Kreator – Krushers of the World
There are bands that refuse to age quietly. While many thrash veterans now rely on past glories or painfully repeat themselves, Kreator storms in with their sixteenth studio album as if they still have something to prove. And perhaps they do. After the unevenly received “Hate Über Alles” in 2022, the Germans had to show that the tank is far from empty. With “Krushers of the World”, they do so with flair.
The past year has been one of reflection for Kreator. Frontman Mille Petrozza’s autobiography, “Your Heaven, My Hell”, was released, as well as the documentary “Hate & Hope”. While other bands, after four decades, look back and retire quietly, Kreator uses that retrospection as fuel for new anger. Producer Jens Bogren, who previously worked on “Phantom Antichrist” and “Gods of Violence”, delivers a sound that is both raw and cinematic. The production is crystal-clear without being sterile, giving each instrument room to breathe amid the chaos.
Opener “Seven Serpents” sets the tone immediately. After a stately, almost regal guitar intro, hell breaks loose in a way reminiscent of the glory days of “Extreme Aggression”. Petrozza’s voice, after forty years of vocal abuse, remains venomous and powerful, while guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö dishes out razor-sharp riffs as if his life depends on it. The chorus is an instant sing-along that will raise fists in the crowd.
“Satanic Anarchy” then blasts off like a Formula 1 car on pole position. It’s precisely the kind of track you hope Kreator can keep writing: vicious, anthemic, with a chorus that burrows into your brain like a parasite. Anyone who once heard “Flag of Hate” and thought Kreator would never sound this urgent again should eat their words.
One surprise is “Tränenpalast”, a moody tribute to Dario Argento’s horror classic “Suspiria”. With guest contributions from Britta Görtz of Hiraes, the band adds death metal elements to their palette while winking at Goblin’s legendary soundtrack. This is Kreator at their most adventurous, without losing their identity.
The title track takes a different approach. Whereas most songs rely on speed, “Krushers of the World” stomps with the relentlessness of an industrial machine. It recalls a cross between Paradise Lost and Godflesh, with Frédéric Leclercq’s groovy basslines as its backbone. It’s a track made for arena shows, complete with a shout-along chorus.
Not everything is surprising. “Barbarian” and “Blood of Our Blood” are solid thrashers but add little new to the Kreator formula. They are instantly recognisable as Kreator, but could have appeared on any of their recent albums. “Combatants” offers more variety with its progressive elements and complex solos, though it still stays within the band’s comfort zone.
Closer “Loyal to the Grave” is an emotional love letter to the fans. With its almost Iron Maiden-like melodies and lyrics about eternal connection, it’s the perfect ending for a band that understands the value of its audience. It’s the kind of track that will bring tears to metalheads’ eyes.
“Krushers of the World” doesn’t reinvent the wheel, nor does it need to. This is Kreator doing what they do best, with the conviction and energy of a band aware that every album could be their last, yet refusing to give up. In an era where many peers quit or go on autopilot, Kreator sounds more relevant than ever. The Teutonic thrash kings prove that age is no excuse for mediocrity. (8/10) (Nuclear Blast)
