The reanimated WARBEAST are still on tour, but they are always ready to crush the enemy and destroy by declaring war on the world. This is their second effort and already after the cryogenic thaw bassist Andre Karst is out and Casey Orr has joined the fold. They will soon embark on their tour with GWAR and it will be a hell run riot. Even that egotistical bastard psycho Oderus Ungus (Dave Brockie) has promised to give birth to new GWAR material from their forthcoming album due late this summer.

"Destroy" is now unleashed upon us all. It was produced by Phillip H. Anselmo for his label Housecore Records. Stephen "The Big Fella" Berrigan did the engineering at Nodferatu's Lair. I feel that the sound is a bit muddy, and at times the wizard of gore himself Bruce Corbitt - who sounds more and more like Phil Rind of SACRED REICH or Chris Valagao of WEST Of HELL - just does not come across as forceful enough as his metal mental mantic mind riot personality suggests. When I heard the new songs live, they sounded awesome. When I spoke with Corbitt, I held such high expectations, but on this digital promo the songs are lacking in many respects. Granted Scott Shelby is still shredding like he did back in the day with ROTTING CORPSE, and HAMMERWITCH, but the unnecessary breakdowns are totally tedious.

The plague at hand that is "Nightmares In The Sky" gets the blackened heart pounding. I can totally relate to the lyrics of "Egotistical Bastard" and "Nobody". I know Corbitt labored for weeks on end to come up with infectious words to match the grooves and grind. Lucklessly, some of his terms, descriptions, and nuanced rhymes are too hackneyed, banal, and base. They seem less imaginative or inventive.

Why are the mighty WARBEAST reverting to the TEXAS METAL ALLIANCE attitude? Why invite the great southern trends of PANTERA into the mix, when it kills the inspiration? I blame Dr. Phil! The title track is downright unbearable. My hopes and visions are shattered! Where are the songs that left an indelible mark like "Self Will Run Riot" or "Krush The Enemy".

I was hoping for so much more for the song "Warbeast" or funny references at least. When I discovered that they were writing a song based on their namesake, I assumed they would deliver the goods, but this track is not as menacing as the death machine it implies. I admire their logo, and cover art, but I think Bruce could have penned better lyrics for their malignant mascot.

The emotional recollections of terrorist attacks like Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 or Sept. 11th are well envisioned on the song "The Day Of...." This dialogue reminds me of our nation's misery, a time that cannot be defined...the day the evil landed and bombed us on U.S. Soil. As Corbitt intuits with his bellicose affectation, "Our lives will never be the same." I commend the alien space invasion of "War Of The Worlds" as it ages and swells and seeks to infect the senses.

"Blood Moon" is one of the better tracks with a dutiful amount of speed, and I am reminded of "Scorched Earth Policy" or "Unleashed". This also seems to follow the gall of "IT". Damn! They should have added a remixed rendition of "IT" to the album, as that song on the split was just insane! The final cut, "Nameless" is also in need of motivation and spirit, but I expect this vanguard wrangle is also homage to their fan base or other heroes of origin. At least it does have the best guitar solo on the album.

With repeated rotations this album does get better and improve, as was the case with the debut. I suppose Phil's production is why I hear so many hostile and vulgar displays of powerful PANTERA influence. At times this just annoys the hell out of me. WARBEAST are heavy thrash, but I yearn for more solos, less breakdowns, and more melody. I dug the split "War Of The Gargantuas" when Bruce over emulated Dave Brockie. I guess if we critics are the vultures, then I must admit that honestly I just ache for the glory days of RIGOR MORTIS and GAMMACIDE.