Log In
Register

Birth of Malice Review

Destruction - Birth of Malice
Band
Albumpreview 

Birth of Malice

TypeAlbum (Studio full-length)
Released
GenresThrash Metal
LabelsNapalm Records
Album rating :  92.5 / 100
Votes :  2  (1 review)
Reviewer :  level 5         Rating :  95 / 100
Already in 2024 it became clear that Destruction‘s new effort would be a blazing metal release and after the launch of three singles the thrash metal veterans have “Birth of Malice” in the starting blocks. Destruction has been around for more than four decades and it’s bandleader Schmier who has been the driving force for all these years. The only remaining founding member pushes the band to new peaks and the new studio album is another excellent workpiece.

The four-piece from Germany belongs to the Big 4 of German thrash metal and Destruction never disappointed – neither on record nor on stage. The guys continue their journey with “Birth of Malice”, where the title track is more of an intro. It’s the beating metal heart that starts the album and turns into an intro that feels like the calm before the storm.

The first real song on the album is called “Destruction” which is a raging ode to thrash metal in general and the band in particular. “We’re Destruction” it says in the chorus and that’s exactly what this album needs as a starting point. Sharp riffs, Schmier’s typical vocals and a massive rhythm section are what drive the song. It’s a typical Destruction song, but what surprises is the enormous energy the quartet generates. “Destruction” is a blistering start to one of the best albums the band has released to date.

Schmier and his bandmates have managed to bring the spirit of Destruction from the 80’s into the here and now. The band doesn’t compromise on the heaviness, as their mighty riff power is the fuel for songs like “Cyber Warfare”. The latter is also equipped with a blistering guitar solo and screams in the chorus part that can lead to a sing-along at upcoming live shows.

“Cyberwar” hints at it, and songs like “A.N.G.S.T.” confirm the lyrical connection to reality. “A.N.G.S.T.” deals with paranoid instincts. The music reinforces the lyrical approach, as the song is a slow-paced riff monster that exhales an evil spirit.

What adds to the versatility and aggressiveness is the twin guitar power. What started with the release of “Born to Perish” has become a constant success factor for the band. Having two guitarists on board allows the band to give their music more of a twist that Destruction can bring to the stage too. This setup also benefits “Birth of Malice” and listening to the screaming guitars during “Evil Never Sleeps” is a delight for any headbanger. The song also has a rather melodic chorus, in the context of a thrash metal band, while the tempo also stays in a moderate range.

“Chains of Sorrow” is a throbbing thrash metal anthem, and it is “Scumbag Human Race” that hits you right in the face. This metallic wrecking ball spreads an evil vibe. The title tells you what the song is about. It’s about the maldevelopment of the human race with all the mistakes that have been made and are still being made in these crazy times. And like some of the other tracks, “Scumbag Human Race” also contains more melodic guitar lines that never win over the aggressiveness of thrash metal. However, these guitar melodies allow the listener to easily connect to these thrash metal anthems.

Destruction put a cover version at the end of the album. It is a brutal interpretation of Accept’s “Fast As A Shark”. Now, the original Accept classic belongs to the real heavy songs and might be one of the first speed metal songs. What is almost a mission impossible works well here. Destruction gives the song its own twist and while staying close to the original it is yet a brutal thrash metal version. It is a homage to one of the great German metal pioneers.

Destruction in 2025 unleash a lot of power and raw heaviness. I was expecting a very solid thrash metal release as the band always stands for quality. I have to say that my expectations were exceeded. “Birth Of Malice” is a brutal and razor sharp thrash metal release. Strong neck muscles are a must as you can’t listen to these songs without headbanging from start to finish.
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter

Track listing (Songs)

titleratingvotesvideo
1.Birth of Malice-0
2.Destruction5:22-0Music Video
3.Cyber Warfare-0
4.No Kings - No Masters4:10-0
5.Scumbag Human Race-0
6.God of Gore-0
7.A.N.G.S.T.-0
8.Dealer of Death-0
9.Evil Never Sleeps-0
10.Chains of Sorrow-0
11.Greed-0
12.Fast as a Shark (Accept cover)-0

Line-up (members)

  • Schmier : Bass, Vocals
  • Randy Black : Drums
  • Damir Eskić : Guitars
  • Martin Furia : Guitars
10,713 reviews
cover art Artist Album review Reviewer Rating Date Likes
Birth of Malicepreview
▶  Birth of Malice Review (2025)
955 hours ago0
72 Seasonspreview856 hours ago0
The Plaguepreview802 days ago0
Evil Invaderspreview752 days ago0
Carved in Stonepreview952 days ago1
Mad, Bad & Dangerouspreview703 days ago0
Glory to My Kingpreview853 days ago0
These Dayspreview853 days ago0
Hey Manpreview753 days ago0
Parasomniapreview953 days ago0
Game of Facespreview954 days ago3
Days of Defiancepreview904 days ago1
Sorceresspreview904 days ago1
Awakepreview954 days ago2
Severed Survivalpreview904 days ago0
Dekadenspreview
Dekadens Review (2009)  [EP]
955 days ago0
Magicpreview855 days ago0
Dimensionspreview805 days ago0
Here Be Dragonspreview756 days ago0
Circus of Doompreview756 days ago0
Eternal Devastation
level 4 영풍장   100/100
Dec 12, 2014       Likes :  17
본작 Eternal Devastation은 스래쉬메탈 30년 역사에서도 비슷한 스타일을 찾을 수도, 그리고 앞으로도 찾을 수 없을 극강의 유니크함을 자랑하는 스래쉬 메탈 앨범일 것이다. 외국 포럼에서 '리프로 살해당하는 느낌'이라고 누가 감상평을 남겼던데 정말이지 어울리는 표현이 아닐 수 없다. 프... Read More
Diabolical
level 9 quine8805   85/100
Apr 29, 2022       Likes :  3
스래쉬메탈은 여전히 진행중인 장르다. 성장과 변화를 진행중이라는 뜻이 아니라, 활동을 지속하고 있다는 뜻에서. 그래서인지 제법 이름있는 스래쉬메탈 밴드, 또는 제법 음반 판매점에 진열되어 있는 것 아무거나 골라도 의외로 듣기 좋은 음악을 들을 수 있게 된다. 그 정도로 스래쉬... Read More
Born to Perish
level 8 Schism   90/100
May 20, 2020       Likes :  2
독일 스래쉬 3대장중 하나인 디스트럭션 신보입니다. 여기서 멤버 변화에 2가지가 있습니다. 前 Primal Fear 출신 드러머인 Randy Black 합류와 새로운 젊은 기타리스트 Damir Eskić 합류입니다. 21년만에 2기타로 전환을 했는데 Sifringer의 노쇠화가 가장 큰 이유일까 생각합니다. Randy로 인해 좀 더 파... Read More
Cracked Brain
level 21 구르는 돌   75/100
May 20, 2022       Likes :  1
전작인 Release From Agony 때에도 Destruction은 멤버변동이 있었지만, 네 번째 앨범인 Cracked Brain을 제작하는 과정에서도 밴드의 라인업에 변동이 있었다. 이번에는 그동안 밴드가 스래쉬 메탈 밴드로서의 성공을 거두는데 크게 일조하였던 Schmier의 탈퇴였다. Destruction이라는 밴드의 유니크한 특성... Read More
Release From Agony
level 21 구르는 돌   80/100
Mar 10, 2015       Likes :  1
Destruction은 앞서 발표한 Infernal Overkill, Eternal Devastation 두 장의 앨범으로 Kreator와 함께 German Thrash Metal의 불길을 댕겼다. 이들은 다양한 리프와 탄탄한 구성으로 막 발아하기 시작한 독일 스래쉬 메탈씬의 존재를 알리는 데 크게 기여했다. 이들의 음악적 특징은 데뷔 앨범부터 이미 나타나고... Read More
Eternal Devastation
level 21 구르는 돌   85/100
Aug 26, 2014       Likes :  1
데뷔 앨범 Infernal Overkill로 Destruction은 Thrash Metal 팬들에게 자신들의 존재를 어필했다. Destruction 하면 특유의 테크니컬한 리프 메이킹으로 유명한데 본작은 전작보다 리프의 전개나 구성부분에서 월등히 발전된 면모를 보여주고 있다. Infernal Overkill은 분명 뛰어난 리프로 무장한 뛰어난 작품... Read More
Info / Statistics
Artists : 49,130
Reviews : 10,713
Albums : 176,760
Lyrics : 219,029