As a highly respected household name in the metal community for over 20 years, the release of a new Kreator album is a true event. Having been on the leading edge of the thrash metal revolution, these German legends have ... more »amassed a body of work that has become mandatory listening for any discerning metal fan. The new album, Enemy Of God, contains every bit of the vicious edge, acidic lyric, and undeniably strong songwriting skills that have earned them endless praise from around the world. As a new generation of metal bands continue their rise in America (Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, etc.) the enduring influence of Kreator and their peers has never been more astoundingly clear. The leaders have returned!« less
As a highly respected household name in the metal community for over 20 years, the release of a new Kreator album is a true event. Having been on the leading edge of the thrash metal revolution, these German legends have amassed a body of work that has become mandatory listening for any discerning metal fan. The new album, Enemy Of God, contains every bit of the vicious edge, acidic lyric, and undeniably strong songwriting skills that have earned them endless praise from around the world. As a new generation of metal bands continue their rise in America (Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, etc.) the enduring influence of Kreator and their peers has never been more astoundingly clear. The leaders have returned!
"For those like myself I miss the glory days of Thrash Metal, or more defined, just straight-up killer Thrash Metal. Be it Bay Area Thrash(Exodus, Vio-lence), Canadian Thrash (Annihilator, Razor), Brazilian Blackend-Thrash(Vulcano, early Sepultura), or German Thrash (Destruction, Kreator, Sodom)...I love it with all of my blackened heart. The later of these scenes has given us some classic albums. And it has done so again with Kreator's "Enemy Of God." It has been called upon at a time when Nu-Metal has taken it's last breath and Hot Topic/Ozzfest/Headgiver's 'Nu' Ball has replaced it, forcefully shoving god-awful Metalcore music down our throats and expected it us to accept it. A new genre of music used to replace the dead Nu-Metal Trend. Catering to the masses given it it's sneer and claimage to 'street' and such. But those such as me and those who truly keep the faith of real Heavy Metal nknow the difference. This is our rallying cry against the fashion-obsessed kids with 'emotional' lyrics, faux screams, and wacky haircuts that are parted to the side.
THIS IS THRASH F'NG METAL. IT'S TIME TO DIE!!!
Kreator are a legend, and "Enemy Of God" helps seal that title with every tempo-twisting riffs, double-kick jolting, headbanging moment. Here you won't find any of the 'emotional'or even 'heartfelt' crud. None of this false 'hardcore' or even the always ripped-off Gothenburg riffs. NONE OF THAT. This is straight-up German Thrash Metal. It's in-your-face, it's down-right brutal, with lyrics about real-life violence, murder and Biblical fates. And does it make one want to smash the faces of poseurs in a brick wall.
Song-wise Kreator have finally reached where they left-off with their 1990 classic "Coma of Souls." But much like "Coma Of Souls," "Enemy Of God" is like a skilled fighter that takes it time with taking time beating you senseless, and then delivering it's merciless final blow. Staring off the album thrashing, and raging like no other band can do the title track, "Impossible Brutality,"(It's the same groove taken from Slayer's "Skeletons Of Society" off 'Seasons In The Abyss".) and "Suicide Terrorist" deliver a good pounds to the rib-cage. Then a killer upper-cut with the next two song. "World Anarchy" starts off with a blood-curling scream that only Mille can pull-off. The riffs are nothing less that BRUTAL! There are heavy riffs, and there are riffs that make Slayer cry themselves to sleep. Kreator are not afraid to use those devastationg riffs. About 2:34 it cuts into a really melodic and soft-spoken part and then.....BAM! ARRRRGGGHHHHH!!! Mille screams "TOTAL CHAOS!!!" YESS!!! THRASH LIKE YOU'VE NEVER THRASH BEFORE YOU WORTHLESS CRETINS!!! The anthemic "Dystopia" continutes the brutality in good fashion. But like their previous album, their return to proper form after their mediocre 90's material "Violent Revolution"; it does have a small dip in where it does slow down a bit to let one catch their breath. "Voice Of The Dead" starts off with a nice acoustic piece and then into a killer galloping Maiden-esque riff(Don't confuse it with Gothenburg bands!)that would make the brummies themselves raise a pint. "Murder Fantasies" has a killer scream-along chorus chant "I WANT TO KILL YOU, TAKE AWAY YOUR LIFE!!!" ""When Death Take's It Dominion" features a slightly more technical riffing but continues the headbanging nonetheless. "One Evil Comes-A Million Follow" follows in the same fashion. After what seemed like a tedious moment in the album, it then picks right back up with "Dying Race Apocalypse." Again starting-off with a nice, but longer acoustic bit at 0:40 it kicks in with the the guitars and what definately is, in my opinion, the best track off "Enemy Of God." Ventor's double-bass is triggered, but who cares? It owns. "Under A Total Blackened Sky" is pretty much the same song but with a different tile. Not that it's a bad thing, because as long as it keeps up the momentum...more of it then I say. After eleven tracks "Enemy Of God" ends with it's final, epic delivery. What is the epic moment? It lies within the mastered melodic riffs starting at 4:30 and then builds up, and keeps building up until Mille screams with every blood cell in his veins..."AND SATAN IS HIS NAME!!!!" With such such a moment, you are then left with two things: A moment to raise your devil horns so high that it reaches the heavens and defiles everything that is holy. And one hell of an album.
Kreator have achieved what others have tried, but failed miserably. Kreator have conquered where others have retreated. Kreator have truly forced terror back into Metal more-so than the immature, Hot Topic-loving Slayer's God LUVZ Us All." Kreator wipes their rear-ends with Failtallica's "St. Anus." Not forgetting the ones who have kep the faith strong...Destruction's "The Antichrist" pushed for the true alligence of old-school bands to come back with their metallic onslaught. Exodus proved why they were ALWAYS the true kings of Bay Area-Thrash with their come-back "Tempo of The Damned." With much and many kudos faithfully given to those two bands, Kreator now has thrown down it's spiked gauntlet and drawn the line in the sand. You're either one of the true Metalheads, or you're sleeping in the commercial bed of the wretched Metalcore. Plain and simple.
This ain't no lamb of god, this is ENEMY OF GOD!!"
A real metal masterpiece for the new milennium
N. Durham | Philadelphia, PA | 05/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The above tagline has been attached to recent works by bands such as Killswitch Engage, Atreyu, Trivium, etc., when it really deserves to go to Kreator's "Enemy of God". After spending the last few years in an experimental phase, Kreator return with a brutal and crushing real thrash album that recalls the glory days of Slayer and Megadeth. Kreator has never sounded better than they do here, with the songs themselves more complex in their structure and the lyrics providing actual insight instead of constant screaming. The opening title track is an instant classic, while "World Anarchy", "Dystopia", "Voices of the Dead", and "Dying Race Apocalypse" are some of the best material this band has ever created. Forget the pretenders flooding the metal market today, Kreator is the real deal, and "Enemy of God" is the true metal masterpiece of the new milennium."
Great Thrash, you have to hand it to Mille Petrozza...
Zander Haberstaft | Miami, Florida | 01/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As other reviewers have illuded to, this album may be better than earlier Kreator albums because with the exception of "Ventor" all the instruments have gotten better over the years. Most importantly, Kreator has learned to write a really good, well put together song.
After spending almost a decade in non-Thrash, experimental areas of metal, Kreator have returned with a Thrash album that amazingly doesn't sound rehashed. All the riffs are really amazing and most importantly, they're memorable. Former albums like Endless Pain and Pleasure to Kill, Terrible Certainty, and Extreme Aggression all sounded good and had a lot of fury at the time, but all of them except for Pleasure to Kill were just run-of-the-mill Thrash songs.
This is rare but I don't think there is a song that I don't like. You know how there is always that one song on the album that you think is really lame? It's not here...And even though the music is Thrash it never ceases to be interesting, always being creative.
The production is really good for this album and it shows that they spent a lot of time on the editing. The guitars are definitely the highlighted instrument of the album. Great guitar work, complicated but furious with tons of aggression. The vocalist, Mille Petrozza, sounds more possessed than ever screaming the ideological lyrics. The best thing is that his voice hasn't changed much if at all. The bass is non-existent for most of the album (if there even is one) and all the better. (I mean come on, this ain't Forced Entry here!) The drumming is good, especially the opening fill on "Impossible Brutality" and the break in "Enemy of God". As a drummer, I can listen and appreciate all the beats.
If you loved stuff like Nuclear Assault, Slayer, Megadeth, Sodom, Destruction, Coroner, Exodus, Heathen, Sadus, D.R.I., Hirax, Anthrax, Whiplash etc. prepare to get you #ss kicked. The old days may be over but in the same way this CD sounds "so old" yet "so new". Yes, this album is that good. Better than any of the other Thrash bands that came out with albums in 2004. Get IT NOW!"
Best Kreator Ever...
Winter-Fell | Okanogan, WA United States | 01/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Enemy of God is by far the best cd ever released by Kreator. Not a single sub-par, filler, or even slightly weak track on the album. The songs are more or less a combination of all the different Kreator sounds from their entire career. Everything from the aggression and technical aspects of the early work, to the more experimental sounds of Outcast and Endorama. I bought this cd after I heard the title track, and although it is still my favorite, the others are just as good.
Enemy of God (12/10) - In my opinion, the best song on the cd. A fantastic opener that never lets up. Great song to sing along with. It feels like it has three choruses, but really only one. A very epic sound, and great solos and lyrics.
Impossible Brutality (10/10) - This song reminds me alot of the Violent Revolution album. Mid-paced song with a great chorus and intelligent lyrics.
Suicide Terrorist (9/10) - This one will grow on you quickly. Direct and to the point. No fat whatsoever.
World Anarchy (9/10) - I would give this 10/10, but it reminds me a bit too much of the title track. A great, fast song with, again, very good lyrics.
Dystopia (10/10) - A perfect example of why Kreator is the greatest thrash band around. The chorus reminds me of the work on Outcast. One of my favorites on the cd.
Voices of the Dead (11/10) - Mille tries something a little different on this song and it sounds great. Extremely catchy. Not poppy, mind you, by any means, just catchy. "Tonight I hear you whisper deep inside my head!" Just a great song...
Murder Fantasies (10/10) - Sounds like Extreme Aggression! Features a guest guitar solo from Michael Ammott (Arch Enemy, Carcass). Enough said.
When Death Makes It's Dominion (8/10) - Another mid-paced thrasher similar to Impossible Brutality. I love the breakdown before the chorus.
One Evil Comes, A Million Follow (9/10) - Again, very much reminds me of Outcast. Think Phobia, but more melodic.
Dying Race Apocalypse (12/10) - Just a hair behind Enemy of God as my favorite song on the album. Awsome acoustic guitar intro followed by the heaviest, most lyrically intense song on the cd.
Under a Total Blackened Sky (10/10) - Save some of the best for last. An amazing piece of thrash brutality.
The Ancient Plague (11/10) - This song also has a very epic feel to it. Great lyrics, leads, riffs...everything perfect. There are spoken word parts that add an infinite amount of depth to the song. "A savior appears, in a red mask in front of me... And Satan is his name!"
Overall, this is one of the most amazing albums I've heard in a really long time. Great musicianship, lyrics, structure and perfect production (Andy Sneap). Get the digipak version with the bonus DVD. It includes making of footage and interviews for both the album and the Impossible Brutality video, as well as live footage of Phobia, Violent Revolution and the video clip for Impossible Brutality. Oh, the packaging and artwork are both great as well. With this release, Kreator has just crushed all the pathetic bands that are trying to market their watered-down MtV metal to unsuspecting victims (Slipknot, LoG, KsE, etc.) Kreator once again shows everyone how real metal is done. If anyone surpases this release in 2005, better yet in the next 5 years, I'll be extremely impressed.