Destruction

Biography

Thrash Metal (Heavy Metal) band from Weil am Rhein (Germany).

Destruction was formed in 1983 by Marcel Schirmer alias [a=Schmier] (bass, vocals), Mike Sifringer (guitar) and Tommy Sandmann (drums).

They made a rather raw debut with 1984’s mini-album Sentence Of Death, but quickly refined their sound into potent, powerful thrash for the excellent Infernal Overkill.

Second guitarist Harry Wilkens joined following the recording of the equally ferocious Eternal Devastation to bolster the live sound, although Sandmann also departed to be replaced by Oliver Kaiser, and the pair made their debut on the Mad Butcher EP.

Release From Agony saw the band make full use of the extra dimension the second guitar added, although their increasing musical dexterity and more intricate song structures did nothing to temper Destruction’s aggression and heaviness, and the band began to extend themselves abroad, playing with Motörhead across Europe and on a few dates of Slayer’s US tour.

Live Without Sense was an adequate display of the band’s onstage power, but Destruction’s fortunes took a downturn after they supported Celtic Frost on their Cold Lake UK tour. Internal dissent led to Schmier’s departure, with the rest of the band electing to pursue a more melodic direction.

Cracked Brain was recorded with new bassist Christian Engler and stand-in vocalist Andre Grieder, but was disappointing. Further credibility was lost with a pointless cover version of the Knack’s “My Sharona’, and Destruction soon folded.

The band re-formed in the mid-90s with new members Thomas Rosenmerkel (vocals) and Michael Piranio (guitars) to record the Destruction and Them Not Me EPs, and 1996″s The Least Successful Human Cannonball, all of which were released on their own Brain Butcher label. Sifringer and Schmier inaugurated a full-scale reformation in 1999, recruiting new drummer Sven Herwig to record All Hell Breaks Loose.

Additional notes:
Arguably the first German thrash band. Their original name was Knight of Demon, but that was changed after a few weeks. They went from an Iron Maiden-esque sound to one heavily influenced by Venom in a matter of weeks.

In the early 90’s Flemming Ronsdorf (Artillery) was asked to join Destruction as new vocalist. He rehearsed with the band, but didn’t join because the label didn’t want to send him money in advance before the upcoming tour (according to Ronsdorf).

The releases between 1994 and 1998 have been disowned by the band and are now classed as “Neo-Destruction” and not part of their offical discography.

[a=Schmier] performed guest vocals on the 2006 album “The Winter Wake” by the Folk Metal band [a=Elvenking].

Current line-up:
Marcel Schirmer alias [a=Schmier] – Bass & Vocals (1982-1989, 1999-)
Damir Eskic – Guitar (2019-)
Martin Furia – Guitar (2022-)
Randy Black – Drums (2018-)

Former/past member(s)

Vocals:
André Grieder (Poltergeist (Che)) (1990)
Thomas Rosenmerkel (Ephemera’s Party, Jesus Chrysler Superskunk) (1993-1999)

Guitars:
Mike Sifringer (1982-2022)
Harry Wilkens (1987-1990)
Michael Piranio (Ephemera’s Party, Jesus Chrysler Superskunk) (1993-1999)

Bass:
Christian Engler (Necronomicon (Ger)) (1994-1998)

Drums:
Thomas “Tommy” Sandmann (1982-1987)
Oliver “Olli” Kaiser (1987-1999)
Sven Vormann (Jesus Chrysler Superskunk, Abandoned, Cryonix, The Lie) (1999-2002)
Marc Reign (2002-2010)
Wawrzyniec Dramowicz (2010-2018)

Guest(s):
Chris Witchhunter (Sodom) (‘Eternal Devastation’ tour) (R.I.P. 7th September 2008)