Destruction
Eternal Devastation

THE REVIEW

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After a biennium full of commitments and satisfactions, the task force led by Mike Sifringer is preparing to return to the market with an important mission: to hit the target once again. In a few years, the competition has multiplied, and even a big-band like Destruction, firmly at the top of the popularity rankings in specialized magazines, cannot afford to slacken the pace. By 1986, the German scene had already established itself as the principal rival to American dominance, to the point that our guys no longer have to look too far to recognize worthy adversaries. With the rear guard pressing, the ascent of the trio from Lörrach is at an important crossroads, which allows no uncertainties. 

The third official release in three years, "Eternal Devastation" justifies the steady flow of releases thanks to a superb quality that reinforces hierarchies and attracts new supporters. Excited by the scent of challenge, the Teutonic combo plays the ace that marks the consecration of a career, a demonstration of intent that gains value also for the circumstances in which it matured. While the style proudly remains untainted, the performers show that they have acquired a certain familiarity with their instruments, essential for sustaining the increasingly intricate textures of the repertoire; Sifringer confirms himself as the undisputed strength of the trio, also due to an innate class as a songwriter, but the impression is that of a more cohesive, compact group: this is demonstrated by the (finally) impeccable performance of Marcel ‘Schmier' Schirmer, already at work with good results on the previous Infernal Overkill.

The opening moves between dark, mephistophelian sounds, delaying for a few minutes the metallic assault of which they are proud mentors. "Curse The Gods" resumes the discourse sketched by "Black Death" (the closing of the previous LP), focusing on a variety of tempos and schemes in favor of a certain dynamism, only glimpsed previously: the result is one of the most evocative and acclaimed tracks of the German band, which condenses in a six-minute tour-de-force the best of its production; almost twenty years later, Sifringer's frantic riffing continues to reap victims, nor have they lost their charm the raucous vocals of the (then) very young Schmier, two indispensable ingredients of a timeless classic. 

Leaving aside the rather dignified "Confound Games", which perhaps suffers from an unfortunate position, the tracklist unfolds through noteworthy episodes, confirming the excellence of the opener. The prolonged "Live Without Sense", which betrays a desire to seek more elaborate solutions, and the masterpiece "Eternal Ban" (thrash-anthem with the delicacy of a jackhammer) go straight into the circle of classics, but positive notes also come from the guitar raids of "United By Hatred" and the underrated "Confused Mind", which doubles the speed overdose offered by "Upcoming Devastation".

The success of Eternal Devastation grants deserved admission to the pantheon of German heavy metal, but Destruction would not repeat themselves at the same levels again. After an EP warmly received by fans ("Mad Butcher", containing a curious cover of the Plasmatics), 1988 saw the release of "Release From Agony", the first full-length with a revamped four-member lineup: a valid and technically impeccable product, but in fact lacking the uncompromising charge that had fueled previous works; from here to the disaster (especially commercial) of "Cracked Brain", spurred by a notorious split between Sifringer and Schmier (with his future in Headhunter), the step is short.

The rest is recent history, with many lights and few shadows.