Is Criteria for a Black Widow a good place to start with Annihilator?

Yes, Criteria for a Black Widow is recommended as a starting point for new Annihilator listeners. A relentless barrage of intricate riffs and aggressive rhythms, underscored by dark lyrical themes and haunting melodies. When 'Criteria for a Black Widow' was released in 2000, Annihilator was navigating a challenging phase following the departure of key members. This album marked a significant return to form after a few years of fluctuating lineup and commercial reception, showcasing Jeff Waters’ continued evolution as both a guitarist and a songwriter.

Who is Criteria for a Black Widow for?

Criteria for a Black Widow works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and complex arrangements and structures.

How many songs are on Criteria for a Black Widow?

Criteria for a Black Widow has 12 tracks, running approximately 67 minutes.

Criteria for a Black Widow

Annihilator · 2000

67 min · 12 tracks · heavy metal

A relentless barrage of intricate riffs and aggressive rhythms, underscored by dark lyrical themes and haunting melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bloodbath Start here — Opening with explosive energy, this track sets the tone for the album with its ferocious guitar work and gripping narrative about violence and chaos.
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Criteria for a Black Widow — The title track stands out for its complex structure and deep lyrical exploration of betrayal, blending melodic elements with aggressive thrash riffs.
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Sonic Homicide — This track showcases Annihilator's signature blend of speed and melody, featuring intricate solos that highlight Jeff Waters' guitar prowess.
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Loving the Sinner — The song's infectious chorus combined with its powerful instrumentation captures the essence of the album's thematic conflict between desire and morality.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album features intricate riffs and aggressive rhythms but lacks a strong cohesive flow across its length.

What we noticed

Several songs incorporate dual guitar harmonies that create a dense wall of sound, particularly in 'Bloodbath' and 'Sonic Homicide'.
The album includes interludes with spoken word segments that break up the intensity of the music, notably in 'Schizos (Are Never Alone), Part III'.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
complex arrangements and structures
dark, introspective moods

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Marked a strong return to form with technical musicianship and thrash roots.
Themes: betrayal and chaos· violent narratives· moral conflict
Career context: When 'Criteria for a Black Widow' was released in 2000, Annihilator was navigating a challenging phase following the departure of key members. This album marked a significant return to form after a few years of fluctuating lineup and commercial reception, showcasing Jeff Waters’ continued evolution as both a guitarist and a songwriter.
Stylistic neighbors: Megadeth· Metallica· Slayer