Diabolical
NAPALM
Teutonic thrash icons channel the fury of youth
ALWAYS ONE OF the most berserk and unstoppable bands in the entire thrash scene, Destruction are celebrating their 40th anniversary in the only way they know how. Diabolical is the Germans’ 15th studio record, and like every one of its predecessors, this spits and howls its devotion to heavy metal from spooky beginning to thunderous climax. Eschewing the ultra-brutal modernity of recent albums like 2019’s Born To Perish in favour of songwriting that noisily echoes Destruction’s earlier works, founder and frontman Schmier has struck gold here. The departure of co-founder and lead guitarist Mike Sifringer might have destabilised a less ferociously focused band, but Destruction sound as vicious and distinctive on the opening title track and fiery single State Of Apathy as they ever did.
is still monstrously heavy and sonically up to date, but from its knowingly goofy artworkthis is an album with the spirit of the 80s coursing through its veins. is a fiercely catchy and pissed-off anthem that ticks every conceivable thrash box with a spiteful flourish, while is a particular fine exercise in gnarly, malevolent chug.
