DESTRUCTION „“Thrash Anthems””

Music: Thrash
Country: Germany
Web site: www.destruction.de


Cool Songs: Release from Agony, Invincible Force, Deposition (Your Heads will Roll)

DESTRUCTION is set to release “Thrash Anthems” on January 23, 2007. The album’s title is fitting because many of the tracks could be considered some of Thrash’s best anthems. The forthcoming album is a reworking of the some of the band’s best material from the ‘80s or vocalist, Schmier’s first era. Songs like “Bestial Invasion”, “Death Trap”, “Curse the Gods”, “Mad Butcher” and “Total Desaster” have assailed the ears and necks of thrashers for three decades now. After having been on hiatus from the band for all of the 1990s, vocalist Schmier returned in 2000, bringing a modernized thrash sound to the group.

“Thrash Anthems” revisits the older, primitive version of DESTRUCTION with a modern approach. None of the music is changed, but the production has been cleaned up, and they instituted a thicker, more apparent bottom end (turn it up loud to feel the heaviness of the kick drum and bass). Fans of the older recordings may baulk at the re-recordings because they lack the rawness of the originals. The drums are recorded too high in the mix on “Death Trap” and “Bestial Invasion”, taking away from the killer licks in these songs. However, placing the drums higher in the mix does draw attention to the Marc’s killer double bass and fills. Still, the drums kill one of the highlights of “Bestial Invasion”, the palm muted, speed pick parts. The production works in the favor of later recordings like “Cracked Brain” and “Release from Agony”. Acts like SLAYER, METALLICA, and KREATOR all went towards a cleaner, thicker sound during the late 80s and early 90s, which is what DESTRUCTION in turn did, so the re-recording fit quite well.

In addition to hearing older classics in a new light, those who snatch this up this album will hear two new tracks: “Profanity” and “Deposition (Your Heads will Roll)”. Restless fans that can’t wait for the next full-length (due out in 2008) get a nice sampler of the next album’s sound. Well…let’s hope that the next album sounds like these songs. “Profanity” contains excellent bar chord breaks in true heavy metal fashion that are great for banging your head or pumping your fist. “Deposition” is a dark track about inner torment featuring demonic vocal effects relayed by Schmier in the beginning. This track also has a melodic start and end, a technique seldom used by the trio, but effective when applied. The metal meat of “Deposition” consists of a SLAYER-like, chopping intensity.

“Thrash Anthems” seems targeted towards the fans that buy all-things DESTRUCTION. DESTRUCTION already released a more proper best of release, with two discs of all the classic songs you’ll hear on “Anthems”, but with the original raw recordings. The newer recordings are more likely to appeal to fans of DESTRUCTION’s newer material, though.

note: 7/10

Tracklist

Deposition (Your Heads Will Roll) **
Invincible Force
Release from Agony
Mad Butcher
Sign of Fear
Death Trap
Life Without Sense
Total Desaster
Bestial Invasion
Reject Emotions
Tormentor
Unconscious Ruins
Curse the Gods
Cracked Brain
Profanity **** indicates new song
Total Playing Time: 72:12

Line-up

Schmier-Bass & Vocals
Mark-Guitar
Marc-Drums