Despair

Despair was a German thrash metal band formed in 1986 in Dortmund, known for delivering intense and technical thrash over their brief but impactful career. The band’s original lineup included vocalist Robert Kampf and guitarist Waldemar Sorychta, with their debut album *History of Hate* released in 1988. Shortly after, Kampf left to focus on founding Century Media Records, and Andreas Henschel took over vocals for their critically acclaimed 1990 album *Decay of Humanity*. Their final album, *Beyond All Reason* (1992), saw Sorychta stepping up as producer and delivering a fierce blend of thrash and traditional heavy metal before the band split up. Despite their relatively short run, Despair remains respected for their tight musicianship and contribution to the late '80s/early '90s German thrash scene.

If you're into classic thrash metal with a solid pedigree, Despair’s catalog—especially *Beyond All Reason*—is definitely worth a listen. Their work showcases a powerful, no-frills approach to thrash, with compelling riffs and intense energy that still resonates with fans today.