DESTRUCTION

Z7, PRATTELN, SWITZERLAND

2020 was a tough year for thrash metal. Bar Mr. Bungle and Testament, none of its bands whir with frantic pace, spotlights flash wildly and CO2 cannons spit. It’s as close as you can get to that ‘in the pit’ adrenaline in isolation, facilitated by crystal-clear audio mixing and camerawork that refuses to acknowledge Z7’s eerie emptiness. Destruction proceed to explore their entire 38-year career, from obscure proto-black metal demos to post-reunion regulars, but it’s the oldies that truly shine here. Hearing and ’s youthfully taut rawness modernised is an experience beyond the plodding or Overkill-derivative . However, the quartet persist with an admirably consistent vigour – especially frontman Schmier and his Halford-esque highs. Happily, speed metal diehards dejected by the drought of 2020 have received a shot in the arm for 2021.