Destructor Maximum Destruction CD (Slipcase, 2022, High Roller Records)

Maximum Destruction is the infamous 1985 debut album from the American thrash metal maniacs Destructor!

High Roller Records, 2022 reissue, slipcase, 40 tracks!!!, CD1: original mix version, album outtakes, remix version, CD2: compilation, demo and live recordings, THE ULTIMATE REISSUE!!!

All material compiled, mastered, and restored by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony in April 2022. By 1985, Slayer, Exodus, Megadeth, and Metallica had delivered fantastic albums—speed metal had arrived in North America. But a lot was also happening in the underground at that time. The best example: Destructor from Cleveland, Ohio, who released a phenomenal debut album, "Maximum Destruction," on Auburn Records that same year.

"Cleveland had a strong metal scene back then," explains singer and guitarist Dave Overkill. “One, two, or three years before us, groups like Breaker, Black Death, Shok Paris, and Sacred Few had already emerged. But nobody played as aggressively as we did. When Destructor played their first live show, people were very surprised by our style. Breaker's bassist, Ian Shipley, introduced us to a totally crazy drummer named Matt Schindelar. Matt immediately replaced our original drummer, and that's how the real Destructor was born.

Two demos, "Smash Your Skulls With Power" and "Bring Down The Hammers," were released in 1984, before the legendary debut album "Maximum Destruction" hit the stores in November 1985 thanks to Bill Peters of Auburn Records: "Bill approached us right after our very first show and initially only wanted to do an EP with us. We were young and hungry, so of course we immediately agreed. At that time, Auburn was still in its founding phase. As a band, we knew absolutely nothing about the music business, but the label did a fantastic job. There was nothing we could complain about."

Following the album, another cassette, "Overdosed At WRUW" (in a limited edition of 100 copies), was released, followed by two more tapes: "Decibel Casualties" (four tracks, 1987) and "Power Aggression" (nine tracks, 1988). This material was intended to form the basis for their second LP, but it never came to fruition. A potential deal with Atlantic Records fell through, and Dave Holocaust, Destructor's bassist, was killed after a party. "Dave was like a brother to us," the singer/guitarist recalls today. "We loved Dave. The band was in a downward spiral at the time, and we couldn't get out of it. Then the nineties arrived, and metal in the States was killed by grunge. After one last show with the band Overkill, Destructor broke up in 1992. By that point, we had lost all hope." It would be decades before Destructor reunited.

This deluxe double CD reissue also includes the original recording of the album, a remix, and an additional bonus disc packed with demos, rehearsals, and live recordings.

Recommended if you like: Slayer, Exciter, Agent Steel, Razor, Nasty Savage, Artillery, Sodom, Exhumer Kreator, Exodus, Megadeth

Artist: Destructor
Title: Maximum Destruction
Label: High Roller Records
Catalogue Number: HRR889CD
UPC: 4251267713677
Release Year: 1985/2022
Duration: Album
Format: 2 x CD
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
Condition: New & Factory Sealed
Special attributes: Slipcase, reissue

Tracklist:

1. Prelude In Sledge - Minor Opus 7 1st Movement
2. Maximum Destruction
3. Destructor
4. Take Command
5. Instrumental
6. Pounding Evil
7. Overdose
8. Iron Curtain
9. Hot Wet Leather
10. Bondage
11. Black Night