Destruction were formed in 1982 with a line-up of vocalist/bassist Marcel ‘Schmier’ Schirmer, guitarist Mike Sifringer and drummer Tommy Sandmann. Their first demo ‘Bestial Invasion of Hell’ appeared in 1984 and led to a deal with Steamhammer Records who issued the mini album ‘Sentence of Death’ later the same year. Despite its roughshod production, the record helped the band become an underground phenomenon and their debut full-length ‘Infernal Overkill’ was released in 1985 and saw them tour with Slayer amongst others. ’86 saw the release of what many consider to be the band’s best album ‘Eternal Devastation’ which received widespread praise and allowed them to capitalise on the booming thrash scene, tour extensively and pick up many new fans along the way. 1987’s ‘Mad Butcher’ EP was a welcome stop-gap between albums and paved the way for the slightly more adventurous but no less aggressive ‘Release From Agony’ which was issued in ’88. Tensions within the band led to Schmier’s departure before the recording of 1990’s ‘Cracked Brain’, which was poorly received and heralded a period of instability for the band which led to a long hiatus.
Various remaining members of Destruction toiled on throughout the early ‘90s but it wasn’t until 1999 and the announcement that Schmier and guitarist Mike would re-unite their partnership with Sven Vormann coming in on drums that the band would return to success. Their comeback album ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’ was released by Nuclear Blast in 2000 to excellent reviews, and was followed by extensive touring and two further albums – ‘The Antichrist’ in 2001 and 2003’s ‘Metal Discharge’ – before they signed with AFM Records for ‘Inventor of Evil’ in 2005. The band’s most recent album ‘Thrash Anthems’ saw them re-record a selection of their early tracks, and they toured successfully in support of it performing a largely old-school set. A brand new studio album ‘D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.’ is expected in August.
With conviction and without compromise, Destruction have rightly assumed the mantle of one of thrash metal’s greatest ever bands. Bloodstock get ready: Lucifer’s legions of death are ready for attack. They’ve got only one aim. Total destruction!
Click Here to view the DESTRUCTION Bloodstock Band profile Page .
DESTRUCTION – The Butcher Strikes Back - BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2008.
