CD Title: D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N
Year: 2008
Website: destruction.de
MySpace: myspace.com/destruction
Label: AFM
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks Exclusive
Rating: 10 / 10
More Links: Interview with Schmier (video, 2008), Please feel free to discuss Destruction on the Loucifer Speaks forum.
Yes, I'm giving this album the full 10/10. It's rare that you find an album that manages to hit all of the right spots straight away. Destruction know exactly what they're doing and leave nothing to chance. "D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N" isn't a grower - it's love at first listen. Every track has the ability to lodge itself into your brain and every track is able to take control of your neck muscles and make you headbang. Basically, you have no choice.
In my opinion, this is what Thrash should be - full to the brim with riffs and certainly not over-produced in any way. The album also benefits from solos from some Metal Gods - Gary Holt (from Exodus), Jeff Waters (from Annihilator) and Vinnie Moore (from UFO).
The songs themselves carry a very omninous vibe and you can't help but get the feeling that humanity is gradually causing itself to rot away. With the world in it's current state (what with all of the environmental issues, wars and that bloody credit crunch!) you get the feeling that Destruction have hit the nail well and truly on the head.
Favourite tracks? It's so difficult just to pick a couple, but I'll give it a go! "Devolution" (the way the intro starts the album is fantastic), "Vicious Circle - The Seven Deadly Sins" (the choir, the melody, the solo!), "Offenders of the Throne" (this track has a brilliant groove and great lyrics. "Backseat drivers with no backbone" definitely stands out as a killer line), "Last Desperate Scream" (this track currently has the most plays on my MP3 player), "Urge (The Greed Of Gain)" and "No One Shall Survive".
This album is an absolute MUST for any thrash fan. It's also worth getting if you're not that into Thrash - perhaps as an introduction to the genre.