Together with Sodom, Destruction and Tankard, German thrash legends Kreator make up the Big 4 of Teutonic thrash metal. Quickly rising to fame on the strength of such illustrious releases as ‘Endless Pain’ (1985), ‘Pleasure to Kill’ (1986) and ‘Extreme Aggression’ (1989), their fan base and commercial success declined somewhat in the 90s as they experimented with industrial influences. However, at the start of the 21st century Kreator revisited their old sound, giving it a more melodic twist. From then on they went from strength to strength: the double live DVD ‘Dying Alive’ (2013) captured the raw essence of the raging fury and blistering speed Kreator brings to the stage but also showcased the band’s new-found melodic side with accessible and anthemic choruses. The same is true of ‘Gods of Violence’ (2017): the tracks are satisfyingly heavy and you find yourself stomping along from the very first listen. In recent years they have embarked on several successful headlining tours and their excellent new album ‘Hate Über Alles’ (2022) has solidified that standing. #GMM23
