Tag Archives: kreator

Revisiting “Metal Edge” Magazine: The CD Reviews – Part 6

These album overviews were originally written for Metal Edge Magazine when I was a contributor to their “Hear Us Out” CD reviews section back in 2006-2007. With the magazine wrapping up publication a few months ago, I decided to add them to the context of our PiercingMetal presentation. I felt that by doing this I would not only be raising the horns in remembrance of the magazine but would also be able to showcase just how different writing for a major publication was when it all came down to it. Since “Hear Us Out” notations were usually “100” words in length, these posts will feature several reviews each until we run out of them. The freelance writing tenure at Metal Edge Magazine was discussed on THIS LINK so please check that out when done. Here are the reviews, so “Hear Us Out”.

Killswitch Engage: “As Daylight Dies” (Roadrunner Records)

You can say with levels of certainty that bands like All That Remains and Burn In Silence along with a laundry list of others owe a debt of gratitude to Killswitch Engage for both their music and their efforts on the Heavy Metal genre as a whole. It was Killswitch who made it clear that both the intensity of Metalcore and the traditional melody of conventional Metal could and would work together with a bombastic result; now with As Daylight Dies, the band continues to show why they are the undisputed masters of this formula for many years. As you listen, you find that the aggression is still there and you find it prominently displayed on “Unbroken” where Jones rails against the world in anger only to break into the melodic parts with ease and perfection. Tracks like opener “As Daylight Dies” and “This Is Absolution” remind you that you are listening to professionals who have really grown into their role as a leader for this brand of Metal. The success that they have achieved over the past few years have really given the format a massive push ahead the rest and with every tune on the new record you can see why they have become so influential in this kind of sound. Instead of choosing to rest upon the laurels of success, we find the new album once again taking the band in a venture ahead to new again and focusing a little more on the melodic side than ever before. This might cause some dismay in the folks who wanted a non-stop brutality fest and they should be aware that the use of melody does not mean that they have grown soft by any stretch. This is actually a very killer album and I expect that when its numbers come back that it turns more people onto the group than it does turn off. In Metal, the only constant is change and since they deal with so much in the way of competition, I am glad to see KE opting to lead the charge one more time. One of my favorites is “Still Beats Your Name” which is an intensely dynamic number with throttling drums by Justin Foley, while “Reject Yourself” closes out the release with a punch that is as hard as only Killswitch Engage can deliver. As Daylight Dies, the power of KE grows all the stronger.

KISS: ”Alive 1975-2000” (Universal Music)

It’s been over thirty years and KISS is still one of the most visually exciting bands ever formed and the levels of spectacle and entertainment at their concerts have given millions of fans worldwide experiences that are forever remembered. This CD collection celebrates the performances of KISS by featuring all three of their Alive releases as well as a special bonus disk. Alive was the album that saved KISS’ career for it was not until the band took the risk of releasing a double live album that their true powers over the listener were realized. Yes they had an ever-growing fan base but the albums were not selling. Instead of the career suicide many predicted with this effort it became a blockbuster that many live recordings are measured against. The band’s anthem would officially claim that status as a result of Alive and soon “Rock And Roll All Nite” was on radio stations everywhere. Alive II was culled from three shows at The Forum in LA and the increase in technology allowed KISS to make this release much more of an in your face listen than its predecessor. The third side would give the listener five new studio tracks to enjoy. “R&R All Night” is presented as a bonus on this set. Alive III finds a long unmasked and different roster KISS (Peter Criss and Ace Frehley were long gone). In their place were Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer (Singer had joined shortly after the passing of Eric Carr). Also released on video the album was met with approval but dissent at the one CD instead of two. The bonus CD is the long missing Millennium Concert, recorded in front of 45,000 fans during the bands “Farewell Tour” and once again featured the founding four members. Continually delayed, this album would simply vanish from the radar of fans. Some tracks made their way to the Boxed Set but that would be it. It would also be the final live recording to feature completely original members, as Ace would leave again and be replaced by Tommy Thayer. Wrapped in a highly decorative deluxe digipack it includes a booklet that features every insert found in the original albums as well as a score of bonus photos. It’s time to get out the greasepaint and stick out your tongue once again for KISS – “The Hottest Band In The World”.
Continue reading Revisiting “Metal Edge” Magazine: The CD Reviews – Part 6

“Enemy Of God – Revisited” by Kreator

Artist: Kreator
Title: “Enemy Of God – Revisited”
Label: SPV Records
Release Date: 10/24/2006
Genre: Thrash Metal
Rating: 4/5

When it comes to the Thrash Metal genre there are few bands that can stand up to the titan that is Germany’s Kreator. In 2005, the group released “Enemy Of God”, a powerful and intense recording that showed the Metal world that Kreator had not gone away and was still capable of delivering the goods. It was also an album that showcased that the band could, and would be able to grow and mature in a world of ever-changing musical tides and as a result be influenced by some of the climate that was happening around them. The influences would not deter them from their course of Metal destruction, but in turn would blend fluidly and give the listener a new way to appreciate their favorite band. The elements that one can hear are traces of Arch Enemy but don’t worry, you will not find any rapping over the riffs here like so many bands who changed their sound ended up doing. The Masters of the Thrash aspect with limited peer proved that “Enemy Of God” would please the listener by using the tried and true formula and also elements of the Melodic Death being showcased in so many of today’s powerful bands.
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“Enemy Of God” by Kreator

Artist: Kreator
Title: “Enemy Of God”
Label: SPV Records
Release Date: 1/11/2005
Genre: Thrash Metal
Rating: 4/5

Like a blast from a volcano Kreator has returned to us with a potent dose of pure and intense Thrash Metal and it proves to any unbeliever that this genre can most assuredly improve over the course of time. “Enemy Of God” is a blistering release that packs a leather clad fist punch to the face of “Nu-Metal”, and it demonstrates very clear to their ilk on how it was gone in the old days. However, despite its powerful opener of “Enemy Of God”, the album also takes time to showcase the influences of some of the music we see happening in today’s extreme scene. Kreator blends elements of Melodic Death to their song structures and as result we find songs like “When Death Takes It’s Dominion” on the release. Mille Petrozza has not lost any of his commanding delivery and seems to be a more evolved Metal presence today in the face of far too much of the same kind of music. The release has moments where it can be able to be viewed as a Metal history lesson based on the Thrash genre and where it comes from originally. Mille as a singer also offers levels of musical growth which adds to the appeal of the release and the band once again. It’s not all a shred fest or pummeling for there are some experimentations into slower more ballad type forays which might surprise you. Such a track is “The Ancient Plague” and while not a ballad like “Home Sweet Home” (Motley Crue), it does make use of more melodic guitar harmony and softer vocals than you often hear this particular band delivering. Of course most of the album is an assault on the senses and you will find this most prominently displayed on “Impossible Brutality”, and “World Anarchy”.
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Kreator @ B.B. King Blues Club (2/26/2006)

Logo - Kreator

Artist: Kreator
Venue: B.B. King Blues Club (New York, NY)
Opener: Napalm Death
Date: 2/26/2006
Label: SPV Records

Kreator! The legendary thrashers led by Mille Petrozza are back and continuing their support of 2005’s amazing and powerful release on SPV Records “Enemy Of God”. The appeal of this band to their following is impressive for when they passed through mid-last year one can understand a sold out venue; yet a return that finds the same result is excellent some 8 months later especially since there was no new release or DVD to promote. In the roster of German Thrash Metal bands of the world, there is a “Big Three” and this is comprised of Kreator, Destruction and Sodom. To me, Kreator is the best of the lot with Destruction holding a close second to Sodom’s third. You might disagree and that’s okay. Tonight they would be returning to NYC to decimate the Metal populace and do this with the one and only Napalm Death as their direct support. The growing in popularity venue for Metal was a ravenous monster to be inside tonight that is for sure. Opening the show or sharing the headlining bill Century Media Records own Napalm Death. The music of Napalm Death is a brutal mix of Hard Core Punk and Thrash Metal and despite my limited background on them they certainly proved that the mosh pit would be in full force during their performance. The group also rocketed through 24 songs and while that seems long it was not the case with many of their tunes having a short length. The band has been around since 1987 and are considered legendary in the genre. It’s high-speed and brutally in your face music and tonight a large amount of material would be from their latest release “The Code Is Red”. If hard core punk influenced metal is what gets you stomping then you should be paying attention to Napalm Death and what they offer you as a fan. They did go over well this evening and I am sure impressed others like myself who are not on top of them.
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Kreator @ B.B. King Blues Club (4/3/2005)

Logo - Kreator

Artist: Kreator
Venue: B.B. King Blues Club – NYC
Opener: Vader
Date: 4-3-2005
Label: SPV Records

Kicking off the first night of their US Tour was Germany’s own Kreator and this would be a show to remember. The venue was a jam packed B.B. King Blues Club (or as I like to now refer to it as the place were every show seems to be happening these days). What was great to experience was the level of excitement for I felt out of all my most recent adventures out to the club that this show had a higher level than most. Kreator has not played in the States for awhile by my recollection and not only would this show mark off the US Tour but it was also in support of their latest release “Enemy Of God”. According to my label contacts this new CD had scanned in sales more than the last couple of records, so definitely these people were hungry for this band. I remember talking to one lovely head banger chick who told me that she first had driven almost two hours only to then take a train for the same amount of time just to be at this show. That was how deep her love of Kreator music was and I tend to admire this level of dedication. It is important to metal as a genre to still have this kind of effect on people especially when you are stuck with American Idol everywhere you turn. The band roster was Autumn Offering, Pro-Pain and Vader. Of the first up players I missed Autumn Offering entirely and only caught a couple of the Pro-Pain songs. They did sound nice and heavy and I do know they have been around for a while. An interesting site to observe that while the Kreator fans surely ruled in number there was also a large amount of support for Vader. These veteran kings of Death Metal from Poland did not seem to play any longer than 45 minutes but the audience definitely enjoyed themselves. Personally I am not a tremendous fan but I totally get into the vibe of the audience when it is affected in this manner. It makes it such a better time.
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