Artist: DESTRUCTION
Album: SENTENCE OF DEATH [EURO COVER] VINYL REISSUE (LP BLACK)

Release date: 15.03.2025
EAN/UPS: 4251267720163
Media type: LP

Sure as hell, Destruction need no introduction – but sure as hell, they deserve a proper one! Formed in 1982 under the moniker Knight of Demon, they soon adopted the name they have been going by now for over thirty years, and in 1984 the young and hungry three-piece from the southwest Germany, who later would become one of the Big Teutonic 4, released their Debut EP “Sentence of Death” via Steamhammer.

On “Sentence of Death”, Destruction set up a new speed mark with the song 'Devil’s Soldiers', and they also introduced two of their most important compositions: “Mad Butcher” became their trademark song because of the crazy catchy riff and the violent splatter lyrics, while “Total Desaster” is still one of vocalist Schmier's own faves, due to its punk attitude and the pure energy of the songwriting. “Great fun to play live, even after 34 years!”

The EP was recorded and mixed in September 1984 at Caet Studio, Berlin, within eyeshot of the then still indestructible Berlin Wall. It was Horst Müller who did all the mixing and mastering, while Wolfgang Eichholz – guitarist of the band S.A.D.O. – produced the EP. Schmier also shares his favourite anecdotes from the recording sessions: “Mike, the main songwriter, forgot his underwear, so he played all guitar parts in just one pair that he constantly wore – it makes for a crunchier sound right? Haha...”

Destruction's Debut EP was the raw and aggressive first vinyl strike of a band that was hungry to be the hardest and fastest metal band of all, and fans and press still agree that it set a standard. It was the ideal starting point for the band's first album, and as “Sentence of Death” was a huge success, it convinced Steamhammer to offer the band a proper record deal and the opportunity to release their first full-length album

Back when Destruction started out doing what they do, nobody ever thought that this extreme style of heavy metal would go anywhere – but “Sentence of Death” is the living proof that underdogs can break through if only they believe in themselves and in what they do...


TRACKLIST LP:

1. Intro
2. Total Desaster
3. Black Mass
4. Mad Butcher
5. Satan's Vengeance
6. Devil's Soldiers