Tag Archives: mille petrozza

Kreator @ Nokia Theatre Times Square (3/6/2010)

Logo - Kreator

Artist: Kreator
Venue: Nokia Theatre Times Square (New York, NY)
Opener: Voivod, Nachtmystium, Evile, Lazarus A.D.
Date: 3/6/2010
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

And thus we began what I had been referring to as “March Metal Madness” in the weeks that actually led up to its arrival as Kreator returned to the USA for the second leg of their “Hordes Of Chaos” tour and also to celebrate the bands 25th anniversary. I’ve been lucky enough to see Kreator at what appeared to be every one of their NYC stops over the last few years and while I didn’t follow them “back in the day”, I had to say that I became one of those quick studies who greatly enjoyed the Metal devastation that they unleash. The show this evening at Nokia Theatre Times Square was going to be both a long and an early one with four opening acts leading us into the Kreator set and as result the doors opened at 5pm and the show commenced at 6pm. Joining Kreator for this go round would be Lazarus A.D., Evile, Nachtmystium and the one and only Voivod. Lazarus A.D. would be the first band up tonight but an emergency technical faux pas found me needing to miss them in order to address it. I did manage to catch the end of their second to last song and final number and found them to be a really solid group and definitely one of those bands that I will make note about seeing the next time around. Evile was coming up almost immediately and that was to be expected if tonight was going to run on time.
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Kreator & Exodus @ Nokia Theatre Times Square (4/8/2009)

If there was ever a show that was going to pack a punch then it was going to be this one as it found two legendary Thrashers in action on the same stage. Yep, Kreator was back in NYC after far too long, and they brought the one and only Exodus along for direct support. The event was complimented by Black Metal’s Belphegor, up and coming Thrash legends Warbringer and Epicurean and this would all take place at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square. Although a lengthy event and a lot to cover we were on point with camera and notepad in hand to bring all the action to your home. Scroll on.

Logo - Kreator

Artist: Kreator
Venue: Nokia Theater (New York, NY)
Opener: Epicurean, Warbringer, Belphegor, Exodus
Date: 4/8/2009
Label: SPV Records

While the promise of a killer Metal show normally does the trick for me no matter what is going on in life, I had to say that my day leading up this show found me a bit defeated. I had mentioned at the close of my Destruction review that one of the PiercingMetal camera lenses had rolled back out of the bag unnoticed and while I had hoped it would turn up at the venue the following morning, it would not. The premise of not having a crucial piece of gear and needing to shoot five bands at a big show was pretty much a suck factor but I would have to make do until I could replace it. Despite this, the show last night was a killer way to lead into the fun that was to be had this evening as Germany’s Kreator would take the stage and bring along Exodus, Belphegor, Warbringer and Epicurean as support. Set to happen at the Nokia Theatre Times Square, I had thought that last night’s Destruction show started way early but tonight would find me braving the Metal madness at 6pm based on there being five bands on the roster. As I arrived some of the security folks were telling people that we might not see Belphegor perform because the first band was already set to hit the stage and there was no sign of the Blackened Death Metal masters at all. Epicurean was up first of the five.
Continue reading Kreator & Exodus @ Nokia Theatre Times Square (4/8/2009)

“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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