Kreator: Phantom Antichrist

So here it is, after a patient wait German thrash titans Kreator have recorded possibly THE best thrash metal album of the year, or even THE best album of the year. This is a very bold statement to make, but believe me it's an unparalleled lesson in solid dynamic guitar delivery and blistering tooth shattering riffs.

The subtle intro of "Mars Mantra" paves the way for the sheer Germanic thrash attack of title track "Phantom Antichrist", guitars laying down some crushing riffs well beyond their limitations. Mille Petrozza spits the vocals with venomous vigor and with Sami Yli-Sirniö trading six string interchanges with devastating precision. Having been through and come out the other side of a somewhat experimental phase for a few albums, Kreator are well and truly staking their claim as not only pioneers but as leaders of thrash music for the new generation. The sheer power of the rhythm section is quite simply colossal, how dare they create something that forms cracks in the walls of my house. Volume is not the key to the listening pleasure of this album but damn it, you feel compelled to reach for the volume knob one more time.

"From Flood Into Fire" is certainly one of the albums standout tracks with an interjected hint of Machine Head forming epic guitar crescendos. "United in Hate" is Kreator doing what they do best, fist pumping metal anthems which fuses the metal/thrash world together like leather clad Siamese twins. Track after track of Phantom Antichrist oozes metal; it is simply the perfect Metal album and paced with the listener at the forefront to enable maximum effect. From its glorious art work to the sheer dynamic production, this is an album that has received a lot of thought which fully enhances the albums quality and feel. "Your Heaven, My Hell" is something that would not look out of place if Bruce Dickinson and the boys played it; Mille performs out of his skin throughout, an inspiration for all. Kreator have knuckled down and created a masterpiece, the challenge to better it, like this album, is monstrous for any band out there. They have succeeded where some thought they would fail, delivering an album so important to Metal it will cross generations and set the standard for years to come.

Kreator have made a genre defining album of powerful, crushing thrash overtures. Phantom Antichrist is THE album of the year; it rightfully takes its place at the summit with Master Of Puppets & The Blackening sat side by side waiting for the next challenger.

Track Listing
1. Mars Mantra
2. Phantom Antichrist
3. Death To The World
4. From Flood Into Fire
5. Civilisation Collapse
6. United In Hate
7. The Few, The Proud, The Broken
8. Your Heaven, My Hell
9. Victory Will Come
10. Until Our Paths Cross Again

Added: June 11th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Davies
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3872
Language: english

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