For their 16th studio, German thrash legends have delivered another enjoyable slab of neck-snapping metal for Napalm Records, titled Birth of Malice. Of course, founder Schmier is back on bass & vocals, and he's joined by Randy Black on drums, and the twin-guitar attack of Martin Furia and Damir Eskic, because, well, it takes two players to replace the irreplaceable Mike, who retired from the band a few years ago. The end result still sounds like a Destruction album, and the formula doesn't deviate from what this exact foursome gave us back in 2022 with Diabolical. After the opening instrumental title track, the band pounce on the listener with "Destruction", a rampaging thrash monster fueled by terrific riffs, solos, pummeling drums, and Schmier's vengeful snarl. I can't believe it's taken the band 40 years to come up with a song called "Destruction", but better late than never! "Cyber Warfare" is frantic, with some crazy-ass riffing and soloing from the guitar tandem, and the chorus is damn catchy, a trend that we will see throughout the album. Love your thrash brutal? Check out "No Kings-No Masters". Want a thrash album that you'll be singing along with and headbanging to long after its ended? Then check out "Scumbag Human Race", a song that is all too relevant these days, with a chorus that will leave a lasting impression on you. Other highlights include the vintage Metallica-sounding "Dealer of Death", the mid-paced, South of Heaven era Slayer banger "A.N.G.S.T.", and the menacing, yet still groovy "Greed", all enjoyable, crushing thrash gems. Sure, a few are kinda standard fare, such as "God of Gore" and "Chains of Sorror", and the cover of the Accept classic "Fast as a Shark" is nicely done but kind of pointless, so it's not all absolutely top shelf, but the very good far outweighs the somewhat average.
In short, Destruction isn't breaking new ground or doing anything new here, but what Destruction do they do very well. It's another in a long line of very strong releases from this important trash band.
Track Listing
1.
Birth Of Malice 01:00
2.
Destruction 05:22
3.
Cyber Warfare 04:24
4.
No Kings-No Masters 04:10
5.
Scumbag Human Race 04:17
6.
God Of Gore 04:10
7.
A.N.G.S.T. 05:08
8.
Dealer Of Death 04:55
9.
Evil Never Sleeps 04:28
10.
Chains Of Sorrow 04:12
11.
Greed 04:59
12.
Fast As A Shark 03:28
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
