It has been 30 years. Three decades of total Armageddon, destructive, bestial Thrash Metal with a tough and malevolent attitude and a made old butcher looking about for fresh meat to chop and eat. This has been the life of the German Thrash Metal trio of DESTRUCTION, one of the most important bands of the genre, its development and grandeur. I have always said that there is almost nothing constant than what DESTRUCTION has been doing. On the other hand, for their third decade anniversary, things turned out rather different with their new release, "Spiritual Genocide", via Nuclear Blast Records. A little more than a year since their previous "Day Of Reckoning", which once again reminded of the band's earlier brutalizing days filled with anti-religion oriented features and the whole devilish shebang, and the trio is out there again. These guys worked hard in order to finish up a brand new release in favour of rightfully having a bloody and chaotic celebration for a well-bred career just as it should be. However, as much as me being a long-time fan of the band and had my heart set out for this one, I came to believe that Schmier and crew might have made a too much of a faster step just to celebrate their third decade existence.

Of course that the band had a lot more depraved endeavours in the past such as the post Schmier decade in the early 90s with the "Destruction", "Them Not Me" EPs and the "The Least Successful Human Cannonball" album, released that in my view endangered DESTRUCTION's existence right until Schmier got back in the saddle. In fact, "Spiritual Genocide", while being less festive for an anniversary album, isn't a bad one at all, it is just not what you would except from such a band. Sure that it has its own flaming demons still hovering of the rather political smothered tracks of pandemonium, but it lacks interest as the previous albums did. In a general view of things, "Spiritual Genocide" is DESTRUCTION's grooviest and rhythm based offering to date, like a stray dog off and about from his pack of hounds. I wouldn't say that MikeSifringer wasn't as formidable as always because he has been the one with the drive all these years constantly fulfilling the Thrash will in a routine that would be as harmonic and catchy to the ears, but still brutal. However along with the rather plain and reoccurring song structures, which weren't trademarks of the band or anything, the groove elements didn't help perfect the band's music but on the contrary, those miffed it, especially with the lack of melodies unlike earlier. At least Schmier's performance was as always daunting but the singing rhythms didn't hold out for long as he kept on storming with the same vocal pattern over and over. On "Legacy Of The Past", which also featured the local Thrash brothers, Tom Angelripper (SODOM), Gerre Geremia (TANKARD) and a few licks from the English EVILE's Ol Drake, there was a slight shift with fusion of their additional vocals and own special feels. The song itself served both as a wonderful tribute to Thrash Metal and the bands' majestic, violent and drunken legacies (Too bad that Millie wasn't in the house as well).

I sensed the surge of power through the great riffing and the combined effort on the choruses. Along with the great Thrash anthems of "To Dust You Will Decay", sharing an explosive dismemberment of all the foul laws that has been festering our lives with the usual disparaging manner, "No Signs of Repentance", bursting a bit with a little old school Heavy Metal vibe but after all Thrash still rules. DESTRUCTION showed that there kingdom still matters and their music still means a great deal even after thirty years but in overall, "Spiritual Genocide" isn't as big as it sounds and looks, even with the butcher back on the scene, this is isn't their prime for sure.

FEMME METALE (9/10)

It was a beautiful night in Hollywood in summer of 2012 when DESTRUCTION demolished the Whiskey A Go Go with crushing classics to celebrate thirty mighty years of Thrash Metal madness. But whipping my neck to "Mad Butcher", and throwing down in the pit to "Bestial Invasion", I couldn't help but wish upon a lucky star for a new monster spawned from DESTRUCTION's untouchable sonic fury. My wish came true in the form of "Spiritual Genocide", and I could not be a happier Metal maiden.

"Spiritual Genocide" sits both on the throne of true Thrash and the pedestal of pristine production. Granted, every single DESTRUCTION album has spawned legendary Thrash anthems, no matter the level of production.  But as a follow-up to the HD-like quality of "Day of Reckoning","Spiritual Genocide" delivers a wholesome, authentic embodiment of Thrash brutality. No instrument is overshadowed, and every sound works together more than the members of a pit who rush to one man's need when he falls.

One of the first things I noticed. The instrumental "Exordium" teased my anticipation, and when the album drops into "Renegades", I was overcome with ecstasy. Schmier's savage and distinct vocals, Mike's blazing guitar artistry, and Vaaver's turbo 5,000 BPM drum assault all join together in the creation of a mighty metal hydra, a force to be reckoned with. The song in which DESTRUCTION's superhuman musicianship is most evident is the finale "Under Violent Sledge".  I could literally write a whole review on just how amazing this song is. Where many bands might burn out by the last tune, DESTRUCTION just pulls out a fresh, vibrant energy that will knock you off your feet.  And as if the power that this trio brings to the table isn't enough, they have a special guest song "Legacy of the Past" featuring Tom Angelripper of SODOM, Gerre Germia of TANKARD, and even Ol Drake of EVILE laying down some wicked solos. "Spiritual Genocide" contained more excitement than I could ever ask for, and I'm even predicting that DESTRUCTION could release an album in their seventies that would be more kick-ass than most modern day Thrash artists!