It’s come late to the table, released the 16th of December in actual fact and yet this is My Album of the Year, because it serves up all that is needed to sate my voracious demands from a Heavy Metal recording. For a start it is an intoxicating exultation of Genocide’s 30th Anniversary (1979-2009), an absolute fervid album release which is as much about Genocide’s cult status among Metal fans as a labour of love by the band themselves. Hark back to Dogmatic’s album review earlier this year applauding the magnificent Shadow Kingdom Records’ rerelease/remaster of the 1988 original Genocide debut ‘Black Sanctuary’ and you will know that this servant of Dogmatism is utterly enthralled by Genocide’s ability to sauté your ears with the finest heavy metal music ever.
The Destroy and Hell release puts together the original ‘Black Sanctuary’ album (remastered of course plus a bonus track) in its first domestic only outing in Japan and what is for me the tour de force, the DVD. This is not your usual pissweak extras DVD so common with other ‘bigger’ bands featuring one or two videos, the ‘Destroy and Hell’ disc it is a jam packed collection of live performances videoed through the preceding years, the highlights to my taste remain ;The Rites’ footage from Tokyo in 2000 and the superlative triumph of the band from 2008 at Club Mission’s Tokyo. In both gigs the band’s masterpiece, the prodigious track “Living Legend” is given a sanguine outing. It really is a chance to uncover Genocide in all their glory and get a raw taste of their exhilarating talent.
What do I like about Genocide?
Well they are everything I crave about Heavy Metal, a ravenous demonic fusion of NWOBHM, archetype 1970s/80s metal yet original innovative and delivered with flawless precision and impassioned rigor. Black Sanctuary is such a recording ascendancy in the classic sense, it enjoys all the attributes – transcendent vocals, preeminent guitars and superior rhythm.
Five Unholy Stars of unrivaled virtuosity
Genocide (Nippon)’s album ‘Destroy and Hell’ is a CD/DVD package released in Japan only on the 413Tracks label but easily obtained beyond those shores via the likes of HMV Japan and other online Record peddlers, you would boost your spirits by kicking off 2010 in a most agreeable fashion, just dare to taste the double trouble of unwonted audio-visual ambrosia that is the CD/DVD set.
Keep up the good work Jimmy. I love the reviews. Seems you’ve got a bit of a fetish for Japanese metal bands. Can’t say I disagree. There’s plenty to like. I’ll get the missus to buy me this as a belated Xmas gift. Cheers.
Mick – Thank you very much. My fetish for Japanese Metal is unbound!
Good idea on getting the wife to buy you the Genocide release – you’ll thoroughly enjoy the 160mins of footage on the DVD disc.
Have a good Xmas and all the best for 2010