As a layperson in a music genre, I am pleased when I can rely on well-known brands that stand for quality. KREATOR fulfills this role for Pott-Thrash-Metal, and for years the band has enjoyed a good reputation among punks and hardcore fans thanks to their openness to bands from related genres.
The good news: The current album has everything I love about thrash metal. And a bit of what I don't like so much. But let's take it step by step. After a moody intro referencing Italian Westerns, the title track kicks in quickly and brutally. It starts astonishingly similar to SLAYER's "Angel Of Death," including the animalistic scream at the beginning, double bass inferno, and staccato vocals. Coincidence? Doesn't matter. That's how it should be. Of course, this is not a cover band; they clearly have their own style, more melody and pathos, they just use the most effective stylistic elements with routine. Thanks to the more modern production, it hits much harder than a record from the '80s.
Continuing with the same fury in the song "Killer of Jesus." When you order metal, you almost always get a confrontation with Christianity served. Biblical gibberish, yes, probably Christians will again be accused of their hypocrisy, at least I don't recognize the childish devil-worship of some metalheads here. I can't say that this particularly interests me in 21st century Germany, especially since I don't understand what the lyrics are trying to convey.
Moving on at half tempo, the underlying theme is that people do a lot of bad things: to other people, to nature, etc. But of course, you listen to this music mainly for the rapid guitar riffs, and it never gets boring. Personally, I don't particularly like it when the songs take on a march-like character like "Crush The Tyrants" and "Strongest of the Strong." I'd rather have a nostalgic song in 6/8 time with choirs like "Become Immortal." Overall, great teenage angst: "1984, I hate the sun."
"Midnight Sun" is a special song, with a subdued basic tempo, but a constant tension created by grinding guitars and bass drum carpets, over which the ethereal gothic vocals of guest Sofia Portanet float. It definitely sticks with you.
The piece "Dying Planet" forms an outstanding conclusion. The theme becomes clear quickly, but fortunately, we don't have any unbearable '70s environmental rock like NECRONOMICON here. Instead, there's a jagged song structure that fittingly conjures up the impending apocalypse caused by human ignorance and greed. Please play this for all governments until climate goals are achieved. Thank you.
A hearty overall package, this album, which can also be enjoyed in one go. And one more great thing about it: For the first time in this type of music, someone sings the word "Über" who can pronounce it correctly. Listen up, JELLO BIAFRA! "Über," not "Uber"! Argh!
