DESTRUCTION – All Hell Breaks Loose (Remastered)

After finding himself elsewhere, Marcel Schmier returned to Destruction since his last performance with the band on Release From Agony. After his return, Destruction recorded All Hell Breaks Loose, which presented them with a fiercer attitude, a new drummer, and a hefty production. The album itself was released in 2000. This year, it is the ten-year anniversary for Schmier’s official return to the band and Destruction’s launch of the new millennia. Although a proud member of the holy German Thrash triplet, Hell hasn’t broken loose with this album.

Metal Mind Productions offered themselves to reissue this album and the two after it. The offering consists of remastered tracks plus inserting the remastered version of one of the band’s memorabilia demos, Bestial Invasion Of Hell, which was released in 1984. Die-hard fans of Destruction, especially the ones who admire Schmier, will get a kick out of this new re-release. Although in general, this is surely not one of the best Destruction releases, particularly if you compare it to the next releases.

Right before reaching the music, the production on this album has its highs and lows. This is the first Destruction album that showed the true power of their Thrash Metal. Almost every instrument received top gain levels, mainly the guitar and bass. With this type of aggressive sound, this is one hell of a slaughter. The downside is that with an awesome powerful sound, there are other things to consider. The guitars, on most songs, take charge over the vocals. Moreover, the rhythm sections cut through the heart of solos, and there are some great solos. Even the remastering crew of Metal Mind wasn’t able to outlast those issues. More or less, these technical shortcomings didn’t ruin the listening; however, it can be a bit of a mess like after a chainsaw massacre.

When it comes to the tracks, this album can be divided four ways. One, the bombastic start of wonderful return (tracks 1-6). Second, the downfall of class (tracks 7-9). Third, there is maybe room for improvement; yet, the drop to banality (tracks 10-12) – great performance by the band’s producer, Peter Tagtgren on number 10. Fourth and last part, memorabilia that matters and good old times to remember (tracks 13-18), that was when Iron Maiden were the strongest influence of Destruction. Overall, All Hell Breaks Loose is a nice comeback for Schmier, however, his follow up can be described as the true return.

Steinmetal’s Highlights marked on the Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. The Final Curtain
3. Machinery of Lies
4. Tears of Blood
5. Devastation of Your Soul
6. The Butcher Strikes Back
7. World Domination of Pain
8. X-treme Measures
9. All Hell Breaks Loose
10. Total Desaster 2000
11. Visual Prostitution
12. Kingdom of Damnation
13. Mad Butcher
14. Total Desaster
15. Antichrist
16. Frontbeast
17. Satan’s Vengeance
18. Tormentor

Lineup:

Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer – Bass, Vocals
Mike Sifringer – Guitars
Sven Vormann – Drums