All Hell Breaks Loose

Ten years after their last decent sign of life ("Cracked Brain"), Destruction arose from the ashes again. You surely know that the nineties had been a difficult decade for thrash metal. Under these circumstances, the reunion of Mike and Schmier was an important signal in order to stop the deathlike sleep of the genre, at least for the once self-confident scene in Germany. Destruction were back and they did not have the intention to waste even more time. Without showing any signs of fickleness, the band members grabbed their instruments and blew the shit out of every cracked or non-cracked brain. Sven Vormann, the new drummer, completed the line-up and showed a mature performance.

Right from the beginning, "The Final Curtain" and "Machinery of Lies" appeared as a bloodthirsty amok run. The juvenile energy of the band's early days reappeared and was supported by a noisy and mighty production. Well, the band really exploited the possibilities of modern recording technology and maybe this was almost too much of a good thing. Anyway, the aforementioned songs would be a very suitable soundtrack of the apocalypse in view of their aggression, fury and ruthlessness. Rapid riffs, high velocity drumming and a well recovered Schmier, what more could one expect? Stupid rhetorical question. More songs of the same quality level, I guess. Okay, so here we go.

Destruction did not hesitate to offer further mind-blowing smashers. The inferno went on and on. Catchy choruses shimmered through the maximum level of noise and anger and yet, nobody knew why, some melodies were able to withstand the overwhelming thrash assault. Yet irrespective of these melodic elements, the band was in ecstasy. At the latest "The Butcher Strikes Back" opened the next chapter of violent insanity. Its title was a blatantly obvious hint that Schmier and Mike referred to the most glorious days of their own past. The well known butcher had sharpened his knives once again in order to have more bloody meetings with potential victims. The screaming guitars of Destruction accompanied him with speedy and elastic lines that made your head bang rapidly. "Destruction strikes back / Devastating thrash attack", this excerpt of the lyrics said it all. As if that were not enough, a new version of "Total Desaster" was also included. This sonic stick of dynamite had already been perfectly implemented on their debut EP and the stupid lyrics were still despiceable. Nevertheless, the version of the year 2000 was more compact and the backing vocals had more power.

But in order to avoid a false impression, let me note that Destruction did not only celebrate their past. Instead, they proved that thrash metal had still a lot to say. The generic yet diversified album showed the genre in all its facets and the less rapid numbers scored at least with their heaviness and intensity. A song like the ponderous "X-treme Measures" did not belong to the highlights, yet it could not be blamed for being uninspired or lame. The pressure of the guitars pushed the listener in his seat and the cleverly designed structure of the song ensured a solid level. Nevertheless, the fast-paced tracks like the subsequent title track illustrated the real DNA of Destruction.

All in all, the reinvigorated formation returned with an infectious dozen of songs, although the last two numbers lacked a little bit of clear contours. But more than a handful of highly exciting tracks documented the newly regained relevance of Destruction and summoned more thrash heroes of the past to get out of their filthy holes. Further gimmicks would not have been necessary, but an additional disc contained Destruction's more or less legendary demo from 1984. The charmingly underground sound and the first virginal versions of their classics ensured a nice listening session while presenting surprisingly mature configurations of the tracks. A worthy supplement for a very good album.

After about a decade of silence by the band with Schmier not in the lineup, Destruction's main vocalist/bass guitarist is back! This was of course taking place in 2000. Destruction just wasn't the same without him. His unique vocals meshed so well with the Destruction of the old. Good to have him return, especially with this 2000 release declaring war when it comes to thrash metal, Destruction's divine genre.

The album opens with a clean guitar by Mike, then bam, the riffs that we once knew that he created are back in full force. Catchy, not boring, original, not copying anyone, and crunch tone that was more so effective as in the past. The whole album is like that. Crunch tone guitar and killer vocals by Schmier define Destruction as a whole. Mike still needs to brush up on his leads though. That was the only real bad thing to say about the album.

I still think that this band was better as a quartet with Harry in the band. His leads were very advanced and wicked. It especially showed in "Live Without Sense". But Mike's leads have improved somewhat, though I think that it should mainly be rhythm guitar with not so many leads on the album. I was glad that he didn't go overboard on this album. The rhythms just dominated, really great to have this band back with some awesome thrash!

Energy stricken music with songs just dishing out pure unique thrash metal. I absolutely loved the mixing and production. Everything was all just right. The bass, vocals, guitar, and drums. A superb job in that department. Nothing left out at all. This is an album that you can listen to over and over without getting sick of it. The butcher definitely stuck back with a vengeance!

Overall, this is one hell of a comeback album. If you're a fan of thrash metal and haven't heard this one yet, check out some songs on the YouTube. "Machinery of Lies" is a good track. If you think I'm full of it, then just listen and you will hear pure original thrash metal that is totally awesome. Good cover of Metallica's "Whiplash" as well. Great to have this band back in full force!

Reunions are typically panned by everyone on an all-encompassing spectrum, including the fans, critics, naysayers, believers, senators and most individuals of any breed. "All Hell Breaks Loose," though, interestingly created a rejoicing period amongst Destruction fans worldwide. The "Neo-Destruction" incarnation of Destruction (or a no-Schmier Destruction) was as good as dead before the bassist/vocalist returned; the group's plunge into unnatural crap turned the Butcher's work into dung, and his customers were quite disappointed with his lackluster performance. However, Schmier's must-needed return to the German thrash legends produced one of the most stable and consistent comeback albums ever. Granted, Destruction's prime was behind the band, but the ravenous three-piece discharged a nifty slab of thrashy metal that kicks ass and rocks, but above all remains loyal to the group's legacy, much unlike the status-quo of ill-fated reunions.

This incarnation of Destruction was no doubt finding influence from the second stage of thrash and the all-conquering groove metal; it was nearly a decade since Schmier and Mike Sifringer had worked together. While the touches of groove and post-primitive thrash are obvious, this still has a multitude of aggressive, thrashy riffs lacerating more energy than a kid on a Mountain Dew binge, all of which is topped off with a killer, crispy guitar tone and wonderful performances by each member. The material overall emits an aroma of modern thrash that isn't wildly varied or radically shifting, but the songs are generally explosive and volatile numbers of pure Destruction just as we know them, and Schmier's energetic, poisonous yelps sound as if he never left in the first place.

Call this blasphemy, but the (bazillioth) rerecording of "Total Desaster" here is easily my favorite; it's burning thrash swaying through circles of awesome modern touches fitting into the classic 80s feel, which certainly is not lost in this glorious update. "Tears of Blood" and "Machinery of Lies" are systematic thrashers which reek of absolute Destruction, nothing more. Hell, even the groove-influenced numbers ("World Domination of Pain," "Visual Prostitution") have enough hooks and great songwriting to keep the alloy fresh, whereas "The Final Curtain" and "The Butcher Strikes Back" remain crucifying trophies of modern thrash perfection. "X-Treme Measures" pays homage to the insipid groove hooks that ran the metal scene throughout the late 1990s, and the musical comparisons to Machine Head and the other groove monkeys are undeniable. "Kingdom of Damnation" is also quite forgettable and vapid, but the rest of "All Hell Breaks Loose" is spot-on Destruction sweating the energy and persistence of malevolent thrash metal honoring its German masters.

Albums and reunions that are years in the making usually fall flat, but "All Hell Breaks Loose" did not. The regression and progression (old-school and modern thrash) of Destruction's return feels right and natural, but also revitalizing considering how the garbage that was somehow stamped with the Destruction label prior to this reunion had disappeared into the blackest of oblivions, leaving the ashes of Neo-Destruction to swirl in the wind forevermore. Most of the following albums match or are superior to "All Hell Breaks Loose," but it remains a messy piece of ravenous, bestial, caffeinated thrash metal that sinks its teeth in and refuses to let go regardless. Oh Destruction, it's so nice you're back.

This review was written for: www.Thrashpit.com

With 'Neo-Destruction' flushing itself down the proverbial toilet with each new manifestation of groove and Thomas Rosenmerkel that infested the 90s, and the superb Headhunter being criminally overlooked by the metal realm at large, it was only too reasonable that Mike Sifringer and Schmier rejoin forces for a new century of the manic, biting thrash metal that carved their names in stone to begin with. All Hell Breaks Loose brings the band back to its original three-piece setup, with a new drummer Sven Vormann to complete the power trio. Complementing their rebirth, the band decided to record this at Abyss Studios, which was quite hot at the time (and still is), and they've even got Peter Tägtgren guesting on the "Total Desaster 2000" remake.

Turns out, the production choice was a wise one, because by far the strongest component of this comeback is its mix. Thick, fibrous guitar riffing brings out just about every note you could ask for. It's honestly a little loud here (they get the balance better on The Antichrist), but the evolution of studio sound would only benefit the German thrashers. Long gone is the fuzz of the Sentence of Death era and the confusing density of Release from Agony. Schmier's vocals still 'have it', thanks to a decade of kicking ass with his side band, but they're not quite so diverse, with only the occasional scream to top off the mid ranged anger. However, this really suits Destruction well, and always did, so you really don't feel as if you're missing out if you were one of the few enamored of Headhunter. The rhythm section is dynamic and frankly, brutal, with Schmier playing anchorman to Mike's rightful turn at the throne, and Vormann adapting well to the veterans' chemistry.

As for the songs themselves, most are incredibly solid, but there are very few that stand out long to memory. All Hell Breaks Loose is certainly the best thing Destruction had released since their superb live album Live Without Sense about 11-12 years prior, but it's not their most immortal in terms of songwriting. The intro is beautiful, with sparkling and eerie clean guitars, and the first few tracks "The Final Curtain" and "Machinery of Lies" herald the reunion with fits of thick, crushing anger and down to earth lyrics, but despite their frantic elevation they don't entirely pay off. "Tears of Blood" is better realized, with a mix of mid-paced and driving sections, some great Schmier screaming and melodies spliced in, and other positive evocations include "World Domination of Pain" and "The Butcher Strikes Back", the latter of which is the expected self-referential tribute, but not the 'ultimate' execution of this idea (that would come on the next album).

But outside of these 5 tracks, I can't say that I am totally feeling the album. It seems to drop off in thrust and quality the deeper in you go, with some dull grooves inhabiting "Extreme Measures" and "Visual Prostitution", the weakest here, but still possessing a few exciting hooks. I don't exactly love "Kingdom of Damnation" either, and the title track is a mixed bag. Also, while it's cool to have one remake here, "Total Desaster" doesn't really carry the same charm as the earlier incarnations, perhaps due to its excess sense of familiarity. Though it certainly can claim its peaks among the valleys, All Hell Breaks Loose is ultimately judged due to its proximity to The Antichrist, which is hands down one of the best thrash metal albums I've heard in my lifetime, and that can only dull the effect of this in retrospect. What we have here is an elaborate setup for a band to truly rediscover their muse and explode.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Finally, finally, after ten years Schmier is back and Destruction return to power!! Ten, long years, in which two crappy, grooving EP were put out, in which a ghost album could have been the only full length proof of a band that was going down without his mentor, his boss behind the command of the band. The 90s were the musical wreck for lots of bands and surely Destruction passed through them loosing more than something, but at the debut of the new millennium the things have changed in a good way and I hope for good. The last good album by this band (considered with Schmier) was Release From Agony and now they had to collect positive opinions after all these years. Did they succeed?

Well, the rust of the long times gone is a bit heavy among Mike and Schmier but I believe they were so excited by this comeback that they returned like teenagers for passion and power. All Hell Breaks Loose is the fitting example of a band that has returned to high levels and now let the music flow! The intro is short and the atmosphere becomes heavier and darker. The first impact is for the great “The Final Curtain” and we immediately understand that they are back. The production is powerful like never before for this band and even being quite modern, it’s never too clean or made to make lose power to the instruments because everything is LOUD. Everything is like a monolith of stone marching forwards and there’s nothing that can stop it.

The guitars pull out a majestic number of riffs while the up tempo parts are really essential, old school and pissed off. The vocals are always the same in nastiness, particularity and impact. There’s no complains about them at all, even after all these years. “Machinery of Lies” follows the same style with more devastating up tempo parts, sudden ultra heavy stops and unbelievably catchy refrains. “Tears of Blood” increases the already unexpected and ultra heavy impact with supreme, fast and numerous riffs and rapid tempo changes. The galloping, metallic riffs and the fast solos on “Devastation of Your Soul” are alternated to darker breaks and faster parts in which the violence reigns supreme.

With “the Butcher Strikes Back” we have another hymn to worship in Destruction’s discography. The tempo is always fast in this song, really. If you like fast thrash metal you cannot go wrong with it. The bass drum restarts by the refrain are massive outputs of pure violence and the riffs…holy shit. “World Domination of Pain” is more standard even if it’s still on good levels of brutality and songwriting. “X-treme Measures” is darker and doomy by the beginning showing some grooving viruses and it’s far less convincing than the previous ones. Basically it’s mid-paced and a bit boring while the title track displays again the dynamism required to make of a song a good one again. The violence rises again and the riffs are more direct and brutal.

“Total Desaster 2000” is a remake and sounds always devastating and really fast! “Visual Prostitution” features again some more modern elements and some stopped chords parts. It’s not the best but better than “X-treme Measures”. The last “Kingdom of Damnation” is pretty weak and with plenty of echoing effects on the guitars. The fast part is far better while the mid-paced one show some flaws in solidity and power. Overall, we needed Destruction on these levels or, more simply, we needed the original ones. The first part of the album is amazing and if it wasn’t for those modern elements on the second part, united to a weaker songwriting, this album could have been an almost masterpiece.

Ten years have passed since 'Schimer' left the band...now it's time for the pure comeback of the classic lineup with some new destructive stuff.

This album has been released in 2000, and it really defines how modern thrash should be in our days: vicious, agressive, heavy and catchy. The producion sounds pretty chaotic and fits perfect the tracks. The riffing sounds pretty evil and though it isn't unique as the 80's albums of Destruction, it still sounds different and imaginative. There are a lot of catchy moments here, especially the choruses which just sounds fresh and intense and works pretty good. The vocals sounds very different. It still raspy and raw, but now it sounds more lively and energetic than the 80's albums. Perosnally I liked more the old vox, but for a modern sound like this album, these vocals sounds proper.

'The Butcher Strikes Back' is the best track from this album. It's like a tribute for the fans and uses some of the old album titles in the lyrics, pretty catchy main riff and chorus as well. There aren't a lot solos in this album, as usual for Destruction, but still the leading guitar sounds very devastating and kick asses in the right places.

Overall, pretty solid thrash album, and excellent comeback. It has a new sound of thrash and doesn't fails as being a destructive comeback for such destructive band. Much better than the releases of 'Kreator' and 'Sodom' from the same period, and puts Destruction in a very high place of the thrash scene. Recommended for all the true thrashers out there!

Well, this is really thrash.....and it's new! None of that crap that's thought to be thrash these days. (i.e. Arch Enemy, the Haunted) This album is fucking vicious from start to finish, and is entirely refreshing.

It opens with and short and effective intro and leads into "The Final Curtain". Here is where the onslaught begins. Listen to that opening riff! Thrash hasn't been this kind of quality since 1990. Effective chorus and a nice little solo and you have yourself one of the best thrash tunes of the past 10 years. The ending of the song is a bit retarded, but that can be excused. "Machinery of Lies" is next up, with a catchy pre-chorus and main riff. At this point I must say the production rules, and is just evil and pissed off sounding. It's amazing that other bands that have been in this buisness as long as these guys still can't achive that. Schmier defintely has some insane vocal work on this album and it really shines through. "Tears of Blood," is just as vicious as the previous two with all the riffs in it. Mike's classic riff style is back, his solos aren't as prominent or long as they used to be, but that's forgivable."Devestation of Your Soul" is next up and starts up with some punchy riffs and a solo, calms down a bit, and then unleashes more riffs on you even though this song is a bit more forgettable then the past three,but it's still fucking solid. "The Butcher Strikes Back" is next and it sure lives up to the Butcher legacy, riffs everywhere and extremely catchy with awesome lyrics about the reunion. "Devastating Thrash Attack!" this definatley is. "World Domination of Pain" comes next and is a bit weak with some choppier riffs. It's totally pissed off sounding with some nice riffs, but a little lame after "The Butcher Strikes Back". 'X-Treme Measures" does sound a bit like a Machine Head song, making the lamest song on here. "All Hell Breaks Loose" is next and completely makes up for the last track being a let down. Schmier sounds as pissed off as ever and the guitar just sounds thick and meaty....I must say once again this production is really awesome. There is one riff in this song that just pops up and commands you to bang your head as if up from the dead. Then holy fucking monkey on a stick "Total Desaster 2000" fucking shreds and I must headbang. Oh yes, I can't decide if it's quite as good as the orginal, but it sure fucking rules. I must say that this is the world's most catchy song ever. Visual Prostitution is next and is weaker, it's not a bad as "X-treme Measures", but it really dosen't do too much for me. The album ends with "Kingdom of Damnation" and is a bit boring, and kind of a lame way to end the album. Too much fucking around with effects and stupid ideas. It starts to pick up half way through, but really dosen't smash your head on a rock like some of the other songs. There is a bonus cover of Metallica's "Whiplash" at the end. It's better than the orginal because Schmier owns Hetfield and Destruction is not homoerotic like Metallica.

Overall, this is amazing album escpecially since it is ACTUAL thrash, none of that wanna-be fake bullshit. Did I mention the prduction is good?....If you haven't got the hint yet, it really is. This actually compares well to the old Destruction material, making this a reunion that made sense and isn't just retarded like so many other bands. If you like thrash and who doesn't? Do yourself a favor and pick this up. It's hard to believe that this was written in 99/00. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This is a pretty damn solid comeback for Destruction. The slight problem is, though, is that it's 13 songs and some of it is just kinda filler. But there are some really fucking solid thrashers on here, so for the most part this one is a winner.

We start with The Final Curtain, which brings back the solid riffage of days gone by and adds to that a set of production values that just does not fucking suck - see, the thing that sucks about the old Destruction albums is that you just can't hear what is going on half the time. There are some really good riffs, but you couldn't tell. Well, here you can tell. Some really enjoyable riffs - if you like the classic Sifringer riff style, you'll drool over this song. Same with Machinery of Lies... and even Tears of Blood. Not that these are the same song over and over again - there is sufficient difference to be found here. For example the verses of Tears of Blood are just so fucking fast, and then the slightly slower chorus, and it goes together very, very well.

Devastation of Your Soul - here are some more great ideas, but then there's the first moments of weakness showing through... "you wake up in a pool of blood"... well, is it just me or are the guitars gone? They kinda return to that silly shit every once in a while, though most of the time it is some really solid riffs. Check out the excellent one right after the chorus. The Butcher Strikes Back - man, is this one fucking vicious or what?

World Domination of Pain - for the most part, more of the same stuff. Yes, some of the stuff on here is kinda similar-sounding, but well, it's a nice solid riff-set to choose from, and they vary up the riffs enough times during the song to keep it generally enjoyable. The chorus does sound a bit forced, though - sorta like some of Release from Agony (Our Oppression, anyone?).

Then, Extreme Measures - man, this song is just crap. It's like they took a page out of the Machine Head catalogue. Let us never speak of this one again? Uhh, just go back to the riff style that works and forget this ever took place.

Ahh like the title track... this is back to the stuff we know and love. "You've got no choice!!" Then, the vicious break in the middle around the 3 minute mark - man, when this one gets going, this one is a real fucking banger. Then, there is Total Desaster... the thing is, this is a remake of a 1984 song and it doesn't sound at all out of place. The production is very different, but the songwriting is the Destruction we know and love. Thus, I declare the new Destruction era a winner - they'd reach unparalleled heights on the next album after this, but even this one is very excellent.

Then, Visual Prostitution (Buggery?) has a bit choppier riffs here and there, and thus isn't quite as strong as some of the other stuff on here, but is still not bad at all. Then the closer, Kingdom of Damnation is also a bit on the weaker side... they did kinda run out of ideas by the end. This one just plods along, though not quite as badly as Extreme Measures. A bit of a downer on the ending, but man the album overall is very enjoyable.

Apparently some versions have a Metallica cover. Mine does not. But we have here a nice collection of solid fucking thrash that is a great addition to the Destruction catalogue.