Destruction Diabolical CD (Digipak, 2025, Napalm Records)

German thrash metal veterans Destruction return in devastating form with Diabolical, their fifteenth full-length studio album, released via Napalm Records as part of the band’s 40th anniversary celebrations. One of the founding pillars of Teutonic thrash metal, Destruction stand alongside Kreator, Sodom and Tankard as members of the legendary German Big Four, and Diabolical proves they remain as fierce and relevant as ever.

Marking a new chapter in the band’s history, Diabolical is the first Destruction album to feature guitarist Martin Furia, following the departure of founding member Mike Sifringer. The result is a razor-sharp, modern yet unmistakably old-school thrash metal assault that balances speed, aggression and precision with classic Destruction hooks and attitude.

From the ominous opener “Under the Spell”, Destruction waste no time unleashing relentless fury. The title track “Diabolical” delivers pure Teutonic thrash savagery, driven by furiously pounding drums, hostile riffing and the unmistakable, venom-soaked vocals of frontman Schmier. Tracks such as “No Faith in Humanity” and “Hope Dies Last” push brutality to new extremes, combining breakneck tempos with crushing rhythmic power that will satisfy even the most die-hard thrash purists.

Elsewhere, “Tormented Soul” injects classic heavy metal influences and explosive drumming into the mix, showcasing the band’s dynamic range without sacrificing intensity. The album closes with a ferocious cover of GBH’s “City Baby Attacked by Rats”, a perfectly chosen finale that fuses raw hardcore punk aggression with Destruction’s signature thrash metal ferocity.

Clocking in at approximately 47 minutes, Diabolical is a no-compromise thrash metal statement - aggressive, honest and unapologetic. It stands as both a celebration of Destruction’s four-decade legacy and a clear message that the band remains a dominant force in the global metal underground.

Essential listening for fans of German thrash metal, Teutonic speed metal and classic extreme metal.

Recommended if you like: Kreator, Sodom, Exodus, Testament, Slayer, Overkill, Dark Angel, Death Angel, Sepultura, Annihilator

Artist: Destruction
Title: Diabolical
Label: Napalm Records
Release Year: 2025
Catalogue Number: NPR1082DGS UPC: 840588163601
Duration: Album
Format: CD
Packaging Type: Digipak
Condition: New & Factory Sealed

Tracklist:

1. Under The Spell
2. Diabolical
3. No Faith In Humanity
4. Repent Your Sins
5. Hope Dies Last
6. The Last Of A Dying Breed
7. State Of Apathy
8. Tormented Soul
9. Servant Of The Beast
10. The Lonely Wolf
11. Ghost From The Past
12. Whorefication
13. City Baby Attacked By Rats