Destruction – Diabolical

6/10

This is Destruction sounding like Destruction. Whatever you want to make of that. Schmier sounds like Schmier all the way. We have cozy German thrash on overdrive here and there.

The welcoming after a pointless intro for a minute gives us “Diabolical”. Talk about setting the pace. Great song to open a show with if you want to display your latest work as “in your face” type of fashion.

High pitched screams, more up-tempo than mid-tempo, guitars on fire. This is dirty, dirty thrash of old. Somewhat one dimensional, but it is as said a Destruction album in Destruction spirit.

They have their way of creating music and that is respected. For me I can miss the diversity at the same time as I can honor the integrity of how you want to deliver your music. I guess it is just down to the listeners ears to decide how high or low you rate it.

Vocals when it comes to Destruction are always a bit out there on itself. Nasal, high pitched and squeelish and in a mix with not so much logic at times. But that is also a bit of the trademark, so here I am not dismissing that fact. Just embracing it as a part of the experience.

We go on in this way and quality through the album. The tempo and weight of the songs shift a bit during the time, but it is more speed focused that weight focused. This is to my liking.

Also, the length of both album and individual songs are in a good bracket. Not to long or to short. You get the full song experience so to speak. And the album does not feel as they have had to fit things in to make the time up towards a goal.

Sure, the songs differ a bit in quality for what I like and do not like. But they stay in the acceptable bracket all the time and are not annoying or just plain bad.

Riffing I find is what I take with me the most. I like the fast, aggressive barbwire guitars that are ever present here.

It is a very much what you see us what you get album. Nothing more and nothing less. A good day´s work to a good standard. That might also be the issue here for the grade. Run of the mill good is fine. Comfortably listenable and somewhat entertaining but not close to a masterpiece is how you could summarize this release.

Band: Destruction
Title: Diabolical
Label: Napalm
Date of release: 2022-04-08
Rate: 6/10
Stand Out Track: Diabolical
Country of Origin: Germany
Playing Time:  47:21