For the past few years these ragers have been taking their brand of Bl'ast-influenced punk all over the world. Their first LP was twelve inches of furious hardcore taking from 1980s California bands like Black Flag, Aggression, and Bl'ast. The Bad Reputation 7" took the band into a new direction, influenced more by the '70s rockers that those California bands adored.
On II, the Annihilation Time dudes take a giant leap back into the fuzzed-out riff-rock era. The sound was thickened up by adding the former guitar player for Ohio thrashers Gordon Solie Motherfuckers, Shaun Filley. Even with the influence of Blue Oyster Cult, early Deep Purple and Blue Cheer, they still hold on to their punk roots, showing off hints of bands like The Germs, Sick Pleasure, and RKL. The record was done at Holland's Motorwolf Studios. The sound was created almost exclusively using vintage gear while the band was on a break from touring Europe. Whatever they did, it was all worth it because this is the best record of 2005 so far.
The cover of the CD pretty much sums it up for this album. The five band members' heads are depicted rising out of a toilet in a puff of bong smoke and a sea of multi-colored pills. Surrounding the smoked-out rockers are monsters reminiscent of '80s skateboard graphics. Beneath the scene are the faces of Lemmy Kilmister and Phil Lynott, accompanied by mushrooms, beer cans, and a zombie wearing a BOC t-shirt. I really can't think of a better description of this record than the one that the artist put on the cover.
From start to finish, this album smokes. The album has nine new original tracks. Along with those there is a new version of "Panic" off of the 7" and a cover of retired fuzz-rockers Pink Fairies. If you like Black Flag, The MC5, Black Sabbath, and the Stooges, you need to own this album. If you don't like Black Flag, The MC5, Black Sabbath, and the Stooges, you seriously need to rethink your entire existence. II is a trip into the world of snotty psychedelic hardcore punk that's fueled by booze, Vans Old Skools, and lots and lots of drugs. This album will hopefully inspire other bands to take a swan dive into their dad's Alice Cooper albums. Buy this album. See this band on tour. This record rips.
