Search - Destruction :: Cracked Brain

Destruction at its finest despite critics

Jose | Lakeland, FL USA | 12/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Destruction lost its original bassist/singer Schmier due to internal conflicts, everyone thought Destruction was, well, 'destroyed'. When this album came out, it was given some unfairly low scores just because 'it wasn't the same'.



I frankly do like and recommend this album, and while Andre Grieder (Schmier's replacement) has a raspier singing style, I find it fits this CD perfectly. Every thing that metalheads like about Destruction is here. Brilliant guitar riffs and twin leads a la Iron Maiden, heavy pounding drumming, and solid music structure.



Yes, some of their lyrics sound rather cartoonish and funny, since some words are put on their songs just so that they rhyme with each other; for those who don't know, they are from Germany and their English has been better than average, but never perfect. The other thing that bothers me about this album is that the last two tracks ("No Need To Justify" and "When Your Mind Was Free"), while not bad, both are mid-paced and sound like each other. They should have shuffled them differently, so that we wouldn't have 2 similar tracks in a row.



However, taking these facts out of the picture, there is no denying that they have kept their musical integrity and intensity INTACT, unlike a certain band that starts with an 'M' that has 'Load-ed' and 'Reload-ed' fans with toned down, generic music that screams 'sellouts'(hint...they are lawsuit-happy).



I highly recommend this album for the first-timer, as well as for the veteran Destruction fan. Tracks to check out: "Cracked Brain", "Frustrated", "Die a Day Before You're Born", and a great, faster cover of The Dickies' "My Sharona"."

NOT Destruction

thrashard | east coast | 05/04/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Destruction without "Schmier" is in need of CONSTRUCTION! Mike, IS, WAS and will always will be the heart & soul of Destruction. All of these songs are lacking musically, & vocally. If you only get one album the "best of" is the one you need. Covers all their material up to this one. Which isn't represented on the best of album, get my point?..............*** 20 year thrasher***"

Shamelessly Underrated

C. Garces | Plantation, Florida United States | 06/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was bashed a lot when it first came out in 1990 (I think). Legendery vocalist/bassist Schmier left and everyone automatically assumed that this album would be sub standard. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The guitar solos sound so fantastic, some of today's so called Heavy Metal guitar players could really get some lessons from these guys. This is a THRASH album!!! "Cracked Brain", "Time Must End" and "No Need To Justify" are some of the best songs the thrash genre has to offer. Its a shame that the songs on this album are hardly ever played live or anything because they are really quality songs. The guitar is the most impressing aspect of "Cracked Brain", so fast and melodic, they just dont make music like this anymore, a real shame. Shmiers replacement does an amazing job at the vocals, he even has a similar air to Schmiers style, so its nothing like a huge change, great gem this one, pick it up!!!!"