Formed in Weil am Rhein (1983) from the ashes of KNIGHT OF DEMON, Germany's proficient and eclectic DESTRUCTION, quickly along with KREATOR & SODOM, were at the forefront of the 80ies German Thrash Metal scene. Schmier (bass & vocals), Mike (guitars) and Tommy (drums) made a rather raw debut with "Sentence of Death" EP and quickly refined their sound into potent, powerful Thrash for the excellent "Infernal Overkill". On "Eternal Devastation", the nuclear power trio combines technical flash and complex song-structures with thrashing over-profusion. Their troll-like death vocals were their trademark. The production is much improved. It's all heavier than hell and downright cacophonous, yet the leathered ones have a lot of careening and demonic ideas worth sifting from the violence.
Among 80's Thrash Metal bands, DESTRUCTION have three things that put them above the "vacuum cleaner with drums" contingent: talent, production and dynamics. Absolute power-drenched classics like "Life without Sense", "Curse the Gods", "Mad Butcher" and "Eternal Ban", to name a few, demonstrate how the sky cracks when these guys slow down and assume the power groove. DESTRUCTION are on their way to the ultra-techno-thrash-speed hell of fame.
Second guitarist Harry joined following the recordings of the equally "Eternal Devastation" to enrich the live sound, though Tommy also departed and was replaced by Olly, and the pair made their debut on the "Mad Butcher" Mini-LP.
"Release from Agony" saw the band make full of the extra dimension the second guitar added, though their increasing musical dexterity and more intricate song-structures did nothing to temper DESTRUCTION's aggression and heaviness, and the band began to extend themselves abroad, playing with MOTÖRHEAD across Europe and on a few dates of SLAYER's US Tour.
"Live without Sense" was an adequate display of the band's on-stage power, but DESTRUCTION's fortunes took a downturn after they supported CELTIC FROST on their "Cold Lake" UK Tour. Internal dissent led to Schmier's departure, while recording their 4th LP "Cracked Brain". The rest of the members electing to pursue a more melodic direction and "Cracked Brain" was finished with guest singer André Grieder from POLTERGEIST. The 4th LP is recieved rather poorly. In 1991 Mike and Olly decide to continue to use the name DESTRUCTION with new band members. Several recordings saw the light of day after this, namely two EPs and an album on their own Brain Butcher label, but these releases didn't bring glory for them in the eyes of the old die-hard DESTRUCTION fans.
In 1999 due to the extreme press and fan demand for DESTRUCTION, the two former members Mike and Schmier reform DESTRUCTION together with new drummer Sven (ex-THE LIE). In the same year DESTRUCTION starts their comeback at the biggest German Heavy Metal Open Airs: Bang your Head, With Full Force, Wacken! And in 2000 they release the long-awaited new full-length album "All Hell Breaks Loose"! The butcher strikes back again so be prepared!
