DESTRUCTION
With my Thrash hangover just now receding from last year's return, German legends DESTRUCTION have struck again. I would have expected to wait another 6 months or so for these grand old men of Thrash to give us another run at it but lo and behold, the trio have churned out another memorable piece of Metal migraine material.A disc full 11 new tracks, a shot of whiskey and some padded walls to bounce off of; the latter two don't come with the disc but they ought to because DESTRUCTION have lived up to everyone's expectations and created an even better album than the last. Don't ya just love these guys? The Antichrist is exactly what one would anticipate after All Hell Breaks Loose. There is absolutely no let up in fury this time around in case a few of you had the idea that perhaps the bands original members were graying at the temples and considering become a kinder, gentler type of Metal band. In fact, The Antichrist is an even more forceful and thuggish effort and the band's most violently executed to date. The anger behind the music is the method to their madness it seems. An improved, more cohesive production and a stronger emphasis on pure, unchecked aggression is what The Antichrist is all about. A high degree of intensity accompanies most tracks on this disc, among the most virulent being the opener "Thrash Till Death" (only DESTRUCTION could get away with a song title like this!), the very nasty "Nailed To The Cross", "Bullets From Hell", the classic "Godfather Of Slander" and "Creations Of The Underworld". These tracks alone should turn casual DESTRUCTION listeners into hardcore addicts. Ears bleed profusely from violently catatonic riffs, crashing drum slams, and Lord Schmier's hateful shrieks. The man is quite literally at his most psychotic. The riffs that drive this beast are some of DESTRUCTION's best since Infernal Overkill, an album that embodied the true meaning of Thrash guitar! Even the leadwork itself is at its pinnacle and most fans will find a hard time remembering when DESTRUCTION sounded this good. The Antichrist is just a crushing tirade of blistering, vintage Thrash. This album further bolsters the pride I have knowing I was listening to this band's music as far back as 1984. God, I'm old....
One gets the impression that DESTRUCTION were out to prove to the world that last year's comeback was not just a little tap on the shoulder to remind you that they'd returned but a steel pipe bludgeoning designed to send a clear message that DESTRUCTION still dominate the Euro-Thrash scene. There shall be some hefty fighting at the top with KREATOR and SODOM eyeing the throne. What an amazing year from all three German bands who seem to have been aware of each others efforts and were bent on seeing who would turn out the most memorable. So far my vote is with this one.
