I don't think that you can have a conversation about thrash metal without talking about the thrash metal legends from Deutschland, the almighty KREATOR. Ever since their legendary debut album Endless Pain in 1985, Kreator have released a consistent slew of classic albums, with their second album Pleasure To Kill from 1986 being considered one of the fastest albums ever recorded, and one of the greatest thrash records ever, and was a huge influence on the up bringing of death metal. In June 2012, the band released their thirteenth studio album, which I as well as many others believe is their most epic and finest album to date, entitled Phantom Antichrist.
The album was recorded in Sweden and was produced by Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who is best known for his work with Amon Amarth, Devin Townsend Project, Iron Mask, Opeth, Bloodbath, and Soilwork among others. It has an amazing mix of a classic thrash metal sound as well as a lot of melodic moments. I believe personally that mixing the brutal thrash metal sound with melodicism really works well.
The album's opener "Mars Mantra" is a short set-up instrumental that is a slow-paced track with some melodic riffs. We then get into the title track, which is a straight-up, brutal assault of thrash. Vocalist Mille Petrozza delivers some fast vocals in the verses and features drummer Jurgen Reil's best drumming on the album. The album's fourth track "From Flood Into Fire" has a huge epic sounding chorus that sort of feels like the chorus in "Run To The Hills", which is a new step for Kreator, and has a short fast moment after the second chorus with a furious ripping guitar solo.
The sixth track "United In Hate" has a beautiful acoustic intro, which is also a new step for the band, before it bursts into a nuclear storm of intense thrash. Other tracks on the album include "Death To The World", "Civilization Collapse", and "Victory Will Come". These are tracks that so many fans of intense speed will enjoy. The intro of "Civilization Collapse" almost reminds us of the intro to "Indians" by Anthrax. It starts off with a pounding drum pattern with a melodic riff over top of the drum pattern before bursting into a fast thrash attack.
For those who love the mid-paced headbangers, check out the songs "Your Heaven, My Hell" and "The Few, The Proud, The Broken". I happen to really love it when a song is mid-paced and has the same aggression as the fast songs do. Mille delivers some hooky vocals over top the brutal hooky riffs in both songs and it's easy to just bang your head from start to finish.
As we all know, thrash isn't always about just pure speed and brutality, it's about aggression and the musicianship. Kreator have put out an album where they've successfully blended their brutal classic thrash sound from their earlier records such as Endless Pain, Pleasure To Kill and Extreme Aggression, with the modern and melodic elements found on their more experimental albums likeRenewal and Endorama.
All I can say is Phantom Antichrist is the best album Kreator ever made and it has a safe spot in my list of the top records of 2012. Buy this album if you are a fan of thrash.
-Alex
The album was recorded in Sweden and was produced by Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who is best known for his work with Amon Amarth, Devin Townsend Project, Iron Mask, Opeth, Bloodbath, and Soilwork among others. It has an amazing mix of a classic thrash metal sound as well as a lot of melodic moments. I believe personally that mixing the brutal thrash metal sound with melodicism really works well.
The album's opener "Mars Mantra" is a short set-up instrumental that is a slow-paced track with some melodic riffs. We then get into the title track, which is a straight-up, brutal assault of thrash. Vocalist Mille Petrozza delivers some fast vocals in the verses and features drummer Jurgen Reil's best drumming on the album. The album's fourth track "From Flood Into Fire" has a huge epic sounding chorus that sort of feels like the chorus in "Run To The Hills", which is a new step for Kreator, and has a short fast moment after the second chorus with a furious ripping guitar solo.
The sixth track "United In Hate" has a beautiful acoustic intro, which is also a new step for the band, before it bursts into a nuclear storm of intense thrash. Other tracks on the album include "Death To The World", "Civilization Collapse", and "Victory Will Come". These are tracks that so many fans of intense speed will enjoy. The intro of "Civilization Collapse" almost reminds us of the intro to "Indians" by Anthrax. It starts off with a pounding drum pattern with a melodic riff over top of the drum pattern before bursting into a fast thrash attack.
For those who love the mid-paced headbangers, check out the songs "Your Heaven, My Hell" and "The Few, The Proud, The Broken". I happen to really love it when a song is mid-paced and has the same aggression as the fast songs do. Mille delivers some hooky vocals over top the brutal hooky riffs in both songs and it's easy to just bang your head from start to finish.
As we all know, thrash isn't always about just pure speed and brutality, it's about aggression and the musicianship. Kreator have put out an album where they've successfully blended their brutal classic thrash sound from their earlier records such as Endless Pain, Pleasure To Kill and Extreme Aggression, with the modern and melodic elements found on their more experimental albums likeRenewal and Endorama.
All I can say is Phantom Antichrist is the best album Kreator ever made and it has a safe spot in my list of the top records of 2012. Buy this album if you are a fan of thrash.
-Alex
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