KREATOR
“Hate Über Alles”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

10/10

Kreator are a thrash metal band from Germany forming in 1982, spearheading the emergence of German thrash metal, along with Destruction, Sodom and Tankard – later to become known as The Teutonic Four. These four bands pioneered a brutal, aggressive and raw, in your face style of thrash that set the world alight, creating a path for many more thrash bands to follow. Kreator released their debut album in 1984, – releasing fifteen studio albums over a staggering forty year career. The bands fifteenth (and most recent) album ‘Hate Über Alles’ was released in 2022…

…and features the band in fantastic form. Kreator have lost none of their aggressive brutality as they power through the eleven songs on offer in forty five ferociously furious minutes. Kreator’s previous album ‘Gods Of Violence’ (2017) debuted at number one in the German charts – so the bands new album has a lot to live up to! And I reckon it just might… ‘Hate Über Alles’ (the album) explodes into life with the lightning quick title song ‘Hate Über Alles’ – resonating with Kreator’s trademark aggression and speed. Lead singer Mille Petrozza’s vocals are as venomous as ever, snarling and sneering with the utmost menace. A simply breath taking opening salvo is followed quickly by the equally fast and aggressive ‘Killer Of Jesus’ – hell, maybe even a bit quicker! The relentless thrash metal attack from the band is incredible, proving exactly why they are regarded as one of the premier thrash bands in the world…ever! Not content to ride the wave of past achievements, Kreator continue to create bold, brash, and exciting thrash.

The brakes are hit hard and the lightning pace of the opening double is dropped down a couple gears in favour of a menacing heavy foot stomp, courtesy of the sinister sounding ‘Crush The Tyrants’. The aggression level remains high as Kreator shudder the ground as they march on with a purpose and intent full of heaviness. Pace didn’t stay away for too long though, the band upping the ante with ‘Strongest Of The Strong’ – a glorious meld of traditional, and thrash metal. Adding an anthemic “foot on the monitor” feel, Kreator have created a stunning genre breaker, attractive to fans from a wide array of metal preferences. Amazing! Remaining in the genre breaker zone, ‘Become Immortal’ is a much heavier traditional come thrash metaller – the band showing their aptitude to produce a diverse and dynamic range of metal. And it’s this range that makes Kreator one of the best in the business. Breakneck speed makes an emphatic return to the album in the shape of ‘Conquer And Destroy’ – with the song changing gears and tempo right from the start to its finish. And now for one of the albums most diverse moments, ‘Midnight Sun’ – featuring female vocals, courtesy of German singer Sofia Portanet. Not content with sitting in the normal thrash metal zone, Kreator broaden their horizons even further. mixing vocal styles, mood, and atmosphere. The core sound of ‘Midnight Sun’ remains thrashy, with the band moving a little in the direction of progressive metal. Certainly an ear opening moment.

The band are back in familiar territory for ‘Demonic Future’ – the fastest of all songs on offer! The pace and aggression is classic Kreator, the band showing a clean pair of heels as they storm on at full tilt. ‘Demonic Future’ is one of those muscle tearing neck breakers that’ll have emergency services stocking up on extra painkilling medication! And now for a little something that doesn’t happen too often – clean vocals from Mille! And only for a twenty second passage during the intro to ‘Pride Comes Before The Fall’. After which his trademark snarling growl returns and the band are off and thrashing as hard as ever. ‘Hate Über Alles’ (the album) has been a vigorous aural attack, swinging from out and out thrash, to a wander ’round the traditional heavy metal genre. And for the albums final hurrah – a seven minute epic! ‘Dying Planet’ adopting a goose bump bearing menacing sound. The mid tempo, very heavy foot stomping attitude of ‘Dying Planet’ is loaded with sinister intentions, invoking an air of fear as it marches on past.

Overall, fast and aggressive thrash come traditional metal from one of the worlds greatest ever thrash metal bands.

TRACKLIST

Sergio Corbucci Is Dead
Hate über alles
Killer Of Jesus
Crush The Tyrants
Strongest Of The Strong
Become Immortal
Conquer And Destroy
Midnight Sun
Demonic Future
Pride Comes Before The Fall
Dying Planet

http://www.kreator-terrorzone.de/
https://www.facebook.com/KreatorOfficial/

This review is the property of Iron Mathew and Metal Gods TV. It is strictly prohibited to copy any part of this review, unless you have both of the parties’ permission, or are the band/record label/PR company in question. Failure to adhere to these instructions will be considered as Plagiarism and you will be reported to the appropriate authorities

---