Destruction - Under Attack
Thrash legends show why they shouldn't be forgotten yet
Although frontman Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer’s return would be the moment you’d expect Destruction to have turned around their disappointing run in the 90s, subsequent releases would prove it a bit tougher to relight the flame. After several predictable and underwhelming full-lengths, Under Attack sees Destruction finally settle on a solid sound that brings their brand of thrash to a new generation of metalheads.
A more melodic undercurrent is introduced throughout Under Attack, but the ferocious thrashing for which Destruction are known is still very much present. The title-track opener holds fury-fuelled guitars sure to whet any metalheads appetite, whilst ‘Getting Used to the Evil’ holds the peak of the aforementioned melodic undercurrent. Its a track more sing-along worthy than you’d expect from the legendary German thrashers, but is nonetheless a sinister track with some infectious hooks and a killer solo. Meanwhile, ‘Conductor of the Void’ showcases the opposite side of the same coin. It holds a similarly melodic nature, but its stop-start riffs and messy verses make it a track to be swiftly forgotten.
On the whole a more focused effort despite a couple of missteps, Under Attack shows why Destruction should not be forgotten yet. Some new melodic elements have a hit or miss effect, but with a slightly more thoughtful application, they could help make Destruction’s sound a dynamic one on future releases. Although Under Attack is not perfect, it helps make the future look hopeful for the Teutonic thrash pioneers.
7/10
