Artist: KREATOR
Album: GODS OF VIOLENCE 180G REPRINT VINYL (2LP BLACK)

Year: 2017/ 2023
EAN/UPS: 727361372514
Media type: LP

- KREATOR have perfected the fusion of classic Heavy Metal and Thrash Metal [!]


One thing‘s for sure: There aren‘t many bands with a history as long and eventful as KREATOR‘s, who fascinatingly succeed in exploring new horizons while challenging and reinventing themselves time and again, resulting in high impact results - as is perfectly illustrated by their new record »Gods Of Violence« (out on January 27, 2017). With this 14th studio album of their impressive career, the thrashers from Essen, Germany have crafted a work of art of utmost vigor, drawing its unfailing power from the pounding heart of one of the greatest, most versatile metal bands of all time. »Gods Of Violence« lives and breathes!

As is often the case, it all started with a good idea. KREATOR mastermind Mille Petrozza had followed the latest news with growing concern. Especially the November 2015 Paris attacks made him realize that there had to be a continuum of human malevolence, running like a thread through the ages, from ancient times up to the present day. These thoughts led Petrozza to interlocking current events with tales from Greek mythology, eventuating in the song »Gods Of Violence« that was consequently chosen as the album‘s name giver. “Currently, religion has regained a level of importance that I would have never considered possible 20 years ago,” Mille states. “An extremely dangerous polarization is taking place, giving rise to growing hate among us all. That‘s what I wanted to write about.”

Like this, a key note of the album was found that is also reflected in the sheer brutality of 'World War Now', among others. The song‘s deriving from the observation that we‘re in the middle of a World War III of sorts, but not in the way we‘ve always feared: A-bomb dropped, humanity wiped out. “These days, our weapons of mass destruction are called hatred and religious delusion,” says Petrozza. It‘s a vertical war, being fought by the media as well as by fanatics of all shades.

KREATOR are aware of the risk a long career like theirs involves. Challenging and improving themselves, not living in the past - that‘s the main source of their unabated impact. Ensuring all this also bears testimony to the strong team spirit connecting all band members. Although Mille may act as KREATOR‘s figurehead, he affirms: “We only work as a band!” In fact, one with clear-cut functional division: Bassist “Speesy” Giesler is of great assistance when it comes to organizational matters, “Ventor” Reil brings the beat and all kinds of other stuff - and guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö is the “musical genius,” as Mille puts it. “While the rest of us are self-taught, Sami is a musician to the core, who has already played concerts in opera houses.”

It all comes down to this: Mille builds the base frame which his band mates fill with their ideas and visions. “A band works like a living organism,” he explains. “I‘m a big fan of consistent line-ups. You‘ve got to be honest with each other, should not avoid conflict and must be able to set your ego aside every now and then. We‘re a team.” This concept of friendship is reflected in 'Hail To The Hordes', featuring IN EXTREMO‘s bagpiper Boris Peifer - Mille‘s very own ode to amity, so to speak. “It‘s a song against superficiality and for sticking together in hard times.”

According to Petrozza - a cosmopolitan at heart - his sticking to the West German Ruhr area should not be interpreted as localistic commitment though. Still, the city of Essen remains the center of KREATOR‘s universe, where Mille is taking care of all band business to this day. “I‘m a bit of a control freak,” he admits with a wink. “But seriously, I don‘t mind doing it. Why would I want to lead a stupid rock star life anyway, snoozing until noon every day and not doing much else? I‘m an active person who enjoys working. In fact, I don‘t even consider it work. I keep the show rolling, simple as that.”

Keeping the show rolling: That‘s all it‘s been about since 1985. And in this respect, German thrash metal icons KREATOR have succeeded big-time with »Gods Of Violence«!


2LP (180g, 33 RPM):

Side A:
01. Apocalypticon
02. World War Now
03. Satan Is Real
04. Totalitarian Terror

Side B:
01. Gods Of Violence
02. Army Of Storms

Side C:
01. Hail To The Hordes
02. Lion With Eagle Wings
03. Fallen Brother

Side D:
01. Side By Side
02. Death Becomes My Light

LINE-UP:

Mille Petrozza | vocals, guitars
Sami Yli-Sirniö | guitars
Christian Giesler | bass
Ventor | drums