Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band formed in Ottawa in 1984 by guitarist and songwriter Jeff Waters, who remains the core member and creative force behind the group. Recognized as one of the "Big Four" of Canadian thrash metal alongside Sacrifice, Voivod, and Razor, Annihilator is known for its technical proficiency and energetic sound. The band has released seventeen studio albums, with Alice in Hell and Never Neverland standing out as highly influential in the Canadian metal scene. Despite frequent lineup changes, Waters has kept the band active, earning critical acclaim and a strong following, especially in Europe and Japan. Annihilator is noted as the best-selling Canadian heavy metal band, with most of their success coming from international audiences. Their latest album of original material, Ballistic Sadistic, was released in 2020.