#Sven Vormann

[rp-kat]

Destruction

2001

Thrash'em All  #5

[nekrowitch666]

Destruction- Germany

Destruction is a thrash metal band hailing from Germany.

Formed in 1982, the band featured Ulf Kühne on vocals, Mike Sifringer on guitar,  Marcel "Schmier" on bass,  and Tommy Sandmann on drums.

The band was originally formed as "Knight of Demon " and took inspiration from notable musical groups like Iron Maiden, Venom, and Mercyful Fate.

Kühne would not last long as vocalist, and was kicked out the band due to a conflict with Sifringer.

Sifringer would then take on vocals, before officially changing the name of the band to Destruction.

In 1984, the band released their first demo, titled "Bestial Invasion of Hell." Shortly after this release, Destruction would sign on with Steamhammer Records. They would release their first EP, "Sentence of Death" in November of the same year.

In 1985, Destruction would release their first full length album, "Infernal Overkill." In 1986, they followed up with another release, "Eternal Devastation At this time, a second guitarist named Harry Wilkens was recruited. They would also replace Tommy Sandmann with Oliver Kaiser.

With the updated lineup, the group would go on to produce their second EP, Mad Butcher in 1987, along with their third full length, Release from Agony.

Destruction was wildly popular among the underground, and toured aggressively all over Europe and North America. They shared the stage with other well known groups such as Death Angel, Exodus, Testament, Slayer, and Iron Angel.

In 1989, the band released their first live album, "Live without Sense." This year would also be the year that Schmier was fired from the band, and replaced by Andre Grieder of Poltergeist for 1990's Cracked Brain album. This was the only album in which he appeared.

Mike Sifringer continued to release more material under the moniker of "Neo Destruction." Together with  vocalist Thomas Rosenmerkel, second guitarist Michael Piranio, bassist Christian Engler and continuing drummer Oliver Kaiser, the new Destruction would release 2 EPs and 1 Album into the world.

This lineup lasted until 1999, when Schmier rejoined new drummer Sven Vormann, and reformed Destruction as a trio once again.

Throughout the 2000s, Destruction would see several lineup changes, live performances, and many DVD/album releases.

They are still very active in the metal scene to this day, and have had several new releases in the past few years.

Today, they are considered one of the most influential German Thrash metal bands, alongside Sodom and Kreator.

Their newest release, Diabolical, was launched on April 8th 2022, in celebration of the band's 40th anniversary. They are currently finishing a tour in the United States.