Destruction frontman Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer recentoly spoke with Sonic Perspectives about the band's new album, Diabolical, breaking down the creative process. Check nout the interview below.

Schmier: "We Worked with (producer) Jacob Hansen for a while, and he's great - he made some really fat production for us - but there were a lot of fans that said it sounded too clinical.When the albums came out I didn't understand what they meant, but I came to understrand that maybe they (those albums) sound a little too modern. Destruction has to breathem it has to be alive, and I think that's what we managed on this album. That's why the production on this album, for me, is better than the last one. It's powerful, it's not as blown up, it's real players, and you can hear the human factor."

Today, April 8, the world finally gets to celebrate Destruction's 40th anniversary with their hard-hitting full-length, Diabolical. On the new single “Repent Your Sins”, the German thrash metal icons sound better than ever, fully displaying their unbeatable craft as the pioneers of thrash metal - never stepping off the gas.

Singer/bassist Schmier about the new video: "The music and the song itself shows the more groovy part of the new record. I love the diminished riff and the way Randy grinds the beat into your head! This will be an awesome LIVE track for sure! The lyrics of 'Repent' are about the history of abuse in the Catholic church! A rather tragic and sad part of human history, that is still covered up by our governments. It seems the laws that count for all of us do not apply for servants of the church. UNREAL INJUSTICE! The video itself tries to show the soul torment of the culprit. To live with your dirty deeds but pray about love and kindness can not be justified and needs to be accused, named, remembered and wiped out!"

On their 15th studio record, Destruction brings out heavy artillery full of honest and uncompromising thrash metal, catapulting you straight into the seventh heaven of metallic bliss and causing a massacre of razor-sharp sound no fan of the genre should miss.

Schmier states about the recording: “This was the most fun we had working on a record in a very long time and you can hear that. Yes. it was theoretically a difficult album but we did not think this way while we recorded it. We just followed our emotions, jammed and rocked out with a strong gut feeling! This recording was like a therapy to me, we all know how difficult times are at the moment. So I’m super happy how everything turned out!"

Guitar shredder Damir adds: “It was a real honor for me to record this album. The studio work for Diabolical was very spontaneous and we had a lot of fun creating these dynamic, multifaceted and brutal but diverse songs. I loved every second of working on this record!”

After the charging start of opener "Under The Spell", Destruction shows no mercy on title track "Diabolical", with raging drums, bloodthirsty riffs and hellish vocals that sink deep down into your bones. "No Faith In Humanity" relentlessly rages on with non-stop headbanging action, while Destruction continues to smash eardrums on "Hope Dies Last" - providing unbeatable brutality with unstoppable speed, destructive verses and screeching voices. "Tormented Soul", on the other hand, is loaded with proper heavy metal and explosive drums. The grand finale of the 47-minute parade of devastation is provided by cover track "City Baby Attacked By Rats", originally by GBH, guaranteeing whiplash by combining rough hardcore punk with brute thrash metal.

Destruction riff killer Furia about the new record: “Diabolical is an album of extremes, everything is more brutal and more technical but at the same time more melodic and to the point. It's a pure and devastating Destruction album with no gimmicks, full of power and adrenaline. I'm excited for what the future is bringing and can't wait to play the new songs live!”

Diabolical will be available in various formats in different territories, including a digital album and CD (bundled with a t-shirt + an exclusive “Mad Butcher”-bust), 1LP gatefold editions in black, crystal clear and marbled yellow/red. Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Under The Spell"
"Diabolical"
"No Faith In Humanity"
"Repent Your Sins"
"Hope Dies Last"
"The Last Of A Dying Breed"
"State Of Apathy"
"Tormented Soul"
"Servant Of The Beast"
"The Lonely Wolf"
"Ghost From The Past"
"Whorefication"
"City Baby Attacked By Rats"

"No Faith In Humanity" video:

"Diabolical" video:

Behind the scenes video:

Artwork "making of" video:

Studio session video:

Destruction are:

Schmier - Bass, Vocals
Martin Furia - Guitars
Randy Black - Drums
Damir Eskić - Guitars

(Photo - Gyula Havancsák)