I can see why skeptics may dismiss this as yet another rehashed nostalgia reunion album, considering that Waters corralled four-fifths of the original Annihilator line up to record the album, even calling upon alcohol- ravaged lead vocalist Randy Rampage for an abbreviated, drunken stint. Or his decision to cram as many old school thrash riffs as humanly possible into the space of just under an hour. Questionable motives? Perhaps. Yet who really gives a shit, considering that Criteria for a Black Widow might possibly earn the distinction of being the band's strongest release since the Alice in Hell debut.

Of course the album isn't perfect, the scorchers counterbalanced by a handfull of snoozers. But for every "Criteria for a Black Widow," replete with quite possibly some of the most juvenile lyrics ever penned by Waters, is a burner like the opener "Bloodbath," initially a mid-tempo affair that evolves into a full-on, thrash metal onslaught. Much like "Back to the Palace," an homage or a ripoff - your call - to Never, Neverland's "The Fun Palace," which fortunately detracts attention from "Punctured," a Silverchair-inspired number - Water's own admission - in which Rampage dons his "best" Dave Mustaine snarl.  Also of note is "Loving the Sinner," a personal favorite, and "Sonic Homicide." Add to the mix the obligatory instrumentals - "Schizos (Are Never Alone) Part III" and "Mending" - and you've got an Annihilator record. And a pretty damn good one at that.

Of particular interest is the second of two bonus tracks available only on the American release - and I thought they only got those in Japan - simply dubbed "Jeff Waters Speaks," in which the guitar idol discusses not only the events in his life that led to his decision to call on his old bandmates once more, but also a track-by-track rundown whose purpose may only be to satiate my desire for all things trivial. Self indulgent? Perhaps. But I wish more bands followed this approach, letting down their guards without wallowing in the existential muck of self pity a la the Jonathan Davises of the (faux) metal world. 

So is Criteria for a Black Widow the thrash metal release of 1999? I think so, if you no longer consider Testament thrash, as I do. And it's about time, considering the United States has been deprived of Annihilation for much too long.