Like a fine whiskey, Destruktor only gets better with age. 22 years since their first demo (on cassette, remember those?) and four years on from their second full-release Opprobrium, Destruktor are kicking back into action for BLAZE Geelong December 7th hosted by the Barwon Club.
Fresh with a new bassist, the metal trio will be belting out all the fan favourites as well as premiering new music for the first time in years. “The time has come for us to launch a new track, ‘Writhe in Pain’,” revealed vocalist and guitarist Glenn Lynch.
“It has been years since we have played an unheard song live, and I look forward to playing something fresh for the maniacs. This is the first complete track for the upcoming album Indomitable, which we will record in 2020.”
As well as introducing the new track, this is the first gig Destuktor are playing with their new line-up featuring fresh-faced bassist Chris McEwin, who fans may recognise from heavy metal five-piece Nemesium.
“It took some time, but we managed to get Chris McEwin on board. He was always going to help out in some way whilst we found a permanent bassist, but with the offer of playing the Krisiun gig (June 2019), he stood up, and it just made sense for him to work further with us in a more permanent sense from that point.”
“He has been around the traps of the local metal scene for many years, and was actually my target when I first moved to Geelong over 12 years ago,” Lynch continued. “It is great to have someone with a strong bass background playing in DESTRUKTOR. I feel things are that bit sharper and heavier than ever before, and it is only early stages with this lineup.”
Despite the new line-up and the years that have passed, changes to Destruktor’s sound are ‘minimal’.
“I might sing it a little bit different, might a little more dynamic occasionally, might be slightly different fill, but really, the songs have remained the same” Glenn explained. “Chris has already found a couple of tweaks that add a bit more heaviness, and is rather strong with his down picking, which will give a touch more attack at certain times.”
Destruktor just one of the metal outfits headed to the BC for BLAZE Geelong, the first side-show of Ballarat-based BLAZE Festival. Featuring headliners Desecrator, The Resignators, and Demonhead. With a range of subgenres categorising the bands taking to the stage, Destruktor will be up the heavier end of the metal spectrum. To quote Lynch: “Destruktor guitars are not about mastery, but catchy, intense and/or heavy riffs that smash you in the face continually.
“In some way or another [I’m keen to see] all of [BLAZE’s acts] as I am not so familiar with these bands, (I generally stick to the more extreme end of metal). I ain’t seen Descrator in some time, and not with the new guitarist, so [I’m] keen to see what they bring now. Surely an engaging, tight, thrash attack! I am gonna float between stages and check most, if not all, bands whilst trying to stay fairly sober.”
Don’t miss this chance to grab some of Destrukor’s limited merch with their signature logo, designed by the legendary Christophe ‘Volvox’ Szpajdel. “We have about 9 logo shirts (mostly Large),” added Lynch. “Opprobrium CD’s and cassettes, 3 different patch designs, little badges, stubby holders and fridge magnet/bottle openers.”
This appearance marks the start of a new chapter for Destruktor, with a new bassist closing this year, and a new album on the near horizon, and a CD release featuring their demo from 1997, 7″ from 2002, and a couple of other rarities planned in the new year.
Doors open for BLAZE at 5pm, December 7th at the Barwon Club. Tickets are 18+ and available from OzTix.com.
Written by Thom Devereux
