### Destruction: The Anti-Christ

#### 25/03/11 || InquisitorGeneralis

What is more metal (or unoriginal) than a metal album called “The Anti-Christ”? Nothing, that’s what fucko…except for maybe “Bolted to the Cross”. That title is metal as fuck too. Sadly, this “The Anti-Christ” is a progressive powergrind concept record about the true anti-Christ, Justin Bieber and his imminent takeover of the world through the hearts, minds, and vaginas of teenage girls. Don’t fight it; you know it’s coming…

Actually, “The Anti-Christ” is a pretty damn awesome thrash record by German legends Destruction. I first heard the Teutonic trio live on tour with Kataklysm and Vader a few years back. I enjoyed the live show but nothing besides “Thrash till death” really stuck with me. Fast forward to a few months ago when I stumbled across a copy of “The Anti-Christ”, complete with “Thrash till death”, in the used rack at the local record store. I gave it a complete listen and have been digging it ever since. Besides a serious lack of originality in the lyrics and song titles departments, you cannot really say that much shit about this album. It brings modern, heavy thrash pretty fucken hard.

“Thrash dill dess” gets things started strong and has one of the best metal choruses ever. I don’t mind Schmier’s high-pitched vocals and when he screams Thrash till death! with Sven Vormann’s kick drums backing him up, I get a little hard. Mike Sifringer might look like he should be changing oil at the Jiffy Lube at the end of my street, but he has noticeable thrash guitar chops. Underneath that sweet perm is a brain that churns out thick, heavy, chunky thrash riffs all over “The Anti-Christ”. While he’s no Yngwie in the solo department, Sifringer’s fingers can fly when necessary. Like their fellow countrymen Sodom, Destruction pull off the power trio pretty fucken well, at least on “The Anti-Christ”. Backing up all of this is a pretty sweet production that hits hard but is not overdone.

“Bullets from hell” is another gem and once you get past the ridiculous title (what makes a bullet from hell, does it have little devil horns on the point? Or a pointed tail coming out of the back?) you will discover an awesomely heavy, mid-paced thrash tune. “Creations of the underworld” features some solid drumming by the previously mentioned Mr. Vormann. It is a shame that Sven is no longer with Destruction; the dude could fucken shred shit up. Need more proof, check out “The Heretic”. “Let your mind rot” is a slower, heavier number that really stands out amongst the faster material. Fast, slow; it’s all good.

While “The Anti-Christ” is far from original or inventive, it is a heavy slab of great-sounding, well done thrash that has no low points. It might run a few songs too long, but no track on here screams filler or mediocrity. While I certainly am going to check out some more Destruction at some point, “The Anti-Christ” gives me a satisfying amount of pummeling thrash and proves that old dogs can show off some decent new tricks…like ten years ago I know but Destruction are old and this album is pretty sweet. Go fuck yourself.

- Information
- Released: 2001
- Label: Nuclear
- Website: www.destruction.de
- Band*
- Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer: bass, vocals
- Mike Sifringer: guitars
- Sven Vormann: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Days of Confusion
- 02. Thrash Till Death
- 03. Nailed to the Cross
- 04. Dictators of Cruelty
- 05. Bullets from Hell
- 06. Strangulated Pride
- 07. Meet Your Destiny
- 08. Creations of the Underworld
- 09. Godfather of Slander
- 10. Let Your Mind Rot
- 11. The Heretic