Annihilator › Similar Artists

Exodus - 100% match to Annihilator

Overkill - 99% match to Annihilator

This thrash metal quartet was formed in New York, USA, in 1984 by vocalist Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth, guitarist Bobby Gustafson, bass player D.D. Verni and drummer Rat Skates. Together they self-financed the recording of a mini-album. Desperately short of cash and exposure, they sold the rights to the small Azra label and made a net loss. They were soon picked up by Meg Read more

Testament - 84% match to Annihilator

This US thrash act was one of the first to emerge from San Francisco’s Bay Area in Metallica’s wake in the 80s. Originally formed as Legacy in 1983, becoming Testament two years later, the line-up included vocalist Steve Souza alongside Alex Skolnick (29 September 1968, Berkeley, California, USA, replacing original guitarist Derrick Ramirez), Eric Peterson (b. 14 M Read more

Kreator - 81% match to Annihilator

Formed in Essen, Germany, in 1984, under the name Tormentor, this heavy metal band originally comprised Milan ‘Mille’ Petrozza (guitar/vocals), Rob Fioretti (bass) and Jürgen ‘Ventor’ Reil (drums). Their vicious thrash style was inspired by the filth and industrial pollution problem that Essen, on the River Ruhr, was experiencing. After changing their n Read more

Anthrax - 79% match to Annihilator

This New York, USA-based thrash metal outfit was formed in 1981 by Scott ‘Not’ Ian (Scott Rosenfeld, 31 December 1963, Queens, New York City, New York, USA; rhythm guitar) and Dan Lilker (b. 18 October 1964, USA; bass). After a series of personnel changes, Ian and Lilker were joined by Neil Turbin (vocals), Dan Spitz (b. 28 January 1963, USA; guitar) and Charlie Be Read more

Death Angel - 78% match to Annihilator

This group was formed in San Francisco, California, USA, the home of the Bay Area ‘thrash’ phenomenon, in 1982. The band comprised five cousins, namely Mark Osegueda (vocals), Rob Cavestany (guitar), Gus Pepa (guitar), Dennis Pepa (bass) and Andy Galeon (drums). Their debut, The Ultra-Violence, was a brutal blend of high-speed thrash riffs and thunderous drums. The ba Read more

Destruction - 71% match to Annihilator

Along with Kreator, this speed metal band was at the forefront of the 80s German thrash scene, although Destruction never quite achieved the former’s level of success. Destruction was formed in 1983 in Weil am Rhein, Germany by Schmier (Marcel Schmier Schirmer; bass, vocals), Mike Sifringer (guitar) and Tommy Sandmann (drums) made a rather raw debut with 1984’s min Read more

Sodom - 68% match to Annihilator

This German black metal/thrash trio was formed in 1983 by Tom Angelripper (bass, vocals), Aggressor (vocals, guitar) and Chris Witchhunter (drums), drawing inspiration from bands such as Motörhead, Anvil and Venom. Aggressor was replaced by the similarly pseudonymous Grave Violator on the agenda-setting debut EP, In The Sign Of Evil. By the time Obsessed By Cruelty emerged Read more

Nuclear Assault - 57% match to Annihilator

Formed in New York, USA, in 1985, this extreme and influential outfit initially comprised John Connelly (guitar/vocals), Dan Lilker (18 October 1964, USA; bass), Mike Bogush (guitar) and Scott Duboys (drums), although Anthony Bramante and Glenn Evans quickly replaced the latter pair. Lilker formed Nuclear Assault while still a member of Anthrax, making them one of the earlie Read more

Forbidden - 53% match to Annihilator

Originally travelling under the moniker Forbidden Evil, this US thrash metal band was formed in San Francisco, California, in 1985. Its original line-up comprised Russ Anderson (vocals), Glen Alvelais (22 February 1968, Hayward, California, USA; guitar), Craig Locicero (guitar), Matt Camacho (bass), and Paul Bostaph (b. 6 March 1964, San Francisco, California, USA; drums), w Read more

Megadeth - 50% match to Annihilator

This thrash metal quartet was founded in San Francisco, California, USA, by guitarist Dave Mustaine (David Scott Mustaine, 13 September 1961, La Mesa, California, USA) after leaving Metallica in 1983 (he co-wrote four songs on the latter’s debut album, though he did not actually appear on it). Recruiting bass player Dave Ellefson (b. David Ellefson, 12 November 1964, Ja Read more

Evile - 49% match to Annihilator

Metal Church - 49% match to Annihilator

Formed in Aberdeen, Washington, USA, in 1982, Metal Church initially comprised David Wayne (1 January 1958, USA, d. 10 May 2005; vocals), Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Craig Wells (guitar), Duke Erickson (bass) and Kirk Arrington (drums). Their 1984 debut was a phenomenal album, brimming with energy and promise. The style was the then-evolving thrash metal sound, and Metal Chur Read more

Dark Angel - 47% match to Annihilator

Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1981, Dark Angel specialize in ‘ultra-heavy thrash metal’. The original line-up comprised Don Doty (vocals), Jim Durkin (guitar), Eric Meyer (guitar), Rob Yahn (bass) and Mike Andrade (drums), although the latter was quickly replaced by Jack Schwartz. Early demos saw the band sign to Azra Records, resulting in the release of Read more

Accept - 43% match to Annihilator

This German heavy rock quintet originally comprised Udo Dirkschneider (vocals), Gerhard Wahl (guitar) and Wolf Hoffman (10 December 1959, Mainz, Germany; guitar), Frank Friedrich (drums) and Peter Baltes (bass). Formed in 1976 in their home town of Solingen, Jorg Fischer replaced Wahl in 1978. The band’s power metal sound was characterized by Dirkschneider’s guttur Read more