Destruction - D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.
Since their reformation in 1999, Destruction have somewhat become the frontrunners of the current thrash resurgance these days - after all, they're arguably one of the most influential metal bands around, and one of very few whose reunion albums have been just as good as their classic ones. Not to mention the fact that they were one of the first bands to release a full-on thrash record amidst the tirade of nu-metal in 2000 (with the "All Hell Breaks Loose" album), which in turn could credit them with being at least partially responsible for the recent thrash uprise in the first place. And in 2008, the german maniacs unleashed their ninth (official) full-length album "D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N." in celebration of their 25th anniversary.
Any metal fan knows who Destruction are, and when they release a new album we pretty much know exactly what to expect - theres nothing wrong with that, but this time the band decided to try something different. Don't get me wrong, this is still Destruction - its still got Schmier's insane schizophenic screams, its still got Mike Sifringer's heavy riffs and brain-frying solos, and it still has Marc Reign's brutal drumwork. The songs still scream 'full-on thrash' in your face, but the band has tried their luck with some slightly unconventional stuctures and arrangements this time around, and they've even thrown in a few clean sections to boot.
Tracks like 'Elevator to Hell' and 'No One Shall Survive' showcase the band's popular sound just as well as their older material does, is straight up thrashing fun done by veterans who know what we want. However, the more experimental tracks, such as the title track and the single 'Vicious Circle - The 7 Deadly Sins', show the band working in a slightly different way than they have on previous albums. As I mentioned, clean passages have made their way into Destruction's sound here along with more tempo changes and varying structures, and though its kind of strange hearing a Destruction album with some of these elements, its nothing to whine at. Its pulled off very well, and I suppose in a way this can be compared to what I said in my review for Evile's "Infected Nations" - the band hasn't just stuck with an overly familiar (though very successful) formula, instead striving to break away from their 'safe territory' and try something new.
At the end of the day, its a Destruction album - if it has Destruction on the label, you're in for some exceptional music and this album is no different. The band doesn't do anything too radical and they don't stray from their sound too much, but they do so just enough for you to safely admit that its a different album from say, "Inventor of Evil". As with a few of the band's albums, there are a few guest muscians on here in the form of Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Gary Holt (Exodus) and Vinnie Moore (UFO) on 'Urge (The Greed of Gain)' and the title track respectively, which adds that little extra sense of individuality to this album - it sounds unique, even for Destruction. I would give "D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N." a five star rating, but unfortunately the album didn't click with me upon the first listen like Destruction's albums usually do. After the third listen or so you'll finally 'get it', but I have to mark it down for this because some people aren't that patient. Its not a monumental issue though, and "D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N." is most certainly a worthy purchase for fans old and new.
Any metal fan knows who Destruction are, and when they release a new album we pretty much know exactly what to expect - theres nothing wrong with that, but this time the band decided to try something different. Don't get me wrong, this is still Destruction - its still got Schmier's insane schizophenic screams, its still got Mike Sifringer's heavy riffs and brain-frying solos, and it still has Marc Reign's brutal drumwork. The songs still scream 'full-on thrash' in your face, but the band has tried their luck with some slightly unconventional stuctures and arrangements this time around, and they've even thrown in a few clean sections to boot.
Tracks like 'Elevator to Hell' and 'No One Shall Survive' showcase the band's popular sound just as well as their older material does, is straight up thrashing fun done by veterans who know what we want. However, the more experimental tracks, such as the title track and the single 'Vicious Circle - The 7 Deadly Sins', show the band working in a slightly different way than they have on previous albums. As I mentioned, clean passages have made their way into Destruction's sound here along with more tempo changes and varying structures, and though its kind of strange hearing a Destruction album with some of these elements, its nothing to whine at. Its pulled off very well, and I suppose in a way this can be compared to what I said in my review for Evile's "Infected Nations" - the band hasn't just stuck with an overly familiar (though very successful) formula, instead striving to break away from their 'safe territory' and try something new.
At the end of the day, its a Destruction album - if it has Destruction on the label, you're in for some exceptional music and this album is no different. The band doesn't do anything too radical and they don't stray from their sound too much, but they do so just enough for you to safely admit that its a different album from say, "Inventor of Evil". As with a few of the band's albums, there are a few guest muscians on here in the form of Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Gary Holt (Exodus) and Vinnie Moore (UFO) on 'Urge (The Greed of Gain)' and the title track respectively, which adds that little extra sense of individuality to this album - it sounds unique, even for Destruction. I would give "D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N." a five star rating, but unfortunately the album didn't click with me upon the first listen like Destruction's albums usually do. After the third listen or so you'll finally 'get it', but I have to mark it down for this because some people aren't that patient. Its not a monumental issue though, and "D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N." is most certainly a worthy purchase for fans old and new.
1. Devolution
2. Elevator To Hell
3. Vicious Circle - The 7 Deadly Sins
4. Offenders Of The Throne
5. Last Desperate Scream
6. Urge (The Greed Of Gain)
7. The Violation of Morality
8. Inner Indulgence
9. Odyssey Of Frustration
10. No One Shall Survive
AFM Records
Reviewer: Dave Ingram Jr.
Oct 28, 2009
Oct 28, 2009
Next review:
Let The Night Roar - Let The Night Roar
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