Birth of Malice
| Birth of Malice | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 March 2025 | |||
| Genre | Thrash metal | |||
| Length | 50:33 | |||
| Label | Napalm | |||
| Producer |
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| Destruction chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Birth of Malice | ||||
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Birth of Malice is the sixteenth studio album by the German thrash metal band Destruction. It was released on 7 March 2025 through Napalm Records.
Background and promotion
On 23 January 2024, Destruction announced that they were working of their sixteenth studio album.[1] On 6 June, the band the album's first single, titled "No Kings - No Masters".[2][3] On 10 July, they released the second single, a cover song of Accept's "Fast as a Shark", which is also included in the 12" single of "No Kings - No Masters" released on the same day.[4][3] On 12 November, Destruction announced the name of their sixteenth studio album Birth of Malice, and two days later, they released the third single "Destruction", their namesake song.[5][6] On 23 January 2025, the band released the fourth single "A.N.G.S.T."[7] On 20 February, they released the fifth and final single "Scumbag Human Race".[8]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Blabbermouth.net | 6.5/10[9] |
| Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles | 8/10[10] |
| Distorted Sound | 7/10[11] |
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Jay H. Gorania from Blabbermouth.net gave the album 6.5 out of 10, stating that the album won't find regular rotation amongst thrash metal fans but it won't disappoint them either.[9] James Weaver of Distorted Sound scored the album 7 out of 10 and called the album "a fine edition to the band's arsenal" and "a no holds barred thrash romp from one of the scene’s most loyal servants."[11]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Marcel Schmier, except where noted; all music is composed by Marcel Schmier, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Birth of Malice" | 1:00 | ||
| 2. | "Destruction" | 5:22 | ||
| 3. | "Cyber Warfare" | Schmier, Martin Furia | 4:24 | |
| 4. | "No Kings – No Masters" | 4:10 | ||
| 5. | "Scumbag Human Race" | Schmier, Martin Furia | 4:16 | |
| 6. | "God of Gore" | Schmier, Martin Furia | 4:10 | |
| 7. | "A.N.G.S.T." | 5:09 | ||
| 8. | "Dealer of Death" | 4:55 | ||
| 9. | "Evil Never Sleeps" | 4:28 | ||
| 10. | "Chains of Sorrow" | 4:12 | ||
| 11. | "Greed" | 4:59 | ||
| 12. | "Fast as a Shark" (Accept cover) | Wolf Hoffmann, Stefan Kaufmann, Udo Dirkschneider, Peter Baltes | Hoffmann, Kaufmann, Dirkschneider, Baltes | 2:58 |
| Total length: | 50:33 | |||
Personnel
Destruction
- Schmier – bass, lead vocals
- Randy Black – drums
- Damir Eskic – guitars, backing vocals
- Martin Furia – guitars, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- Schmier – production
- Martin Furia – production, recording (drums, percussion), mixing, mastering
- Randy Black – recording (drums, percussion)
- V.O. Pulver – production, recording
- Gyula Havancsák – artwork
- Jennifer Gruber – photography
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[12] | 12 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[13] | 144 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[14] | 9 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] | 23 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[16] | 39 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[17] | 18 |
References
- ^ "Destruction - Working On New Material". Metal Storm. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Destruction Surprise Release New Single "No Kings – No Masters"; Official Music Video Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 6 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Destruction Premiere New Single & Music Video "No Kings – No Masters" From Upcoming New 12" Release". Metal Underground.com. 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Thrash Metal Masters DESTRUCTION Release Cover of Accept's "Fast As A Shark" + Visualizer Video". Metalheads Forever Magazine. 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Destruction Announces New Album Birth of Malice". Blabbermouth.net. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ Hadusek, Jon (14 November 2024). "Destruction Announce New Album, Unleash Eponymous Single "Destruction": Stream". Consequence of Sound.
- ^ "DESTRUCTION Releases New Single 'A.N.G.S.T.' From Upcoming 'Birth Of Malice' Album". Blabbermouth. 23 January 2025.
- ^ "DESTRUCTION Releases New Single 'Scumbag Human Race' From Upcoming 'Birth Of Malice' Album". Blabbermouth. 20 February 2025.
- ^ a b Gorania, Jay H. (3 March 2025). "Reviews - Birth Of Malice". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Gromen, Mark (February 2025). "Destruction– Birth Of Malice". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ^ a b Weaver, James (16 March 2025). "ALBUM REVIEW: Birth of Malice – Destruction". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ "Ö3 Austria Top40: Longplay Charts vom 18. März 2025". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Destruction – Birth of Malice" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Destruction – Birth of Malice" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Destruction – Birth of Malice". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 14/3/2025 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 14/3/2025 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2025.