Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Destruction – Inventor Of Evil – 2005 – AFM

Track Listing 1. Soul Collector 2. The Defiance Will Remain 3. The Alliance Of Hellhoudz 4. No Man's Land 5. The Calm Before The Storm 6. The Chosen Ones 7. Dealer Of Hostility 8. Under Surveillance 9. Seeds Of Hate 10. Twist of Fate 11. Killing Machine 12. Memories Of Nothingness

The German thrash gods have delivered us another release, but how will it measure up to their illustrious past?

Destruction was born in 1983 as a speed metal band from Germany known as Knights Of Demon. The trio consists of Schmier (bass / vocals), Michael Siffringer (guitar), Harold Wilkens (guitar), and Thomas Senmann (drums), along with a host of legendary guest musicians. Those legends include Paul Dianno (former Iron Maiden), Doro, Biff Byford (Saxon), Shagrath (Dimmu Borgir), Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork),Messiah Marcolin (Candlemass), Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Peter "Peavy" Wagner (Rage This album was also produced by legendary Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy and Pain). With a few line up changes, most notably being the firing of Schmier to set up the “Neo-Destruction” era which strayed from the thrash that gave them worldwide recognition. A few labels later (now at AFM) and a renewed reconciliation, the band has made their sound louder and heavier, and you thought it couldn’t be done.

Opening this album is a sinister narrative that sets the mood but make no mistake; it offers metal that is sure to kick your teeth down your throat. The fight is on. The raw power continues to our next track, consisting of some of the greatest modern day solo work, and is full of headbanging metal for you. “Welcome to hell”, how many have thought that? Then “The Alliance Of Hellhoudz” is for you. This is the battlecry that shows us that Destruction, although great, can and will share the spotlight. A lot of your guest musicians lend their services to this anthem. While the next track is heavy as hell, the fifth installment on this album is simply just there. I think the attempted addition of Shagrath only makes this song mediocre. Contrary to popular belief I do not hate Dimmu, but I do feel that the Dimmu and the Destruction sound did not mesh well. This was not a total downfall though, because the following track is picked up in true Destruction fashion. It has a great intro, great vocals, great songwriting, and wonderful solo breaks. Tracks like “Dealer Of Hostility”, “Seeds Of Hate”, and “Killing Machine” keep this album from reaching that next level. Although this album as a whole is great, those are just songs that did nothing for me. But then there are tracks like “Under Surveillance” and “Twist of Fate” that demonstrate how the forgotten art of soloing is supposed to be.

Our closer is simply acoustic, with no vocals. A time filler, I guess designed to bring you off of the adrenaline rush from this album. Eliminate three songs and the outro and we would have a true thrashterpiece.

With swords drawn and fists raised, this is one CD that does not fall in a big ball of flames. It is heavy, fast, and lays a true path of Destruction. Just when people thought thrash was going away, Destruction reunited and gave a dying beast a much needed breathe of life. Granted, there can never be another “Infernal Overkill”, but like I said before, they have taken heavy to a whole other level. Your speakers simply can not go loud enough for this one, but do not try to blow your speakers; they need to be around to enjoy this album.

Rating: 8/10. Great effort by this German three piece. It does have some songs that simply do not stand out.



--IcedMojo 9.16.06