military aggression· dark lyrical imagery· thrash metal intensity
- Career context
- Released on January 24, 2020, 'Ballistic, Sadistic' is Annihilator's 16th studio album. The band was celebrating over three decades of existence and seeking to reaffirm their place in the heavy metal scene after a series of lineup changes and previous albums that received mixed reviews.
Tracklist
- 1 Armed to the Teeth Start here 4:26
- 2 The Attitude 4:02
- 3 Psycho Ward 4:39
- 4 I Am Warfare 4:46
- 5 Out With the Garbage 4:27
- 6 Dressed Up for Evil 4:41
- 7 Riot 3:46
- 8 One Wrong Move 4:36
- 9 Lip Service 5:49
- 10 The End of the Lie 4:16
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Conformicide
Havok
Shares the same aggressive thrash intensity and dark socio-political themes throughout.
Slime and Punishment
Municipal Waste
Combines relentless thrash energy with biting lyrics reflecting chaos and aggression.
Weapons of Tomorrow
Warbringer
Delivers intricate guitar work paired with militaristic themes and high-octane thrash metal.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.