MORBID SAINT - Destruction System LP (Black Vinyl)

The context surrounding this release is simply sad, after the milestone that was Spectrum of Death the last thing this band deserved was to disappear and leave extreme thrash fans with only one album to rejoice over. But there was also something else, in the same way that Spectrum of Death had a predecessor demo distributed at the band's shows, a second demo that promised a sophomore album was the sign of something that came close but didn't happen... Until 2015, when the studio album finally saw the light of day. However this second release hasn't had nearly the same impact as the debut. Was it because it came too late? Or was it because it wasn't up to the level of Spectrum of Death? The truth is that comparing it to the debut is a mistake, it's not worth it because Spectrum of Death was simply a lightning in a bottle, something so extremely unique and special that not even the band itself would be able to repeat it, so unless you want to set yourself up for disappointment just enjoy this release on its own merits.

Of course Destrucion System shares many elements with the debut album, in some ways it's even better, the intensity of the band hasn't gone away and has no intention of doing so, the riffs are still monstrous and addictive, they really feel reminiscent of the old school, also the chaotic solos are still spectacular radiating the same energy as on the debut. The drums on the other hand, are if anything much better than on Spectrum of Death, not only are they better produced and mixed in the final cut, Lee Reynolds delivers an underrated performance making, at times, his instrument the centrepiece of the composition, and that's saying a lot on an album so dedicated to riffs. The best example of this can be seen immediately in the first song of the album, as there are several sections where the drums are the king of the scene, build ups, fillers, blast beats... The fact that it is such a fast and wild album is thanks to the rhythm that sets the pace throughout the whole work.