ANNIHILATOR‘s supreme overlord, Jeff Waters, bless his little cotton socks, has decided that the UK is no longer worthy of his presence. Yes, you heard it right! He’s offloading his humble abode in Durham (which, let’s be honest, is basically Canada-lite anyway) and all his precious toys. Seems even guitar gods get bored of rainy weather and bad tea.🙄 With his equally entrepreneurial and tolerant wife Angie, they are selling their Durham estate/house, studio building/loft, all studio equipment, and the legendary Jeff‘s guitar collection. Because why not? More money for him, less gear for you, peasants.
You too can own a piece of metal history, or at least a room where metal history vaguely happened! The house/property is available on its own. But, if you’re feeling particularly delusional, you can purchase the studio gear and become a world-class studio owner with loft, simply because that’s how it works. Just add talent and some luck… or, you know, don’t. It’s your money.💸
Located 30 minutes from Newcastle International (for when you need to escape the North East) and Durham Tees Valley airports (for when you really, really need to escape), the studio is “nestled” in a private valley estate near Durham Cathedral. Nestled? More like lurking ominously, waiting for the next unsuspecting tourist to wander in and get blasted by a shred solo.😈
Angie, a Durham native and co-founder of a successful U.K. merch company (probably selling ANNIHILATOR thongs), is the real-estate mastermind and studio co-owner. Jeff, on the other hand, has been the mastermind behind ANNIHILATOR since 1984, writing for Sony/ATV, Warner Chappell, and various artists, playing guitar, producing, engineering, and owning three Canadian studios. Basically, he’s done everything except find a decent haircut.💇
Jeff chimes in with his oh-so-humble thoughts: “No retirement, no money probs, no divorce, no health issues: just downsizing most everything!” Translation: “I’m rich, bored, and my back hurts from carrying all this gear. Someone else can deal with it.” 🤣
“Studios and gear collections are a lot of work and maintenance, and it’s time to slow down — just a bit,” he explains. “A few people are going to love having this stuff and I’m sure many will find it cool to check out the first 100 guitars and more.” In other words, “I’m selling my junk so I can buy more junk, but smaller. Also, come gawk at my guitars before I sell them to some trust fund kid.” 🎸
For more information, visit Watersoundstudios.co.uk. Prepare to be underwhelmed by the website design and overwhelmed by the price tags.💰
Founded in 1984, ANNIHILATOR took the metal scene by storm with “Alice In Hell” in 1989, upped the ante with “Never, Neverland” in 1990, and continued releasing records and touring with big bands (mostly outside North America), cementing themselves as the biggest-selling metal act in Canada. Because, you know, Canada.🍁
In June 2024, ANNIHILATOR celebrated “Alice In Hell”‘s 35th anniversary with Stu Block singing the whole thing. Because nothing says “celebration” like reliving your glory days with a replacement singer. 🎤 They also played “hits” chosen by fans, proving that even die-hard ANNIHILATOR fans have questionable taste.
This past April, Metal Department released Jeff‘s “secret love child” AMERIKAN KAOS‘s second album, “All That Jive.” A “significant shift” in Waters‘s musical journey, blending influences and transcending boundaries. Translation: Jeff got bored and decided to play something that sounds vaguely different, but is still unmistakably him.👶
Block can be heard on “Metal II”, the reworked version of ANNIHILATOR‘s 2007 “Metal” album. Because why not rehash old material when you can slap a new coat of paint on it and call it “new?” 🎨 “Metal II” also features Dave Lombardo, because even drumming legends need a paycheck.
“Alice In Hell” was the first of six ANNIHILATOR albums to feature songwriting from John Bates, who was credited as the co-writer of the songs “Alison Hell”, “W.T.Y.D.”, “Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade” and “Human Insecticide”. Let’s be honest, without him, they would be nothing! 🤫
Three years ago, earMusic announced a reissue series of almost the entire ANNIHILATOR catalog. Because what better way to milk your fans than to repackage the same albums over and over again? 🐄 In total, 18 records are being released, including the original 2007 version of the “Metal” album. Because apparently, one version of “Metal” just isn’t enough. 💿💿
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
