Birth of Malice

Last updated

Birth of Malice
Birth of Malice.jpg
Studio album by
Released7 March 2025
Genre Thrash metal
Length50:33
Label Napalm
Producer
  • Schmier
  • Martin Furia
  • V.O. Pulver
Destruction chronology
Diabolical
(2022)
Birth of Malice
(2025)
Singles from Birth of Malice
  1. "No Kings – No Masters"
    Released: 6 June 2024
  2. "Fast as a Shark"
    Released: 10 July 2024
  3. "Destruction"
    Released: 14 November 2024
  4. "A.N.G.S.T."
    Released: 23 January 2025
  5. "Scumbag Human Race"
    Released: 20 February 2025

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.

Contents

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net 6.5/10 [9]
Distorted Sound7/10 [10]

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." [10]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Marcel Schmier, except where noted; all music is composed by Marcel Schmier, except where noted.

No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Birth of Malice"  1:00
2."Destruction"  5:22
3."Cyber Warfare" Schmier, Martin Furia4:24
4."No Kings – No Masters"  4:10
5."Scumbag Human Race" Schmier, Martin Furia4:16
6."God of Gore" Schmier, Martin Furia4:10
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, Baltes2:58
Total length:50:33

Personnel

Destruction

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Birth of Malice
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [11] 12
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [12] 144
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [13] 10
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [14] 23
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [15] 39
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [16] 18

References

  1. "Destruction - Working On New Material". Metal Storm. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  2. "Destruction Surprise Release New Single "No Kings – No Masters"; Official Music Video Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles . 6 June 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Destruction Premiere New Single & Music Video "No Kings – No Masters" From Upcoming New 12" Release". Metal Underground.com. 7 June 2024.
  4. "Thrash Metal Masters DESTRUCTION Release Cover of Accept's "Fast As A Shark" + Visualizer Video". Metalheads Forever Magazine. 10 July 2024.
  5. "Destruction Announces New Album Birth of Malice". Blabbermouth.net . 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  6. Hadusek, Jon (14 November 2024). "Destruction Announce New Album, Unleash Eponymous Single "Destruction": Stream". Consequence of Sound.
  7. "DESTRUCTION Releases New Single 'A.N.G.S.T.' From Upcoming 'Birth Of Malice' Album". Blabbermouth. 23 January 2025.
  8. "DESTRUCTION Releases New Single 'Scumbag Human Race' From Upcoming 'Birth Of Malice' Album". Blabbermouth. 20 February 2025.
  9. 1 2 Gorania, Jay H. (3 March 2025). "Reviews - Birth Of Malice". Blabbermouth.net . Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 Weaver, James (16 March 2025). "ALBUM REVIEW: Birth of Malice – Destruction". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  11. "Ö3 Austria Top40: Longplay Charts vom 18. März 2025". Ö3 Austria Top 40 . Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  12. "Ultratop.be – Destruction – Birth of Malice" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  13. "Offiziellecharts.de – Destruction – Birth of Malice" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  14. "Swisscharts.com – Destruction – Birth of Malice". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  15. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  16. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2025.