ALBUM REVIEW: Born To Perish – Destruction
DESTRUCTION‘s success is far flung from the stadium-filling, festival headlining power of thrash’s biggest names – but their legacy is every bit as important. One of the three outfits making up the Unholy Trinity of Teutonic thrash metal, alongside KREATOR and SODOM, DESTRUCTION have been moving from strength to strength for almost four decades, harnessing their visceral brand of thrash to rocket into the top tier of the genre. Born To Perish marks the band’s 14th full length album – 16th if you count the re-recorded compilations of Thrash Anthems and Thrash Anthems II – but, almost 40 years into their career, do DESTRUCTION still have the mettle to be one of the genre’s biggest and best names?
Absolutely. The first album since the departure of long-term drummer Vaaver last year, Born To Perish represents two major changes to DESTRUCTION. Firstly, the addition of Canadian drummer Randy Black of ANNIHILATOR and PRIMAL FEAR fame into the hole left by Vaaver; and secondly, for the first time in over two decades, the addition of a second guitarist to the DESTRUCTION lineup with Swiss shredder Damir Eskić. Coupled with the seemingly invulnerable stamina of front man Schmier and founding guitarist Mike Sifringer, the injection of energy and passion from Eskić and Black has led to some of the most inspired and expansive songwriting from the DESTRUCTION camp this century.
Right from the opening bars of Born To Perish‘s furious title track, it’s clear that DESTRUCTION are on fine form. Crushingly heavy with their German brand of raw, visceral energy, Schmier and co. show from the offset exactly why they’ve been one of Europe’s premier thrash outfits for almost four decades. Eskić immediately makes himself known with subtle flourishes that add a new dimension to DESTRUCTION‘s songcraft. An absolute rager and a guaranteed live favourite – a strong start. DESTRUCTION keep the momentum going, with highlight track Inspired By Death bringing riffs ripped straight from IRON MAIDEN‘s playbook, while video single Betrayer and Rotten bring an emphasis to the punkier side of thrash, and Filthy Wealth drops some groove into proceedings.
Side B of Born To Perish starts in wonderful form, with the wildcard Butchered For Life leading into raging highlights Tyrants Of The Netherworld and We Breed Evil. Butchered For Life starts as a far more reserved affair than what DESTRUCTION have showcased thus far, with an ethereal progression building up to the German’s classic ferocity and back again. This could have been an out-of-place flop, however the perfect execution here leaves Butchered For Life as one of the most interesting songs the band have written in years. In stark contrast, Tyrants Of The Netherworld is a barbarous assault of classic thrash, hitting hard and over in blitzkrieg speed, with We Breed Evil keeping the momentum rising towards Born To Perish‘s finale. Rounding the record off, Fatal Flight 17 brings that NWOBHM feel back into play once again, before Ratcatcher ends the album with breakneck speed.
The energy and inspiration Eskić and Black have injected into the steadfast duo of Schmier and Sifringer cannot be overstated. Though DESTRUCTION‘s most recent offerings have ranged from solid at the very least to strong, there was a very “by the numbers” feel to 2016’s Under Attack. Born To Perish sounds, first and foremost, like a band that has fallen back in love with songwriting. Thrash at it’s core, the record brings countless new elements into play, from the harmonised leads of Inspired By Death to the wild progression of Butchered For Life and the hints of death metal growls Schmier peppered throughout. DESTRUCTION may be almost 40 years into their career, but with this much energy and inspiration, it would surprise no one to see them thrashing for another 40.
Rating: 9/10
Born To Perish is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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