Forty-two years after their foundation. Forty after the historic debut album “Infernal Overkill”. The legendary Destruction still declare themselves present and release their fifteenth full-length, showing that age is just a number if you have the appetite and love for what you do. And in what they do they were, are and will be one of the greatest thrash bands in the history of this music.
The, for a few years now, international act picks up where they left off with 2022’s also excellent “Diabolical”. And I say international because in everyone’s mind Destruction may represent Germany but apart from Schmier (bass, vocals), Randy Black on drums is from Canada and guitarists Damir Eskić and Martin Furia are from Switzerland and Argentina respectively. A line-up that gave the band a new look, since all their fans had a concern when the only stable member in their history, Mike Sifringer, left. Fortunately, however, they proved us wrong in the best possible way.
“Birth Of Malice” is what we expected and maybe a little bit more. It’s the characteristic thrash metal of Destruction, although there are some parts that add some extra touches. Often for example we will hear classic heavy metal influences in some riffs and solos, with “Cyber Warfare” and “Dealer Of Death” being prime examples. Also, very nice the massive mid-tempo “A.N.G.S.T.” and it’s a pity that they are not used to play in such rhythms as it suits them very well. The surprise, of course, is “Evil Never Sleeps” with the very melodic refrain and the participation of Jennifer Gruber of rockers Fireborn on vocals. At the end there is also an interesting cover of Accept’s “Fast As A Shark”.
Black is as usual a beast behind the drum kit, Eskić and Furia keep the classic sound of the band but add their own stuff to the mix while the titan Schmier sounds as fierce and passionate as when he started. “Birth Of Malice” is another great release in their discography and for me personally Destruction along with Tankard are the only ones who still hold high the flag of the German Big-4 in thrash metal. The other two only offer disappointment with their latest works.
