Review DESTRUCTION “Birth of Malice”

Already in 2024 it became clear that Destruction‘s new effort would be a blazing metal release and after the launch of three singles the thrash metal veterans have “Birth of Malice” in the starting blocks. Destruction has been around for more than four decades and it’s bandleader Schmier who has been the driving force for all these years. The only remaining founding member pushes the band to new peaks and the new studio album is another excellent workpiece.

The four-piece from Germany belongs to the Big 4 of German thrash metal and Destruction never disappointed – neither on record nor on stage. The guys continue their journey with “Birth of Malice”, where the title track is more of an intro. It’s the beating metal heart that starts the album and turns into an intro that feels like the calm before the storm.

The first real song on the album is called “Destruction” which is a raging ode to thrash metal in general and the band in particular. “We’re Destruction” it says in the chorus and that’s exactly what this album needs as a starting point. Sharp riffs, Schmier’s typical vocals and a massive rhythm section are what drive the song. It’s a typical Destruction song, but what surprises is the enormous energy the quartet generates. “Destruction” is a blistering start to one of the best albums the band has released to date.

Schmier and his bandmates have managed to bring the spirit of Destruction from the 80’s into the here and now. The band doesn’t compromise on the heaviness, as their mighty riff power is the fuel for songs like “Cyber Warfare”. The latter is also equipped with a blistering guitar solo and screams in the chorus part that can lead to a sing-along at upcoming live shows.

“Cyberwar” hints at it, and songs like “A.N.G.S.T.” confirm the lyrical connection to reality. “A.N.G.S.T.” deals with paranoid instincts. The music reinforces the lyrical approach, as the song is a slow-paced riff monster that exhales an evil spirit.

What adds to the versatility and aggressiveness is the twin guitar power. What started with the release of “Born to Perish” has become a constant success factor for the band. Having two guitarists on board allows the band to give their music more of a twist that Destruction can bring to the stage too. This setup also benefits “Birth of Malice” and listening to the screaming guitars during “Evil Never Sleeps” is a delight for any headbanger. The song also has a rather melodic chorus, in the context of a thrash metal band, while the tempo also stays in a moderate range.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Gruber

“Chains of Sorrow” is a throbbing thrash metal anthem, and it is “Scumbag Human Race” that hits you right in the face. This metallic wrecking ball spreads an evil vibe. The title tells you what the song is about. It’s about the maldevelopment of the human race with all the mistakes that have been made and are still being made in these crazy times. And like some of the other tracks, “Scumbag Human Race” also contains more melodic guitar lines that never win over the aggressiveness of thrash metal. However, these guitar melodies allow the listener to easily connect to these thrash metal anthems.

Destruction put a cover version at the end of the album. It is a brutal interpretation of Accept’s “Fast As A Shark”. Now, the original Accept classic belongs to the real heavy songs and might be one of the first speed metal songs. What is almost a mission impossible works well here. Destruction gives the song its own twist and while staying close to the original it is yet a brutal thrash metal version. It is a homage to one of the great German metal pioneers.

Destruction in 2025 unleash a lot of power and raw heaviness. I was expecting a very solid thrash metal release as the band always stands for quality. I have to say that my expectations were exceeded. “Birth Of Malice” is a brutal and razor sharp thrash metal release. Strong neck muscles are a must as you can’t listen to these songs without headbanging from start to finish.