Artist: Destruction
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 6/20/00
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Title: All Hell Breaks Loose Artist: Destruction Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 6/20/00 |
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Abyss's Review:
Here we go with another thrash band from the eighties trying to ram a past art form down the throats of the younger generation, right? Well, yes, but it's done very well this time. While many of these retro acts are just proving to us that their contribution to metal has long past, Destruction have come out with a thrashfest that isn't afraid to embrace the new millennium while still paying tribute to that magical decade.
One of the best ideas these guys had was to get a quality metal producer from the current generation to twist the knobs on this one. Peter Tagtgren lends his talents and studio to this album, and brings thrash back with a crisp, modern sound. He foregoes the eighties guitar effects that sound thin now, a mistake other bands (Annihilator) have made recently. Instead, the guitars benefit from the thickness I've come to love in present day metal, while the songwriting has remained riff-oriented thrash. Basically it's a win, win situation because we have the best of both worlds here.
"These guys are at the top of the retro scene with this release, with only recent releases by Deceased surpassing them." The vocals (which, looking back, was my least favorite thing from metal's past) definitely express retro tendencies, but have bridged time well, and while they are still my least favorite part of this whole scene, they are not nearly as annoying as many of the other bands in this genre. These guys are at the top of the retro scene with this release, with only recent releases by Deceased surpassing them.
The lyrics on this album suck, however. Perhaps it's a language difference (these guys are German), but I think they've been speaking English long enough that that's not really the reason. I know hindsight is always 20/20, but I think they might have missed the boat, by waiting till after the year 2000 to write a song about the millennium predictions of Nostradamus ("World Domination of Pain.") And if that isn't enough it seems like they have to fit a chant of "Destruction!" into every song, apparently so we don't forget what band this is. Are these songs or advertising? And with poetry like "Stories we don't need to hear- visual prostitution, Stuck this shit right up your rear."… well if you like those lyrics, I don't really know what to say. Music good, Lyrics bad. End of story.
"Music good, Lyrics bad. End of story."
Death's Review:
No wonder technical thrash basically died out in the early nineties - Schmeir wasn't in Destruction anymore! Well thank the metal gods, he's back! All Hell Breaks Loose is a total return to form for these crazy German riffmeisters. Once hailed in the first half of the eighties as "Germany's answer to Metallica," Destruction early on evolved so far beyond that label to become something infinitely more essential. Now they're back to shred again, and metalheads across the globe should definitely rejoice.
"First and foremost, killer riffing." And all of the elements which made Destruction so important back then are front and center on All Hell Breaks Loose. First and foremost, killer riffing. Mike's staccato crunch, artificial-distortion-pedal guitar tone, technical melodic intricacy and lightning-fast, galloping rhythmic picking are also present, as are Schmeir's trademark growl and occasional high pitch combo. The twenty-first century finds Schmeir sounding a little more like a cross between Steve "Zetro" Sousa (Exodus) and Russ Anderson (Forbidden) than I remember, but it comes off well and sounds great.
As for the tracks themselves, my favorite is the maddening riffage of "Tears of Blood," a totally speed-crazy shredfest with a "mosh part" in the middle - the kind of mosh part that we all used to crave, by no means implying baggy pants or wallet chains. In fact, Destruction may be the exact opposite of "new metal" in every sense of the word. Also of note is the homage to the glorious Destruction past entitled "The Butcher Strikes Back," which, in addition to being a great metal anthem, name drops old Destruction album titles while rehashing the trademark Destruction character of yore. Great stuff.
"Let's get one thing clear: if you like technical eighties thrash, you'll find this to be one of the best new records you've heard in a long time." Let's get one thing clear: if you like technical eighties thrash, you'll find this to be one of the best new records you've heard in a long time. If you like metal generally, you should endeavor to support the return of Destruction. And if you have an appreciation for metal bands who play fast and aggressively but remain a step less brutal than black or death, you'll want to pick up this release. I, for one, am simply counting down the days until Destruction reigns supreme over Milwaukee Metalfest XIV. I'll tell 'ya something - this long discussed metal renaissance is really starting to get interesting... if every one of these reunions can sound this good, I say bring 'em all back!
Hel's Review:
I have to begin by telling all of you that I am actually a Destruction novice. In their heyday, I was stuck in a place that had no idea who this band was, nor most other great metal bands of the time. Lost in this vacuum, I had only the vaguest idea of what I was missing. Since I have been freed, I can only look back and mourn the loss. So my opinion on this album is that of someone who knows little about this particular band. Fortunately, Death will fill in all of these blanks, and I can just refer you to him on these points.
My already-stated lack of background notwithstanding, I will hazard to say that the music of Destruction today sounds straight out of the 80s. Not surprising to those who are aware that the band was basically defunct through the entire decade of the 90s. Now, here's where my lack of background comes into play. I'm going to assume that this is almost precisely where the band left things off back in the late 80s/early 90s when Schmier and Mike parted ways.
"80s thrash is alive and well in Destruction." To the devoted Destruction fan, all of the above will matter immensely. I am going to imagine that they are just as you remember and that you will be very happy when All Hell Breaks Loose. To the uninitiated, the essential crib notes are that 80s thrash is alive and well in Destruction. If you've been missing those qualities in most of the music of today, you will be pleased by this release.
I loved thrash in the 80s and personally am saddened that I missed out on this band back in the day. I think, when measured by today's standards, this is a great release. I'm happy that they reformed, for I otherwise may have never become acquainted with the band at all. The most disappointing thing for me is that I am unable to experience the impact this record would have had if I'd been a longtime fan, and that I cannot measure it properly today as a result. But regardless of my perspective, it's fair to say that Destruction destroys.
"It's fair to say that Destruction destroys."
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