By Vinnie Apicella

I guess the first question that comes to mind is… what took 'em so long? Seems like this is getting contagious-a classic metal band, once dissolved, answers the call, uses the Wacken Open Air Festival to arm and ready itself, then look out! Not heard from since '89s "Cracked Brain," which many in the know might've suggested was the members' autobiography put to vinyl-I wouldn't of course-now ten years later, and one thing I'll add most assuredly, "All Hell Breaks Loose" will make a lot of people happy. What that says for their state of mental well being, I'm not sure, but if total annihilation could be listed among a band's attributes, "The Final Curtain," "Machinery of Lies" and "Tears of Blood" are all that need to be heard. Yes after the ominous intro-listed simply as "Intro," there's no safe place to hide-Destruction… any questions? Today, Germany's answer to America's Slayer, maybe even to what early Metallica's reputation was-Destruction can be seen, albeit through a dark cloud and artillery shells, and heard again as a powerful threesome, led by original singer/bassist Schmier and guitarist/butcher Mike Sifringer-or 2/3 of the original cast. Peter Tagtren lends a hand in the production department so therefore, a welcome update to an already senseless bombardment by way of extreme noise terror! What must have been bottled up inside these last ten years, one can only wonder? And "All Hell Breaks Loose" reigns down in a firestorm of rage and fury that only furthers the band's already honorable reputation. For pure explosiveness, there's a song list here that could easily be construed as a tactical battle plan, first invading enemy territory, setting on the targets and letting it rip in all directions-a speed and efficacy for laying waste to all who oppose them! What Sodom began last year with "Code Red," by firing the first warning shots, the signal was given for the total and complete devastation to follow-Destruction, "All Hell Breaks Loose!"

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