DESTRUCTION Signs New Deal With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION have signed a new deal with Nuclear Blast Records.

Founded in 1982, DESTRUCTION soared to the top of the national thrash metal movement, with albums like "Infernal Overkill" and "Eternal Devastation" tucked away in the band's impressive heavy metal arsenal. Even the group's later work such as "All Hell Breaks Loose" and "The Antichrist" are glorious moments in thrash, highlighting why DESTRUCTION are part of the "Big Teutonic 4"… and still touring the world with great success.

After the latest successful Nuclear Blast releases "Day Of Reckoning" (2011),"Spiritual Genocide" (2012),"Under Attack" (2016) and the recently released best-of "Thrash Anthems II", DESTRUCTION has decided to sign a new deal with the label so that the formidable pairing can continue to produce even more greatness.

DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Schmier states: "Somehow this came by surprise, and I know that sounds weird, but we were so focused and excited about finishing the new album that the paperwork did not really matter to us at that time. When we did realize that our contract with the label is due, it took us only some minutes to negotiate a new deal.

"We are a part of the Nuclear Blast family now since more than 15 years, we feel at home here, we trust each other in this monkey business and also many people that work for the label we call our friends. So this re-signing is something that came very easy and natural.

"Working with the best label in metal is still an honor, 'cause they supported us through the good and the bad times!

"DESTRUCTION 2019 is stronger than ever, the new lineup is killing and we will have more news about the upcoming record very soon. Please stay tuned, dear metalheads!"

Nuclear Blast head of A&R Andy Siry adds: "We are really happy and proud that the almighty DESTRUCTION re-sign with Nuclear Blast. It is a honor for us to work with these guys. The whole band became very good friends over the years. So we are looking forward to release the upcoming new thrash metal classic. Stay tuned!"

Schmier recently told France's Duke TV about DESTRUCTION's new lineup, which features drummer Randy Black and guitarist Damir Eskic: "We were looking for the new lineup for a long time. When we knew our old drummer would leave the band, we already had Randy Black in mind, because he helped us out before and he was one of my favorite drummers for many years. And, of course, every new member brings a little bit of a new style, a new direction he plays, but all in all, for DESTRUCTION, it's important that they fit into the DESTRUCTION style. Now we have found a very fresh new lineup [with which] we can [make] hopefully another 10, 15, 20 years of music. And for us, it was important to make a little change in the routine. We wanted to have a second guitarist for live, but also for the new album."

Regarding the making of DESTRUCTION's upcoming album, Schmier said: "It's a process that took us three months — writing, recording and mixing. The new influence of the guys is there, because there's more shredding leads. Randy is a very solid, very tight player — very groovy also. You can hear that. We tried to make songs this time that are hitting on the target faster — the songs hit you right away. It's brutal, but it's very catchy. So you hear the songs the first time, right away you will remember [them]. You don't write an album like this every time. Sometimes you write songs, and after a while, you're, like, 'It's maybe too complicated,' because you wanna be an artist, you wanna express yourself. I think this time we managed to write an album that's very punchy."

Damir is a Swiss guitar player of Bosnian decent who works as a guitar teacher, himself being a former pupil of Tommy Vetterli (CORONER). He also plays in a heavy metal band called GOMORRA and previously contributed three solos to DESTRUCTION's 2016 album "Under Attack".

DESTRUCTION previously played with two guitarists in the late 1980s (with the addition of Harry Wilkens) and then again throughout much of the 1990s (Michael "Ano" Piranio).