Destructor Tales Of Glory Review

Destructor

Tales Of Glory

Shadow Kingdom Records

2026

I'll be honest, I hadn't listened to Destructor since I was a kid. Somewhere along the way, the band simply fell off my radar. To make matters worse, I completely missed that they'd already released another album back in 2023. Thankfully, I managed to catch their latest effort, “Tales Of Glory”, which also happens to be the band's seventh full-length.

I’ve got some catching up to do. Since I'm coming into this one without hearing the band's recent output, let's focus on what's right in front of us.

“Tales Of Glory” is every bit as much fun as I remember Destructor being all those years ago. This is pure Power/Thrash Metal delivered with reckless abandon. There isn't a hint of restraint anywhere on this record. The band isn't chasing trends or trying to reinvent Heavy Metal, they're simply worshipping at the altar of massive riffs, blistering solos, and unapologetic speed. That's exactly what I wanted.

The spirit of classic bands like Helstar, Exciter, and Hallow’s Eve runs through these songs, but Destructor never sounds like they're copying anyone. They simply belong to that same proud generation of Metal bands that built careers on volume, attitude, and conviction.

For an old-school Metalhead like me, this record feels like reconnecting with an old friend. Will it win over the younger generation? Probably not. But that's missing the point. Destructor isn't making music for algorithms and bullshit. They're making music for those of us who still remember sweating through leather jackets in the middle of July, buying records because the cover looked evil and dangerous, while spending every spare dollar chasing the next great Metal album. This is lifer music.

The production follows that same philosophy. Rather than polishing every rough edge until it shines, “Tales Of Glory” embraces the raw energy that made '80s Metal so exciting in the first place. It honestly sounds like a handful of guys piled into a rehearsal room, turned every amplifier up to ten, counted to four, and let the riffs do the talking. There's an honesty here that's become increasingly rare.

Albums like this don't come around very often anymore. This isn't someone trying to recreate the glory days, this IS the glory days, just with a few more miles on the odometer. The whole record gives off serious Combat Records vibes. More than once, I caught myself feeling like I'd owned this album on a beat-up cassette sometime around 1986. That's not nostalgia talking, it's a testament to how authentic Destructor's approach still feels after all these years.

The band may never have reached the commercial heights they deserved, but it certainly wasn't because they lacked talent. That's a story for another day. Today belongs to “Tales Of Glory”. A record that lives up to its title. A celebration of honest-to-Satan Heavy Metal. And one hell of a reminder that we all need legends to step in and kick our ass every so often. Now grab a copy, crank it until the speakers beg for mercy, and let's go fucking crazy.

Standouts – “Answers In Blood”, “Wolves At Your Door”, “Victorious Warrior” and “Harbinger Of Death”

~Black Angel