Live Review: Destruction, Killrazer, Lethal Vendetta

Sydney locals Lethal Vendetta offer up a pretty compelling sound - big on the sweet melodies of the new wave of British heavy metal movement but with the aggression of classic thrash and even hints of Exhorder-styled groove power. Tight and focused, the boys ripped through offerings from their No Prisoners No Mercy album with obvious glee. Definitely a solid start to the night.

Killrazer have been a feature on the local scene for over a decade and have supported some of the biggest names in the business while also forging their own unique path. Tonight, they played with their custom viciousness but a murky guitar mix blunted what is usually a (ahem) razor-sharp attack. Still, with some quality songs in their back catalogue, including some long-awaited new material, the band had heads banging in furious agreement.

This reviewer last saw Destruction in a sweaty little room on Williams Street way back near the turn of the century. Not surprisingly, they remained as sharp and brutal as we remembered them. Frontman Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer remains the high priest of thrash, delivering sermon after sermon of sneering hatred including classics like Curse The Gods, Antichrist, Release From Agony, the rarely played Black Mass from their debut EP, and material from the band's triumphant modern period - The Butcher Strikes Back, Dethroned and the majestic Nailed To The Cross. As a trio, the band displayed more power than many five-piece outfits - from Schmier's signature snarling vocals to Randy Black's relentless performance behind the kit and, of course, Mike Sifringer - who didn't say a word but delivered flawless riffs and searing leads. Ending the night with the totemic Bestial Invasion, Destruction showed that while they may not have the profile of some of their Teutonic contemporaries they remain just as vital and important to thrash metal as any band on the planet.