There’s something about the sound of bands born in the great era of their genres. Ohio thrashers Destructor are no different. Being birthed in the heady days of 1984 when the nascent US thrash scene was exploding into life, this band were in the midst of it. Life wasn’t always kind; line-up changes and the loss of a band member along with periods when they just called it quits made for turbulent times. Full length releases, demos and live albums have continued to fly their flag And now in 2023 we get to indulge in “Blood, Bone, and Fire”; this sixth album finds them in rude health. Led from the front by founder member Dave Overkill, Destructor are ready to unleash…

A mix of latter day Judas Priest and Megadeth sounds announce the title track. A pure old school thrash attack with some nice melody shows immediately a band still very much in the game. From the no bullshit heavy metal of “Iron Clad” and the chunky riffage of “Storm Upon The World” it feels like anthem after anthem coming right at you. There is little in the way of subtlety much like the glory days on the US West Coast when these sounds started to bombard the world.

The band stay the course and there is very little in the way of deviation. The hot, choppy riff of “Depths Of Insanity” has a Motörhead feel with wild, razor sharp guitar work. The brief instrumental track “The Calling” is still full force attack but the standout cut for these ears is “Heroic Age”. With an epic feel that brings Judas Priest’s recent albums to mind, it has an ear worm hook that is guaranteed to warm up many neck muscles. This simply has that aura of a band that was there at the beginning and still has the chops to deliver to this day.

The chest-beating swagger of “Hammering The Steel” does exactly what it says on the tin. Closing track “Dominate” seems a truly appropriate conclusion. Welding the guitar melody of Iron Maiden to their own powerhouse delivery, the conclusion to the album’s 35 minute run time is a true summation of their capabilities this far into their career.

We regularly use terms like “old school” and “old guard” but there truly is something special about bands like Destructor who stay the course and fight life’s challenges. On an album with the power of “Blood, Bone, and Fire” they have again accepted the challenge…and won. A must-listen for thrashers everywhere.

(8/10 Johnny Zed)

https://www.facebook.com/DestructorMetal

https://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/blood-bone-and-fire