Destruction is a German thrash metal band formed in 1982 in Weil am Rhein. The band was founded by bassist and vocalist Schmier (Marcel Schirmer), guitarist Mike Sifringer, and drummer Tommy Sandmann.

Destruction is considered one of the key bands of the German thrash metal scene, alongside groups such as Kreator, Sodom, and Tankard, which together shaped the distinctive and aggressive sound of the genre during the 1980s.

The band first gained significant attention with the EP Sentence of Death, while their debut album Infernal Overkill established their position on the European metal scene. The album Eternal Devastation is considered one of the most important releases in the history of thrash metal and brought the band international recognition.

During the 1990s, the band went through lineup changes and shifts in musical direction, but in the early 2000s they returned to a strong thrash metal sound, once again attracting audiences worldwide. Destruction is known for fast riffs, aggressive vocals, and energetic live performances that have made them one of the longest-lasting bands on the European metal scene.

With more than four decades of career behind them, Destruction remains one of the most important representatives of German thrash metal and a band that has significantly influenced the development of extreme metal music worldwide.