Review : DESTRUCTION – “The Curse of The Antichrist: Live In Agony”

Destruction – The Curse of The Antichrist: Live In Agony
released October 13, 2009 on AFM Records

Rating : 4/5

Well it took twenty years, but the Teutonic thrash legends have finally recorded a followup to Live Without Sense. This near-100 minute excursion takes the best from their Wacken 2007 performance and their first ever gig in Tokyo.

There is so much to love about this album. Not only does it extensively cover Destruction‘s back catalogue, but it benefits from some pretty solid recording; everything can be heard without losing the feel of a live setting. There are some amazing highlights: Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Peavy Wagner (Rage), Tom Angelripper (Sodom) and Oddleif Stensland (Communic) offering vocal support on “The Alliance Of Hellhoundz”; “Reject Emotions” featuring three of the band’s drummers; the anti-establishment anthems “Eternal Ban” and “Thrash Till Death” (the latter showing up twice). But really, it’s all about finding your favorites!

Destruction is a dominating top predator that still sounds hungry as a ferocious upstart eager to earn its place. For those who have yet to experience the German gargantua live, consider this an invitation.

FCC on nearly all banter. Otherwise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 19
Try 1, 7, 12, 16, 17, 20

Disc I
01. The Butcher Strikes Back
02. Curse The Gods
03. Nailed To The Cross
04. Mad Butcher
05. The Alliance Of Hellhoundz
06. D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.
07. Eternal Ban
08. Urge (The Greed Of Gain)
09. Thrash Till Death
10. Metal Discharge

Disc II
11. The Damned
12. Cracked Brain
13. Soulcollector
14. Death Trap
15. Unconscious Ruins
16. Life Without Sense
17. The 7 Deadly Sins
18. The Antichrist
19. Thrash Till Death
20. Reject Emotions (three drumkits Wacken Inferno version)
21. Total Desaster
22. Bestial Invasion