Search - Destruction :: Infernal Overkill

Incredible German thrash metal

Richard H Gazley | Fullerton, CA United States | 03/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Destruction was one of the best thrash metal bands to come out of the 80's and probably *the* best German thrash band. There is an incredible improvement in the musicianship between their first album, Sentence of Death, and their second, Infernal Overkill. Sentence of Death, while fun and good in parts, sounds like the band were kicked awake and given 20 minutes of studio time to do the recording. Infernal Overkill though, is incredible. The difference in quality is astounding, with the band showing its appreciation of classical music in some of the song structures. The best songs are probably Bestial Invasion and Black Death and the seriously impressive instrumental Thrash Attack (which sounds like it could have been written after channeling Beethoven during a seance). If you like thrash or even death metal, give these guys a try, you will not be disappointed."

TWO REVIEWS?!

Obiturized | New Hampshire | 09/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another underrated album, along with Kreator and Sodom, these germans know how to make killer thrash, these guys have been around for like 23 years, and never made a bad album, they managed to stay true, came out around the same time as Kreators "Endless Pain" bad production, but it fits it well, this album is a metal onslaught, plus Schmiers cool vocals add to it, although at times, you wonder "what the hell were they playing?" it still rules, the band was young, so you have to give them a break, the cover rules too, hair, bulletbelts, leather...Metal!, probably one of the heaviest albums in it's time, full of cool catchy fast riffs, insane vocals, loud and fast, with muddy production which can be compared to Exodus' "Bonded By Blood" production wise, the lyrics are kind of immature, but who cares, this album should be a part of any Metal collection, best songs "Total Desaster" "Mad Butcher" which are both on the "Sentence of Death" part of the CD, then on the Infernal Overkill part, "Invincible Force" "Death Trap" "Tormentor" "Bestial Invasion" and the instrumental "Thrash Attack", reccomended for fans of Kreator, Exodus, Sodom ECT...buy it"

Legendary European thrash album

PB000001 | Belgium | 06/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You may skip the first 5 tracks on this CD, which appeared on Destruction's first release, the "Sentence of Death" EP (see also my review on an earlier edition of this CD). Although at the time of release (1984) these tracks showed some potential (i.e. "Total Desaster" (sic) and an early version of "Mad Butcher"), they did in no way prepare the listener for the breathtaking thrash metal masterpiece that was to follow.



This masterpiece was titled "Infernal Overkill", a tight collection of uncompromising, razor sharp yet quite complex and intelligent compositions. Everything about them was perfect: the frantic drum patterns, the raging guitars, Schmiers ultra cool voice and a terrific, very progressive sound.



When the album came out, the "Bestial Invasion" track was an instant live hit, and the album catapulted Destruction to the top league of European thrash metal, acquiring them a large cult following.



In sum, the album goes way beyond the likes of other great German bands of that time like Sodom, Kreator, Living Death and Iron Angel, and is only to be compared to the other defining classics of the genre, Exodus' "Bonded By Blood" and Slayer's "Reign in Blood". And although the follow-up "Eternal Devastation" was also a fine album, Destruction never did any better than this."