In the spring of 2012, Warbeast hunkered down to record Destroy with legendary Pantera and Down frontman and label founder Philip H. Anselmo behind the board. While locked in Anselmo’s studio,Nodferatu’s Lair, they set their sights on upping the ante across the board from their 2010 Housecore Records debut, Krush The Enemy.

“This album is simply meaner and heavier than our first,” affirms Corbitt. “We’ve managed to keep the variety we had, but we allowed ourselves more freedom to go beyond the traditional songwriting patterns. It’s less predictable. We’ve evolved as a band, and Destroy proves it.”

In addition to pulverizing riffs, pummeling double bass, and powerful leads, the singer focused on lyrically tackling different topics and delivering them via razor sharp hooks.

“I just wanted to write about a wide range of subjects and emotions. Topics include everything from werewolves and humans warring with aliens to national disasters and a robotic monster calledWarbeast. There’s also a track called ‘Egotistical Bastards,’ which could be about many people I know,” he laughs.

The record also sees the group’s lineup solidified with the addition of Karst on bass replacing original bassist Alan Bovee and Shelby assuming the bulk of the six-string writing after the exit of previous guitarist Rick Perry two years prior.

“There were no restraints,” Shelby admits. “Everybody stepped it up, and we’re all on the same page. We’re more focused now, and the connection we have is incredible.”

The live show proves equally impressive. They’ve already massacred crowds alongside the likes of Down, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Gwar, Every Time I Die, Cavalera Conspiracy, Destruction, Goatwhore, OTEP, and countless others. With numerous tours on the horizon, they’ll undoubtedly be slaying cities everywhere. About the live show, Shelby smiles, “We always like to attack the audience with our songs and move them. That’s our approach as soon as we hit the stage.”

Building up to the release of Destroy, two Warbeast tracks “It” and “Birth of a Psycho” share a split with Anselmo’s solo material entitled, War of the Gargantuas. It’s only a prelude of what’s to come though.

The group remains entrenched in thrash’s legacy, while furthering its future. Formed in 2006 and counting Rigor Mortis, Gammacide, and Demonseed among their sonic genealogy, the members have been respectively doling out crushing music for over two decades. That’s precisely why Warbeast sound so alive on Destroy.

At the end of the day, it’s about unmitigated destruction for these five individuals. “I want people to feel like they’ve been hit with a sledgehammer ten times in a row when they hear this,” concludes Corbitt. “As long as they feel strongly about, we’ve accomplished our mission.” — Rick Florino, July 2012