DESTRUCTION - Under Attack

May 13, 2016, 7 years ago

(Nuclear Blast)

Mark Gromen

Rating: 8.5

review heavy metal destruction

DESTRUCTION - Under Attack

The first sound heard is a lone acoustic guitar, gentle melding into a melodic section that gradually builds. Rest assured Old Man Schmier hasn't grown soft, as within a minute he's repeatedly shouting the album's titular phrase, an ode inspired (as many of the best Destruction songs are) by violent events worldwide. The vocalist's premise, humanity/society is under attack from lack of education and religious fanaticism. Is it possible that Mike Sifringer is playing even faster now? Listen to "Generation Nevermore". Wow! Two blazers, ideologically linked (wake-up calls) right out of the starting gate, but like a prize winning thoroughbred, find a middling gallop come "Dethroned". Now for something completely different... The patented, high pitched Schmier yelp is only noticeable on "Getting Used To The Evil" a slice of meandering, progressive thrash (if there is such a thing), coming close to Release From Agony vibe, with it's changing vocal intonations, nearly a cappella sections and (again) subtle opening/finale.

"Pathogenic" is heads down speed, seemingly aimed at megalomaniacs like North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Touting words rip-off, scammers, traitors and cheaters, with guitars buzzing live an upset hornets' nest and Schmier even madder, "Elegant Pigs" revolves around the deteriorated state of music industry: "What the fuck ever happened to the true spirit of rock? They are raping the pureness. Cheating, playback shock. Pureness is the key... The blind leading the blind." Infectious, staccato riff happy "Second To None", released online, as a lyric video, is a profanity laced diatribe, decrying meddlesome Internet trolls and their sometimes dire consequences. "Stand Up For What You Deliver" is a pep talk, in praise of individuality, not to bow down to "blind head mob, the silly propaganda machine... Pay no attention to opinion makers". At one point, in the midst of album closer "Stigmatized", there's a drum breakdown, just Vaaver. For those wanting more, there's a deluxe edition, available with a pair of bonus tracks: a cover of Venom's "Black Metal" (that they've fooled around with in concert, over the last couple of years), featuring Krisiun bassist/vocalist Alex Camargo, and "Thrash Attack". The spirit of Lemmy is strong in this one...



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