
A year after their outstanding dabble into the world of official releases (which came in the form of the 'Sentence Of Death' EP), German trio Destruction were ready for a full-length. Entitled 'Infernal Overkill' and released the same year as 'Spreading The Disease', 'Fear Of Tomorrow', 'Bonded By Blood', 'Hellish Crossfire', 'Endless Pain', 'Killing Is My Business', 'Feel The Fire', 'Metal Inquisition', 'Executioner's Song' and 'Evil Invaders', 'Torment In Fire', 'Hell Awaits' and 'Power And Pain' just to name a few, 'Infernal Overkill' needed an edge and despite falling a tad shy of its predecessors in terms of consistency, it remains and excellent album up there with the cream of 85's crop.
Commencing with the sharp riffs of Mike Sifringer and a quick Schmier scream, 'Invincible Force' sets the tone and pace of 'Infernal Overkill' as a gritty, straight-up Thrash attack... - free of unnecessary bells and whistles and instead crammed with honest thrashing goodness. An early highlight follows in the form of 'Death Trap' which features two luscious solos and some absolutely irresistible riffs. Getting past track two can prove difficult if you're listening on CD (and are in reaching distance of the back button) but there is plenty more to come. Another stand-out would be 'Bestial Invasion' which features frantic guitars and rhythmically pulsates with an impending atmosphere, further enforced lyrically.
Closing the album in position number eight is the 7:39 'Black Death' which really seals the deal on 'Infernal Overkill'. Damn fine effort, excellent debut album and the beginning on a flood of fantastic full-length releases. Obligatory listening.
- Pyro
(See reviewer's scoring method)


