Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "… Read Full Bio ↴Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "The Big Four" of the German thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator, Sodom and Tankard. Three of those four (Tankard being the exception) are often credited with helping pioneer black metal, by containing several elements of what was to become the genre. Destruction was originally named Knight of Demon, but changed their name in 1984. For most of the 1990s, Destruction was not signed to a record label and was forced to self-produce their albums until they signed a contract with Nuclear Blast in the 2000s.

Biography
Inspired by Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, Motörhead and Venom, Destruction were formed as Knight of Demon in 1982. The original line-up featured vocalist and bassist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, drummer Tommy Sandmann, and guitarist Mike Sifringer. They soon changed their name to Destruction and released a demo titled Bestial Invasion of Hell in 1984. After this the group signed with Steamhammer Records and released an EP titled Sentence of Death later that year.

Destruction released their first full-length album titled Infernal Overkill in 1985, followed by Eternal Devastation in 1986. The trio then added a second guitarist, Harry Wilkens, and released the EP Mad Butcher in 1987, followed by the full-length album Release from Agony (also released in 1987), then a live recording Live Without Sense in 1989, and Cracked Brain in 1990. In 1989, Schmier left the band and Mike Sifringer continued to release albums under the moniker of "Neo-Destruction".

In 1999, Schmier rejoined, and things began to look up for the band as they signed a record deal with Nuclear Blast. They then released three more albums: All Hell Breaks Loose in 2000, The Antichrist in 2001, and Metal Discharge in 2003. The band would then sign with AFM Records and release Inventor of Evil in 2005. That album was followed two years later by the compilation of re-recorded songs Thrash Anthems (2007), and then a year later by D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. (2008). In February 2011, Destruction released Day of Reckoning.

A European tour with Overkill was scheduled for March 2011. Headlining dates in South America and North America were being planned for April and May.

The band's thirteenth studio album, Spiritual Genocide, was released in November 23, 2012. Their next album, Under Attack, was released on May 13, 2016.

Studio albums
Infernal Overkill (1985)
Eternal Devastation (1986)
Release from Agony (1987)
Cracked Brain (1990)
The Least Successful Human Cannonball (1998)
All Hell Breaks Loose (2000)
The Antichrist (2001)
Metal Discharge (2003)
Inventor of Evil (2005)
Thrash Anthems (2007)
D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. (2008)
Day of Reckoning (2011)
Spiritual Genocide (2012)
Under Attack (2016)

Mortal Remains
Destruction Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I'm writing these lines
We're starting to breathe
Having the chance to spread the word
Seems a natural release

Difficult to resist
The moment of pleasure
Than doesn't exist

Temptation is leading to the abyss
Addicted to the sweet deadly kiss

Mortal remains, wallow in additional bloodstain
Mortal remains, hopeless life goes down to drain
Mortal remains, evil spiritual domain
Mortal remains
Remains

The chance to intimate
Will diminish my pain
Intellectual update
Will show if I'm not insane

Slaughtering my dreams
Nothing is like it seems
Suicide pride
Vague thoughts can't decide

Termenting your soul
No hope on parole

Death wish fates life
Victory of the inner strife

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Destruction's song "Mortal Remains" depict a sense of contemplation and reflection on the human condition. The opening lines suggest the act of writing as a means of catharsis, a way to release pent-up emotions and thoughts. The singer acknowledges the opportunity to communicate their message, emphasizing the natural impulse in doing so.

The lyrics then delve into the theme of temptation and its consequences. The imagery of addiction and a "sweet deadly kiss" represents the allure of destructive behaviors and the subsequent downfall that accompanies them. The repetition of the phrase "Mortal remains" serves as a reminder of the inevitable mortality that we all face, as well as the dark consequences of our actions.

The second part of the lyrics explores the pain and turmoil experienced by the singer. There is a longing for intimacy and a desire for intellectual growth to alleviate their suffering. The mention of "slaughtering my dreams" and the uncertainty represented by "vague thoughts" reflects a sense of internal struggle and confusion.

The overall tone of the lyrics is one of contemplation, darkness, and the existential battle faced in life. It highlights the destructive tendencies that can lead to the downfall of the self, while also touching on the longing for understanding and connection. "Mortal Remains" serves as a poetic reflection on the complexities of human existence and the inner strife that accompanies it.

Line by Line Meaning

As I'm writing these lines
As I express my thoughts through writing

We're starting to breathe
We are beginning to feel alive

Having the chance to spread the word
Having the opportunity to share our message

Seems a natural release
Feels like a cathartic release

Difficult to resist
Hard to refrain from

The moment of pleasure
The fleeting sensation of enjoyment

Than doesn't exist
That is not real

Temptation is leading to the abyss
The allure is guiding us towards destruction

Addicted to the sweet deadly kiss
Hooked on the dangerous allure

Mortal remains, wallow in additional bloodstain
Human remains steeped in more violence

Mortal remains, hopeless life goes down to drain
The remains of a hopeless and wasted life