Originally named Knight of Demon, Destruction are one of the pioneering German thrash bands, along with Sodom and Kreator. Early on they were inspired by Iron Maiden and the likes. But soon adopted an even heavier sound, inspired by Venom and Celtic Frost. Their first demo was labeled black thrash, and they kept this style for a while, before evolving to a standard thrash band. In 1990 Poltergeist vocalist André Grieder joined the band for a short time. After Greider left, Flemming Ronsdorf (Artillery) was asked to join Destruction as new vocalist but this line-up didn't work out and nothing was recorded with Flemming. Eventually the original line-up reformed.

RELEASE FROM AGONY (1988) STEAMHAMMER/SPV

'Release From Agony' is another album that will instantly give me a flashback to my youth. Destruction were one of the loudest, filthiest, angriest and most dangerous bands during my youth. Alongside their piers in Sodom, they were one of the most influential bands to the second wave of black metal bands, mainly because of their lyrical content, and the image of course. But by the time 'Release From Agony' came out, most of that "evil" imagery was abandoned for a "cleaner" approach. The lyrics are more social comments, and typical youth anxiety stuff. Musically they have also grown. While this is still some of the dirtiest thrash metal from the 80's, and we all thought it was as fast as it was possible to play back then, the production and song arrangements are still miles better than on the bands older material. Just check out a song like "Sign Of Fear", with Schmier's eerie vocals, combined with some almost progressive touches to the song structure. Other favorites includes the pummeling "Incriminated" and the classic title track of course. 'Release From Agony' is a crushing metal masterpiece, simple as that! It manifested Destruction as one of the big 3 in German thrash, together with Sodom and Kreator. 2 members of the latter appears as guests on this album.

Killer tracks: Release From Agony, Sign Of Fear, Incriminated

  METAL DISCHARGE (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST (2CD)

Legendary thrash metal veterans, Destruction, are still going strong in 2003. 'Metal Discharge' is the bands 8th full-length album, and the 3rd one released after the reunion in 2000. Destruction have become synonymous with quality German metal, and much like their piers in Sodom, you know what you get when they have new album out. This is the case with 'Metal Discharge' too. But dare I say that they are somewhat dabbling with a bit more modern sounds on this one?  Nah, it's just my hearing that is going impaired after this full on thrash metal assault! "Ravenous Beast" opens this ball, and it strikes me that these guys are even more extreme now, in their 40's, than they ever were in their 20's. It's quite astonishing, because the relentless frenzy does not let up, even for a second, until the music stops after "Vendetta". Schmier is spewing out the lyrics, like they were venom. And to some, they might just as well be. Destruction ain't exactly a happy sounding band, with songs about flower and love! I own a double disc version. The second discs consist of several demo tracks, and the following covers: "Killers" (Iron Maiden), "Whiplash" (Metallica) and "U.S.A." (The Exploited).

Killer tracks: The Ravenous Beast, Metal Discharge, Rippin' The Flesh Apart, Mortal Remains, Savage Symphony Of Terror, Vendetta

Schmier guest appearances:

Poltergeist - 'Behind My Mask'

Powergod - 'Long Live The Loud - That's Metal Lesson II'

Related artists: