Slauter Xstroyes - Davern's Tavern and Lounge, Justice, Illinois 4/18/25 (visual review-all images by Mark Kadzielawa)

 

Destruction – Birth of Malice (Napalm Records)

 

Destruction is back and more pissed off than ever. “Birth of Malice” is one angry record! Musically, it delivers one killer riff after another, all at breakneck speed; lyrically, it points out what’s wrong with the world in 2025. Despite the advanced age of its main creator, this band is beaming with youthful energy and uncontrolled anger!

“Birth of Malice” is the second album of the current Destruction lineup, and it appears to be even more refined than its predecessor. Every riff appears to be worked out with microscopic detail, and there simply isn’t room for mistakes. Destruction was and is a state-of-the-art classic thrash metal band. Vocalist/bassist Schmier found people who share his vision, and he’s proving once again that Destruction is no joke! This is a heavy album with very catchy riffs delivered at multiple speeds. It’s sincere, exactly as it was meant to be.

Lyrically, Schmier offers a lot of social and political commentary. The world is definitely moving in a chaotic direction on either side of the Atlantic and beyond. Destruction is here to call the shots and point the fingers. The bottom line is that if you were a scumbag, the Devil is waiting for you, and you can interpret that in any way you want.  

Destruction maintains its classic edge as well; after all, they are one of the originators of the style. The album is a quick and refined listen, and there are plenty of tracks that simply stay with you. The group is experiments with tempos, and it’s very enriching to the songs. “Birth of Malice” is definitely an album that should be swallowed as a whole, but don’t be surprised if it swallows you first!

Mark Kadzielawa

Humble Pie – Hallelujah: 1973-1983 (HNE Recordings)

 

In the early days of their existence, when Humble Pie was on, they were perhaps the most dangerous rock band on stage. Their live performances were simply outstanding. The free-form approach and improvisation elevated them to heights very few reached in those days.

This box concentrates on the second part of their career, perhaps the less known time, but still interesting and somewhat creative. This 5CD retrospective covers both live and studio recordings from Humble Pie. With the exception of the Live at Winterland from 1973, everything else centers around the band’s 1980s run.

After a four-year break, Steve Marriott reforms Humble Pie in 1979 and releases On to Victory in 1980 and then Go for the Throat in 1981. Neither record was a great success, but the musical climate was changing drastically, and a jam rock band could no longer do what it did a decade earlier. Listening back to these albums now, they do maintain a certain feel and give off a rather positive energy.

The box is completed by three live recordings from 1981, 1982, and 1983. When it comes to Humble Pie, this group was an undisputed live band. The performances are still great, but nowhere close to the infamous Fillmore show. It’s still a great treat to be able to follow a band through their recordings. As a whole package, this feels like a complete picture in the latter days of Humble Pie.

Hallelujah: 1973-1983 is the missing link in the complete history of Humble Pie. It’s a beautifully put-together collection. Some of these albums are out of print, and some of these live recordings are probably seeing the light of day for the first time. All in all, a great effort in bringing some vital history out of the shadows.

Mark Kadzielawa

Move – Message from the Country (Esoteric Recordings)

 

The Move was a band that eventually morphed into Electric Light Orchestra. This is their fourth and last album, released back in 1971. Now back in print and ready to be rediscovered. In addition, there are plenty of bonus tracks attached to this release.

Message from the country was in many ways done to fulfill the record contract. Electric Light Orchestra was already formed, and the band members were far more excited about the future, as opposed to the past. The band members vary in opinion when it comes to this record; some rate it as their best, others dismiss it completely.

Musically, Message from the Country continues with the path already established in the past. Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, and Bev Bevan were involved in completing this record. It’s a very transitional-sounding album, especially when compared to Electric Light Orchestra’s debut, which was being recorded at the same time. Roy Wood and his saxophone certainly stand out.

The album aged well, and despite the circumstances in which it was created, it has its own personality. It is a great representation of how the music was viewed in the late 60s and early 70s. That spirit is definitely alive here!

Mark Kadzielawa