Destruction

Not sure what it is about these German thrash lifer bands, but their albums just get more solid as time goes on ― in the case of Kreator, they're actually getting better in every way. Destruction have been building up a very admirable catalogue of excellent albums that, at their worst, simply are a bit too workmanlike. But when your job is kicking Teutonic ass as an extremely focused thrash machine, even those rote moments are pretty lively. Here, "The Price" kicks things off in manic thrash style, all double bass and razor-wire riffs, hilarious and hysterical vocals overtop the non-stop drum fills. The punchy production accentuates the awesome riffing of "Hate Is My Fuel" and "Church of Disgust," while "Devil's Advocate" features a NWOBHM-on-speed riff-lick and there's nary a slow song in sight. This album is pure energy, strongly crafted, high-energy thrash metal. North America's Big Four seriously have nothing on Germany's Big Three (hi, Sodom, that includes you!) these days, and awesome albums like this prove it.