Live Without Sense

If you want an album that's live that's doesn't have a poor recording quality, then this one fits within that mindset. It's one of the best live recorded albums that I've ever heard. The bass guitar was the only instrument that wasn't well heard on this recording, the rest of the guitars/drums were superb. Total thrash metal annihilation and Schmier leading the way on vocals. A collection here of unimaginable intensity as well as some of the best Destruction songs are featured on this release. The music is just stunning and the energy of the album is just blatantly intense. Schmier's screams reflect so much of his energy during the 80's.

As a matter of fact, this was the first "metal" album that I was introduced to at the age of 13. When I first heard it, I was blown away. The guitar riffs, Harry's amazing lead guitar work as well as free standing solo work with vocals that were so awesome to me and still I think are the best. This is almost exactly like a studio album, that's how good quality it is. Lead trade offs between Mike and Harry were just totally inexplicable. The band I think always worked better as a 4-piece, not a 3-piece. Not knocking Mike's capabilities on rhythm, just not leads. From my understanding, Harry used to practice the guitar 15 hours a day!

The order of the songs and execution of them is in the superior category.; Guitars seemed to be in standard tuning and the riffs are a collection of down picked frenzies with heavy bar chords foggy, lead harmonies by the guitarists in unison and Olly sounding great behind the set. It sure as heck wasn't rocket science to hear whose leads were whose. Harry gone from the band forever is a sad thing, but at least Destruction is still around even though they've really ran out of ideas. This live performance has so much momentum and unfathomable rhythms that just annihilate simply put.

Destruction's older recordings such as Sentence of Death, Infernal Overkill, Mad Butcher/Eternal Devastation Release From Agony did not have a good recording quality and a lot of the songs that were on this live album were ones featured here. This was right after Release From Agony was recorded which was about 25 years ago. If they could just get their old sound back would be great, but it's highly doubtful from here onwards and it's just something to accept. At least this album will stand alone in metal history and never bore any of you with it's unimaginable intensity.

Have never heard Destruction before? Well, pick this up ASAP because then you will know that this is some really amazing German thrash metal a lot like Sodom. These guys in my opinion are better than Sodom. It wasn't the same when Schmier left the band. But anyway, at least the fans and the longing for Destruction to reform as they once were before was the hope from the metal community. It was enough to convince Schmier that he needs to come back to the band. He did finally rejoin in 2000 to record the album "All Hell Breaks Loose" and as for Harry, well he's had some guest appearances on later albums. This release is just a jem, embrace it!

Perhaps the more miraculous fact about Live Without Sense is not that it's the best live thrash album of the 80s, nor one of the best live German metal albums of all time, but that it manages to take the already superb material of a band and make it sound better. Yes, by 1989, Destruction had not sounded superior than they do on this record, and it rewrites the fuzzy tones of Sentence of Death/Eternal Devastation, and the surgical, frightening cold of Release from Agony into a brazen, consistent 53 minute set of the band's best material. Yes, excluding later greats like The Antichrist, you've got almost all the essential Destruction material, here in its prime form, and in my book it's worth every penny to the non-poseur.

Schmier sounds insanely good here, especially his screaming diversions, and the guitars are crisp and delicious as they bite through each layer of your sanity. Mike Sifringer and Harry Wilkens are fucking spotless. Also, you've got a great set that draws from the band's entire 80s catalog, and in most cases, the best versions of the songs available elsewhere. The crude classics from Sentence of Death are perhaps underrepresented, with only "Mad Butcher" and no "Total Desater", but that's the only plausible complaint. Infernal Overkill's contributions are "Bestial Invasion", "Invincible Force", and the instrumental "Thrash Attack", the last of which sounds simply amazing as it bursts into its super catchy bridge. Eternal Devastation makes up for some of the best tracks here in "Curse the Gods", "Eternal Ban" and "Life Without Sense", the last of which is touched off with a brief, fun cover of "In the Mood". "Reject Emotions" is present from the Mad Butcher EP, and Release from Agony is covered with "Dissatisfied Existence", "Unconscious Ruins" and the title track.

Yes, sets like these once happened, and yes, we can be fucking envious of those that saw them. However, Live Without Sense is culled from a number of dates through 1987-1988, so at least we can rest assured that Destruction wasn't this perfect on a single night (who could be?) As far as management of track listing, and the audio quality is remarkable, easily devouring Sodom's Mortal Way of Live from the previous year. I'm shocked to say it, but Sentence of Death aside (which carries a particular nostalgia for its lo-fi tones), Live Without Sense is perhaps the 'go to' album of the band in the 80s. Certainly I would recommend this to any newcomer to the band as a starting point, since it has most of their best songs in the span of an hour. When I first picked it up, I didn't pay it much attention, since I was flooded with new albums in the 80s that were to say the least, eargasms of creativity and execution, but through the ensuing decades, I've grown almost as fond of this as Live After Death.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Actually, I should be doing something more productive right now, like learning for my exam tomorrow. After listening to Destruction's "Eternal Devastation", I tasted blood and was craving for more. So the live album was the next in line. Now the first thing you expect when listening to an old live album, is bad quality, amateurish played songs that differ vastly from the CD recordings and of course a limp and pussy delivery of live announcements. Well that is of course true for most bands that show off on their albums, pretending to sound oh-so-professional, while sucking utterly and disappointing to oblivion (*cough* Fear Factory *cough*). Destruction's first live album is one of those amazing live albums from a band with enough energy to reverse the universe's expansion (other that come to mind are Priest's "Unleashed in the East", W.A.S.P.'s "Live Assassins" or Exodus's "A Lession in Violence").

Upon visiting festivals/concerts/whatever, one problem always seems to arise. That problem is that most bands are rather wimpy live. They disappoint in horrendous ways. Take for example Rotten Sound's music: very aggressive and you'd think the singer is an animal live, but actually while not being horrible, he is quite a shy guy. Well Destruction don't make compromises. They seem to come onto the stage, start playing, one or two comments to the audience, but no speeches about shit people do not need to hear. These guys had charisma back in the days and they have it nowadays (Summerbreeze 2008 was a killer live show i.e.). Whatever it they have, it's authentic, it's brutal, it's massive and coming your way. Additionally, their mixer must be a real competent man, as this recording from 89 (!) surpasses most live shit we get nowadays, one can even hear the audience going crazy, while the guitar tone and drums saw through the speakers, delivering some goddamn great riffs. The bass is amazingly present on this release, normally it goes under pretty fast on live recordings (I am going to assume this is a live recording, as they sound live exactly like on this CD).

One of a time thrash from a period long forgotten and a dying scene. This is music for people who respect not only the instrumental ability, but also the other very important aspects of thrash, namely the performance, the charisma and balls Destruction have to offer. A great successful live album with a hidden Pink Panther melody within. Impressive violent fun. I like.

There lies a controversy whether this was a studio version live CD or an actual live CD. In either case, this release simply is thrash metal domination! All of the classic Destruction songs featured on here!!! Destruction never abandoned their thrash roots and this release is a good example. Their first few releases ('Sentence of Death' [1984], 'Infernal Overkill' [1985], 'Eternal Devastation' [1986] & 'Mad Butcher' [1987]) lacked good productions but there was definitely some classic tracks on those albums featured here on this live release which is well produced and executed.

What captivated me was Harry's [Wilkens] guitar solo (just him without the rest of the band) showing his amazing talent executing incredible licks. The drums by Olly Kaiser are simply pounding with extreme intensity well composed in synchrony with the rest of the band. He replaced their previous drummer Tommy Sandmann who was featured exclusively on 'Sentence of Death'. This 4-some display some real talent here both guitars (Mike Sifringer & Harry Wilkens) in great synchrony with each other though the bass guitar by Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer was not in my opinion loud enough and Olly Kaiser very solid effort on drums.

Destruction in my opinion has always displayed original types of riffing and unique vocals by Schmier with lyrics touching on various aspects such as religion, depression, and composing awesome 'Thrash Anthems' which is evident on this release. The riffs are not extremely technical if you are a guitarist you probably like myself take note of this but still original sounding and excellently executed. On a sour note though this really does sound like a live studio release than an actual live release with a "real" crowd. It is well produced and mixed no doubt but the fact that I think it was recorded in a studio will take some points away from my overall rating of the album.

But still the track 'Mad Butcher' is probably the best overall song they've ever released from their point of origin till present day (though 'Inventor of Evil' [2005] has some amazing songs on it). Incredible display of both guitarists in synchrony on the lead to this song (about halfway through it) Destruction just plain kicks ass!!!

If you are into thrash metal with songwriting originality (at least in terms of the guitar works) this release is worth picking up (despite the live studio release controversy which Schmier denies that it was a live studio recording but that it was actually recorded live).

Note: USA version reviewed: 1. Curse the Gods / 2. Unconscious Ruins / 3. Thrash Attack / 4. Invincible Force / 5. Dissatisfied Existence / 6. Reject Emotions / 7. Eternal Ban / 8. Mad Butcher / 9. Pink Panther/Life without Sense / 10. In the Mood/Release from Agony / 11. Bestial Invasion

If you like thrash metal you need to hear this release right away if you haven't already. On this live album which is a very satisfying length, Destruction are at the top of their game. In a way, they come across as a more violent version of Metallica circa Master Of Puppets. They combine brutish, primal thrash riffs with a technical finesse that few others at the time or since, have been able to execute as effectively as this.

Up to this point in their careers, Destruction had released 4 studio albums (if you count the Sentence Of Death debut E.P.) and they all had certain aspects to them that might leave a listener wanting, especially in the production department. Sometimes, if the sound wasn't quite a powerful kick in the face, it was the abundance of killer riffs that kept you coming back for more. Other times it wasn't really the fault of the production or the riffs so much as the slow-paced, unenthusiastic performance that felt a little dry. I must certainly say that in my opinion all Destruciton is good Destruction but as a fan I just feel that it was on this live showcase that Destruction was really at their all-time best.

Let's backtrack to 1986's Eternal Devastation full length release by Destruction. That album had lots and lots of great riffs and loads of cynical, misanthropic thrash attitude curteousy of lead vocalist Schmier; but when I listen to some of the same songs from that album, performed on this live album, there is something so blatantantly missing for all to notice and that was the addition of lead guitar prodigy "Harry".

What Destruction's Harry did was take the already brilliant technical thrash riffs from previous albums and open them up from a mono-esque tone setting to a crushing bonafide 100% stereo experience by adding his intelligent second guitar lines to all the classics offered here. Curse The Gods, Invincible Force, Life Without Sense, all come alive like never before. But let's not forget that Harry played on the studio release that came just before this live release called "Release From Agony", also a total thrash classic, and that all the killer songs from that album sit extremely nicely alongisde all the classics from their past. Now let me just go down the long list of what Harry brings to Destruction; neo classical lead flare, priest-esque guitar harmonizing, a doubled up thickness and presence, a wider stereo spectrum to the sound, a more professional feel, more assorted guitar heroics, and added creativity in the overall scheme of things. Finally, I would just like to say that the guitar team of Harry and Mike in this lineup of Destruction is like milk and cereal, it just goes together so well.

Another vast improvement to the original 3-piece Destruction lineup in my opinion, would have to be the addition of drummer Olly Kaiser to the fold. Let's take a look at all the goodies he brought with him to the mad butcher's table.

Now i'm not saying that original Destruction drummer Tommy Sandmann wasn't a splendid ol' chap that did a fine job on the old albums, i'm just saying that when Olliver Kaiser joined the band on the Release From Agony album, he brought with him a whole new power and technicality to Destruction's outdated rythm section. His steady handed, syncopated, and relentless attack possessed both sharp tone and vision. In the album's artwork which is really cool by the way, we see a live caricature of the band done as puppets who are being controlled by the band's mascot the "Mad Butcher" from atop the stage. In his hands Olly has two big meat cleavers instead of drumsticks, you get the point?

The sound quality here is astonishingly good for a live album. All the instruments are clearly audible and what's also very beautiful is that it is here that bassist/vocalist Schmier's unique attitude is more apparent than ever. If you aren't able to appreciate his lyrics and vocals here, I don't think you ever will.

Ok so here's the bottom line, if you want to rock to a total thrash classic that's just about as flawless as I can see it, then put on this album right away but don't forget to put on a neckbrace first.

It's just wonderfull to see (or maybe hear) how production can turn songs which had been sounded so flimsy, to a lethal merciless monster. It's all about the fucking riffs! Damn, listen to 'Infernal Overkill'. Now, compare 'Invincible Force' and 'Bestial Invasion' of that lame produced album, with how they sounds in the right production. Do you feel like shooting the producer of their first LP? It's okay, you are not alone.

If you still don't get it, let me clear it: the sound of this album is completely rocks! The riffs sounds livelier and heavier than ever, if in 'Infernal Overkill' I didn't noticed some riffs of 'Thrash Attack' because they all blended and sounded crude like a tetris game, here it's totally blow me away! You feel like you were deaf when listening to all their old classics and thought that you knew it well, but then you just put this cd and you feel like listening too all these stuff for the first time, and now it's all sounds heavier, bigger, clearer, thrashier...just much more better!

If you have never heard 'Destruction' before, I suggest you to pick up this album first. It's sort of their greatest hits, it has their best production ever, and it's their best effort so why not begin with that one? This is a collection of unique thrashing riff monsters which are played with a lot of tight and power within, and I'm sure you gonna dig it for a long time. And if you heard this band but not this album, go get it right now because I'm sure you'll gonna be surprised of how powerful this band should really sound. Highly recommended.

Highlights: all of them, no bad tracks at all.

Man, this is how Destruction should sound! The first few LPs had the decent riffs, but the production totally buried them. Here, they play the songs at 115% intensity and they come out sounding completely fucking killer. Here's the thrash break that makes "Invincible Force" totally legendary - here's the definitive version of "Curse the Gods", etc etc.

This must be heard to be believed - if you think you've enjoyed Infernal Overkill or whatnot before... you will fucking die this time. Fear the fucking butcher! Man, those riffs are fucking nuts in "Mad Butcher", "Thrash Attack", all the other classics... and for the first time, with this special offer, you can actually HEAR them! This has the best production of ANY Destruction album, and that includes The Antichrist, which sounds like a three-headed killer wielding a battle-axe the size of the Eiffel Tower. Well, this one is wielding fucking Mount Everest. Fuck France and their pussy ways. Most studio albums wish they could sound this good... every instrument perfectly placed and audible, yet not so overtweaked as to sound completely fake.

"I hope you know this one!" Sure, the crowd agrees, but do they - do they really? They do now! Even the kinda slow plodders like "Release from Agony" move along on this one, mowing down everything that dares oppose them. Fuck yeah, this is where Destruction turns into a fucking riotous riff monster. Their best release, and an eternal thrash classic.