Search - Destruction :: Thrash Anthems

A faithful re-recording of old classics that might even make

Zander Haberstaft | Miami, Florida | 05/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Destruction was one of the lesser tier thrash bands back in the day but every seasoned thrash fan knew of and liked their stuff. "Inventor of Evil" was a nice return to form for the band and is a great album. The one problem Destruction had in Deutschland was that their early stuff (especially pre-"Release from Agony" era) was so poorly recorded it is difficult for somebody today to buy that stuff and appreciate it (unless they listened to it when that stuff first came out.) It's like Chris Guest in "This is Spinal Tap", "this one goes to eleven." Yeah, you have to turn your stereo to "eleven" to clearly hear the early Destruction albums. Remastering is expensive, so why not just re-record the classic songs? Well, the track record for bands who have done re-recording is bad...really bad.



Unlike Testament's "First Strike Still Deadly" which was a re-recording that featured a completely different line up and was overproduced, "Thrash Anthems" doesn't suffer from any of those problems. Schmier sold me on this album when he told me after a show the songs were faithful renditions of the originals with some slight changes to keep things interesting but they didn't try to play heavier or faster for modern sake. Although Schmier (bass/vocals) wasn't on a few of the albums that have songs showcased here, he still does an amazing job for those songs (example: "Cracked Brain"). With all that, hardcore Destruction/thrash fans will indulge in the two new songs that have been included on this disc. So either way, you gotta buy this if you're a completist (but may not like the idea of a re-recording.)



The instruments that were helped the most by this re-recording were the drums. You can clearly hear the bass drum now. The vocals, as Schmier's voice has been altered slightly by the sands of time, are as in-your-face as ever. I actually think I like them better than the original vocals. Some of the harmonized guitar parts that were lost in the mix on the originals are brought out in the center on this release. A great thing to do is listen to this disc and then go get the originals and compare. What can I say, I might even like the originals better because this release made me appreciate them more. Recommended."

The Butcher Strikes Back!

Michael E. Mitchell | Minocqua, WI USA | 04/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Probably you've heard all but 2 of these songs before. The old recordings of Destruction had an unnamable charm to them, very bleak and "steam-hammer" sounding (that should really appeal to the devotees of "necro" Black MeTal); those recordings cannot be appreciated by some (despite the utter brilliance of the material). And so, Destruction re-recorded half their old classics for the modern listener...and Destruction DESTROYS! This may irk afficianados of the old albums, but for everyone else this is an excellent textbook of how Thrash MeTal could and should be. While the playing is slightly different from the old days (I hate to say it, but I even told Mike in person that his guitar solos are not up to the old incredible standard of playing), the addition of excellent drumming makes these songs seem new. I don't agree with some of the (very slight) changes in the songs, but Destruction is just so pure and true to their old roots that I can easily overlook that. Hearing Schmier doing "Cracked Brain"(which is the only song on here not previously recorded with his vocals, other than the 2 new songs) is worth the price of this album alone! I wish I knew when I ordered this that there is a different version which includes one extra song on it, I think "Eternal Ban"(but I'm not certain). Of all the bands from the heyday of Thrash, Destruction (despite a few detours)--- along with Sodom and Kreator and Exodus(and I'm sure a very few more that I can't bring to mind now)--- remain utterly true and vital to their original intent. If you're someone who always cringed at the old production/sound, you certainly must get this to experience Destruction as they always intended to sound(according to Mike and Schmier)!"