DESTRUCTION

Promoting their new album, “Birth of Malice,” Schmier (vocals and bass), Damir Eskic and Martin Furia (guitars), and Randy Black (drums) will perform a special show at Bangers Open Air! With a career that includes many classic thrash metal albums, Destruction returns to Brazil to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album, “Infernal Overkill.” “When we recorded the album in 1985, we could never have imagined that 40 years later we would celebrate this anniversary in Brazil, Germany, and Norway in such a grand manner. The album and its classics are timeless, and thus they receive the honor they deserve. We’re making history together!” exclaimed Schmier.

The setlist will also feature many other songs that are part of the band’s history, as Schmier reveals: “Since we filmed the ‘Destruction’ music video in São Paulo, it’s mandatory to finally play it live now upon our return! It will be magical!”

The German band was formed in 1983 in the city of Weil am Rhein by Schmier (vocals and bass), Mike (guitar), and Tommy (drums). After releasing their first demo tape, the trio signed with SPV to record an EP, “Sentence Of Death,” which featured the track “Mad Butcher.” Their first album, “Infernal Overkill,” came out in 1985, and shortly after, the trio stood out as one of the major revelations of European thrash metal, alongside names like Kreator, Sodom, and Tankard.

However, the work that consolidated Destruction’s position as a standout band was “Eternal Devastation” (1986), with fans going wild for songs like “Curse The Gods,” “Life Without Sense,” and “Eternal Ban.” Despite their rising fame, the first lineup change occurred with Tommy’s departure and Olly joining as the drummer, alongside the inclusion of a second guitarist, Harry. With this lineup, a new EP, “Mad Butcher,” was released, showcasing an even more technical Destruction. The pinnacle of this musical evolution came in 1988 with “Release From Agony,” featuring longer tracks and virtuosity from the musicians, evident in the title track, “Dissatisfied Existence,” “Sign Of Fear,” and “Unconscious Ruins.”

Around this time, the band played in Brazil for the first time, and after a European tour with Motörhead, internal tensions began to rise. Problems worsened after the release of “Live Without Sense,” leading to Schmier’s departure. With the help of vocalist André Grieder (Poltergeist), “Cracked Brain” was released. Mike and Olly continued with the band until 1991. “The Least Successful Human Cannonball” (1998) preceded the reunion in 1999, following significant fan demand.

Mike and Schmier decided to reform Destruction with a new drummer, Sven Vormann, resulting in “All Hell Breaks Loose” (2000). With excellent reception, the band continued and never stopped again. “The Antichrist” (2001) reinstated Destruction at the top of the thrash metal scene, with standout tracks like “Thrash Til’ Death” and “Nailed To The Cross.”

Before the release of the third album after the reunion, drummer Sven left and was replaced by Marc Reign. With the trio set, “Metal Discharge” was released in 2003, marking a return to their roots. During the same period, the DVD “Live Discharge – 20 Years Of Total Destruction” was released.

The releases that followed included “Inventor of Evil” (2005), “D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.” (2008), “Day of Reckoning” (2011), “Spiritual Genocide” (2012), “Under Attack” (2016), and “Born to Perish” (2019). “Diabolical” (2022) marked the first album without Mike Sifringer and the new lineup with Schmier (vocals and bass), Damir Eskic and Martin Furia (guitars), and Randy Black (drums), currently promoting “Birth of Malice.” Additionally, the band recorded two albums with re-recorded material: “Thrash Anthems” (2007) and “Thrash Anthems II” (2017).