As we countdown to the release of Kreator’s forthcoming album, Gods of Violence, we will take a look back at the discography of German thrash icons. Beginning life as a trio in Essen, they went through a number of names, including Tyrant and Tormentor, before settling on their now legendary moniker. A three part retrospective, we begin by focusing on what is considered their classic thrash period with Noise Records.
Endless Pain (1985)
Kreator’s humble beginnings began with 1985’s Endless Pain. A primitive slab of thrash that drew inspiration from the likes of Slayer and Venom, it’s raw, abrasive nature proved influential for a number of black metal bands. At the time, Kreator utilised a two pronged vocal assault, with drummer Ventor’s barbaric roar leading the odd numbered tracks and Mille’s raspy tone the even numbered songs. Despite the song writing being a bit basic and the performances a little sloppy, there’s still plenty of great music on offer, including two tracks that would go on to become concert staples (“Tormentor” and “Flag of Hate”). Whilst not up to the quality of the band’s other classic era albums, Endless Pain is not to be missed.
Rating: 8/10
Highlights: “Flag of Hate”, “Bone Breaker”, “Dying Victims”
Pleasure to Kill (1986)
Released in what is considered a golden year for thrash, Pleasure to Kill more than holds its own when going toe to toe with the likes of Master of Puppets and Reign in Blood. 39 minutes of relentless thrash fury, it is Kreator at their most savage, with song after song smashing like a battering ram. The performances are still somewhat sloppy, yet that only makes the music more vicious, with Rob Fioretti’s pulsing bass pushed front and centre. The song writing had improved substantially in the 13 months since their debut, with better riffs and more dynamic song structures. The title track has gone on to become one of the band’s signature songs, but in truth, you can’t go wrong with any track on this record. A landmark album in thrash, Pleasure to Kill is essential listening for anyone with an interest in extreme metal.
Rating: 9/10
Highlights: “Ripping Corpse”, “Pleasure to Kill”, “Under the Guillotine”
Terrible Certainty (1987)
Perched in the middle of Kreator’s classic period, Terrible Certainty served as the transitional album bridging their crude thrash of the mid ’80s with the more restrained material (comparatively speaking) of the late ’80s/early ’90s. There’s greater complexity in riffing structure and drum patterns, with “Toxic Trace” seeing Mille veer into more socio-political lyrical themes for the first time. The introduction of guitarist Tritze made the band a four piece, although his lead work does little to differentiate itself from Mille’s solos from the two prior records. Again, the title track has gone on to become the go to song from the album, although the frenzied gallop of “Storming with Menace” certainly gives it a run for its money. An album that sometimes gets a little lost in the shuffle, Terrible Certainty still delivers great songs and superb riffs.
Rating: 9/10
Highlights: “Storming with Menace”, “Terrible Certainty”, “One of Us”
Extreme Aggression (1989)
Not quite as furious as the title suggests, Kreator’s fourth full length still packs a punch. Featuring their sleekest production yet, the album saw the band tighten up their performances and compositions into their most accessible material at the time. The melodies are more palatable than the disharmonic traces found in their previous albums, with the fine lead work sounding more thought out than the chaotic runs of prior years. Ventor relinquishes his vocal work completely with this album; instead concentrating on being a rhythmic sledgehammer that underpins the barrage of intense riffery. A fantastic record that has no real weak spots, Extreme Aggression saw Kreator go four for four and set them up for their monumental magnum opus in 1990.
Rating: 9/10
Hightlights: “Extreme Aggressions”, “Some Pain Will Last”, “Betrayer”
Coma of Souls (1990)
Well… here it is. Not just Kreator’s best album, but also the greatest thrash album of all time (and perhaps the greatest of any metal genre, to these ears at least). A five star riff-fest that never lets up, Coma of Souls pummels you into submission with song after song of dextrous fret board work outs, dynamic compositions and precise, clinical drumming. New axeman Frank Blackfire, previously of compatriots Sodom, dazzles with some of his lead work, seamlessly trading solos with the ever improving Petrozza, whose vocal delivery is dripping with venom. Not a single second is wasted, not one note is superfluous; everything is nailed to perfection. Coma of Souls is a flawless marriage of melody and brutality; a delicate balance that many still try (and fail) to match. Quite simply, an album that should be in the collection of every metal fan.
Rating: 10/10
Highlight: The whole damn thing.
Be sure to keep an eye out for parts two and three in the coming days and weeks.
