Release Date June 19th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Thrash/Speed Metal
Origin United States
Destructor formed in Cleveland in 1984, drawing its character from a city built on steel and an American scene where traditional heavy metal was colliding with thrash. “Maximum Destruction” arrived in 1985 and became an underground landmark, gaining overseas circulation through Roadrunner Records and attracting interest from Island Records. The band’s rise ended brutally on New Year’s Day 1988, when bassist Dave Holocaust was murdered by a stranger. The major label opportunity disappeared, and Destructor disbanded in 1992 after several difficult years.
A reunion followed in 1999, with Jamie Boulder joining in 2002 and “Sonic Bullet” beginning a new run of releases. “Forever In Leather”, “Storm Of Steel”, “Back In Bondage” and “Decibel Casualties” rebuilt the band’s international following through persistent touring and recording. Destructor signed with Shadow Kingdom Records in 2022, leading to “Blood, Bone, And Fire” the next year. Founding vocalist Dave Overkill now fronts a lineup completed by guitarist Mark Hellhound, bassist Tim Hammer and drummer Matt Flammable, musicians rooted in the band’s long power thrash tradition.
“Tales Of Glory” contains ten songs, using that compact span to broaden Destructor’s heavy metal side with speed metal surges, heroic melodies and riffing firmly tied to power thrash. The guitars alternate between rapid down picked motion, broad chords and twin lead melodies, while Matt Flammable’s drumming shifts from charging double bass work to steadier traditional metal rhythms. Tim Hammer’s bass sits lower in the mix than it should in several sections, though its movement adds depth whenever the guitars pull back.
The production places the rhythm guitars and vocals forward, with a large drum sound and enough separation for the melodic details to register; some stacked choruses come across oversized, an acceptable trade for the album’s epic scale. Dave Overkill attacks with high screams, rough midrange calls and a weathered edge that belongs to Destructor, although a few upper notes strain under the intensity.
Several refrains resolve along expected lines, and the heroic wording can become blunt, while concise arrangements, vigorous riff changes and energetic lead guitar prevent those choices from becoming dull. “Tales Of Glory” is a focused, ferocious heavy metal album from a band entering its fifth decade with fire intact, trimmed of filler and built around songs that hit quickly, rise high and leave a firm final impression.
|8.5
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