German speed metal icons Destruction recently completed a full-scale U.S. tour with Into Eternity, Municipal Waste and Hirax, European festivals including a successful stint at Wacken, and then announced a full UK tour for this November with Onslaught as support on top!! The group tour in support of their latest AFM Records release "Thrash Anthems", and main man Schmier is promising something of a bonanza for UK fans. The said album is a reworked 'Best Of..' featuring a track-list that spans vocalist Schmier's first era in the band-the 1980s. Schmier was kind enough to answer a few questions for Metal Mayhem recently.
Metal Mayhem: How has the touring gone so far? You've promised this bonanza of tracks for the UK? Any details....?
Schmier: The fans have been waiting forever over there and they've been really patient whilst we've been out on the road elsewhere, so they deserve a long kick ass "Best Of" set. We've got 50/50 old and new, so all the classics will be there. We will break your necks, motherfuckers! He! He! He!...
MM: Now, when I saw you guys play in Detroit earlier this year, my neck was really sore for a few days afterwards from all the head banging. How do you continue to do it? Does the speed and all the head banging take a toll on your body, especially since you guys have been doing it for about twenty-five years now?
Schmier: It's like working out. We do this like a sport. I love the power and the adrenalin, it keeps me in shape. We play a lot so we can give the most energetic show every night. Just the drinkin´ doesn´t help, now...the hangovers are gettin' worse with age!
MM: Your US tour was a major trip. San Francisco has had a huge impact on the Thrash scene; how was your show there?
Schmier: It's always a honour to come back to the Bay Area! It was sold out and crazy, as almost all of the coast shows in the US and Canada were actually. But LA has the biggest Thrash Scene in the US nowadays I think. All young kids; and they love the old-school Thrash stuff too! Music history is moving in circles and now it seems that the old-school Metal stuff has reached out to that young generation again!
MM: Your touring this year has been in support of "Thrash Anthems", the album that ultimately re-writes the sound of your early material. For those unlucky enough to miss your killer performances, especially at Wacken, can you tell us about the awesome set you played?
Schmier: We played all the classics and some forgotten jewels...Ha! Ha! Ha! We have a solid set that can be extended to a two hour show. Always depending on crowd, venue and curfew. In Wacken this year, we had the 'MAD BUTCHER' and all the former members on stage with us as well; it was great fun! We like to surprise the kids!
MM: "Thrash Anthems" is a reworked album from the first era you were in the band, as I mentioned. Why did you decide to release this album at this point in the band's career?
Schmier: Because a lot of the younger fans are not so familiar with the very old recordings and they're not really available that easily nowadays. They don't sound very good but they have a lot of killer riffing and ideas. It was time to close this chapter and build a bridge between the old and the new Destruction really!
MM: What do the re-recordings have that the originals lacked, honestly?
Schmier: Playing skills, tightness and an up-to-date sound. I like the old shit but "Thrash Anthems" rips!
MM: You and guitarist Mike comprise Destruction's core, being the sole original members of the band. Mike released a couple of albums when you departed, which most fans do not consider true Destruction material. If either you or Mike decide you no longer want to be in the band, will that signal the end of Destruction?
Schmier: For sure. Yes!
MM: You recorded two new tracks on "Thrash Anthems." Are these tracks a good indication of how your next full length album will sound? Any new material written?
Schmier: I don't know. We wanted those two new ones to be a little more technical and melodic. No as fast as the rest. The new album will have a mix of progressive parts, heavy grooves and intense speed.
MM: I know you're currently busy with Headhunter, the band you fronted when out of Destruction. Give us an idea how that differs and where that's going. Three re-issues are out already and there's a new album in the pipeline I believe?
Schmier: Headhunter is a fun project. I can use those song ideas that are too catchy, too melodic or just not Thrashy enough for Destruction. I'm a huge NWOBHM fan. Mix that with Destruction and you have Headhunter. It's more Metal than Thrash. But no wimpy shit!
MM: What are your touring plans now? You've just been to Japan, there's the UK dates we know about - yet next year is your 25th Anniversary?
Schmier: Well, we'll do the biggest tour in our history in 2008/2009. This will be a fantastic year! Hopefully we'll play in some countries where we have never played before; like China, Singapore or North Africa!
MM: At the end of your US tour, you said you will be back in the U.S. with Sodom and Kreator, a tour which has, of course, graced the stages of Europe already. Can you give us anymore details of that tour? Could that be something the US can look out for as part of the 25th Anniversary maybe?
Schmier: Yes - and I don't intend giving up on this until this billing comes together for North America either!
MM: Now, when I saw you guys play in Detroit earlier this year, my neck was really sore for a few days afterwards from all the head banging. How do you continue to do it? Does the speed and all the head banging take a toll on your body, especially since you guys have been doing it for about twenty-five years now?
MM: "Thrash Anthems" is a reworked album from the first era you were in the band, as I mentioned. Why did you decide to release this album at this point in the band's career?
MM: I know you're currently busy with Headhunter, the band you fronted when out of Destruction. Give us an idea how that differs and where that's going. Three re-issues are out already and there's a new album in the pipeline I believe?
