The great benefit of a live album following the release of three albums and two EPs is that, by that stage, any band worth their salt should have at least a live album worth of excellent tracks at their disposal. Having had years to hone songs on the live front and learning which songs audiences respond best to is an added bonus - a bonus that ensures more often than not, live albums feature a very appealing selection of 'greatest hits' sure to please the vast majority of fans. When a band like Destruction (who in my mind hadn't really put a foot wrong by 1989..save a few minor decent-but-not-amazing moments on 'Mad Butcher' [EP] and 'Release From Agony') decides a live album is in order, a completely random selection of tracks would be enough to win me over but expectedly, I share many favourite tracks with whoever it was that ultimately determined what would make it on to 'Live Without Sense'.

Presented in delicious gatefold vinyl format, complete with a returning Mad Butcher illustration worthy of the price of admission alone and also baring killer internal and rear artwork (no copping out and simply using a boring live photo for these lads!) not to mention dates of the entire 'Release From Agony' tour, 'Live Without Sense' is an almost-hour long smörgåsbord of German Thrash at its best. 'Curse The Gods' is the first song to grace the album and it's apparent quite quickly this is one heavy, well-mixed recording and that Destruction have intensified and refined their material aptly. I shouldn't need to say just how appropriate an opener 'Curse The Gods' is, slowly building atmosphere as the crowd cheers are drowned by restrained guitars, bass and drums out before the holy riffs of Mike Sifringer let rip about 1:10 in, and are instantaneously joined by galloping drums. Setting the tone and pace for the entire recording, I wouldn't have picked any other track to open. Every falsetto shriek, razor-sharp riff and thumping drum beat sounds great. The trend of excellence continues as 'Unconscious Ruins', 'Thrash Attack' , 'Invincible Force' and 'Dissatisfied Existence' provide the meat of the first half of the record and also a taste of the crowd during intros and outros.

'Reject Emotions' comes in at position number six and stands out as the longest sole track on the record at 6:29. Two minutes of soloing surely help that. More sweeping guitar wankery ensues for the first two minutes of 'Eternal Ban' before the track truly kicks off in impacting style. Following that, the unmistakable, utterly popular EP-titled 'Mad Butcher', then on to 'Life Without Sense', 'In The Mood' (brief cover), fresh off 'Release From Agony', its title track before the menacing 'Bestial Nation' wraps up the record as enjoyably as it commenced.

*Note: This review is of the SPV gatefold vinyl edition. Apparently other versions feature a slightly different track list*

On 'Live Without Sense' Destruction are precise, energetic and at their peak. The mix is perfectly balanced, the track list is as satisfying as it is pleasurable. If only 'Total Devastation' made the set, this album would be damn near perfect.