Their sound can be described as a blend between black, thrash and death metal, although in recent releases, the band's death metal edge has become more prominent. For example, the album 'Unchain the Wolves', considered to be their finest by many fans, has a less head-on and aggressive sound than later albums such as 'Cold Steel... for an Iron Age', which uses a more bombastic and hard-hitting tone. Their latest album, 'Defiance', was released on June 22nd 2009 through Season of Mist records.
Warslut formed the band following his departure from the cult black metal band Bestial Warlust. The project was a solo venture at first but eventually evolved into a proper band. The group's debut EP, "Violence is the Prince of this World," featured Warslut on guitar, bass and vocals, with Matt Skitz from Damaged and Criss Volcano from Abominator on drums. The song "The Eternal Glory of War" was later re-recorded for the album 'Phoenix Rising').
Following this release, Deströyer 666 got a full line-up that included bassist Bullet Eater (aka Phil Gresik, ex-Bestial Warlust, Hobbs' Angel of Death and Mass Confusion), Gospel of the Horns drummer Howitzer and guitarist Shrapnel. With these members the band recorded its first album, 'Unchain the Wolves'. Following this Howitzer was replaced by Deceiver and during 1999 Deströyer 666 recorded 'Phoenix Rising', though it was not released for more than a year.
During 2000, the band toured Europe extensively. Dutch drummer Erich de Windt of Sinister and Prostitute Disfigurement joined the band after the recording of the EP "King of Kings". Gresik left to be replaced by Simon Berserker. 'Phoenix Rising' was released by Season of Mist in November. De Windt was replaced by German drummer Mersus in 2001 and Deströyer 666 toured through Europe again with Immolation and Deranged, after which the band left Australia for good. Warslut settled in Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Shrapnel began living in London.
The 2002 album 'Cold Steel... For an Iron Age' featured cover art, which the band has since disavowed, claiming they never approved it. A reissue of the album was scheduled for late 2005 but as of May 2009, this has still not come to light. It is supposed to feature all new artwork as well as bonus songs. The group is also working on a new LP containing all of the songs previously released only on 7" vinyl EPs.
Lone Wolf Winter
Deströyer 666 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alone again
Lookin' sideways
Paranoid again
Gotta get out
Out of here
Cannot breathe
With the Stench of Fear!
Gets the Gift of the Second Sight
Don't believe that I belong,
Don't feel right but I don't feel wrong
I think I'm a Wolf, then I'm Crazy,
I think what I need is a Bitch, don't you?
How is it that I have become the Hunter and the Hunted
and thought has become my enemy?
Memory falls away behind me, leaving me in Despair
I run but I cannot hide, the Terror is inside
I awake but the Nightmare is still here
The lyrics to Deströyer 666's song "Lone Wolf Winter" describe a sense of isolation and paranoia, with the singer feeling like they no longer belong in their surroundings. They feel like they are going crazy and are caught in a constant struggle between being a predator and being prey. The word "wolf" is used metaphorically to represent the singer's inner wildness and aggression, which they cannot control. They are suffering from a constant state of fear which creates a never-ending nightmare, and they are struggling to escape from it.
The line "Memory falls away behind me, leaving me in Despair" indicates that the singer has experienced something traumatic in their past that is haunting them. They are desperately trying to run away from their past, but the fear and terror continue to grip them. The repeated reference to the "stench of fear" further emphasizes the sense of unease and anxiety present in the singer's mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Lone Wolf Winter...
The singer is isolated and feeling the effects of winter.
Alone again
The singer is once again by themselves.
Lookin' sideways
The singer is paranoid and on edge.
Paranoid again
The artist is feeling paranoid.
Gotta get out
The artist needs to escape their current situation.
Out of here
The singer wants to leave their current location.
Cannot breathe
The singer is feeling suffocated.
With the Stench of Fear!
The atmosphere is overwhelming with fear.
Black days and blacker Nights
The artist is experiencing dark times.
Gets the Gift of the Second Sight
The artist possesses heightened intuition.
Don't believe that I belong,
The singer does not feel like they fit in.
Don't feel right but I don't feel wrong
The artist is experiencing an inner conflict.
I think I'm a Wolf, then I'm Crazy,
The singer is questioning their own sanity.
I think what I need is a Bitch, don't you?
The singer desires companionship.
How is it that I have become the Hunter and the Hunted
The singer is experiencing a role reversal.
and thought has become my enemy?
The artist is struggling with their own thoughts.
Memory falls away behind me, leaving me in Despair
The artist is feeling hopeless as they lose their memories.
I run but I cannot hide, the Terror is inside
The singer is haunted by their own fears.
I awake but the Nightmare is still here
The singer is stuck in a never-ending nightmare.
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.