Kreator's work has been consistently in the vein of pure thrash, with the exception of four albums (Renewal, Cause for Conflict, Outcast and Endorama) during the 1990s when they undertook serious experimentation. Incorporating Industrial, Gothic and Avant-Garde elements into their sound, the results were uneven in some fans' and also critics' eyes. The band has since incorporated melodic death metal elements into their thrash sound, particularly that of the gothenburg scene.
Kreator formed as Tyrant in 1982 in Essen, Germany. The original lineup featured vocalist/guitarist Miland "Mille" Petrozza, drummer Jurgen 'Ventor' Reil, and bassist Rob Fioretti. They soon changed their name to Tormentor and released two demos. They changed the name of the band again to the final one, Kreator and signed to Noise Records in 1985. The name Kreator is not just a play on the English word "creator", it's also a name of a demon in the German mythology. Mille thought it was a cool name so the band settled with this new name instead of "Tormentor".
They recorded their debut album, Endless Pain, in just 10 days. Legions of black and death metal bands call it one of their major influences. The band hired the late Sodom guitarist Michael Wulf for the albums tour.
Wulf was in the band for a few days and didn't play on the band's next album, 1986's Pleasure to Kill, despite his getting credit. A new guitarist, Jörg "Tritze" Trzebiatowski joined the band and he played on this album, which is widely considered a thrash classic. Produced by Harris Johns (Helloween, Voivod), it is arguably one of the heaviest, fastest albums in metal, while showing the band growing in talent and technical ability. The song "Flag of Hate" became an early hit, and the band became one of the most promising up-and-coming European metal acts. With Tritze the band started their first tour ever (before the release of Pleasure to Kill they had only played 5 gigs total). The band closed out the year with the Flag of Hate EP.
In 1987 Kreator released Terrible Certainty, which is often considered to be Kreator's best album as the arrangements on the album were more complex and the tempos more varied. The album featured another hit "Behind The Mirror", and the band's popularity continued to grow. They managed to find enough time and money (coming from the concerts) to finance another EP Out of the Dark ... Into the Light.
In 1988 Kreator signed with major label Epic Records. Their debut with Epic, 1989's Extreme Aggression, recorded in Los Angeles, became a metal hit. Continuing the Terrible Certainty formula while showing the band still progressing musically and with better production by the well-regarded Randy Burns (also Megadeth among others), the album featured the band's first major singles and music videos, the title track and "Betrayer", becoming major hits on MTVs Headbangers Ball. They toured North America with Suicidal Tendencies, which greatly expanded their popularity outside of Europe.
In 1989 German director Thomas Schadt made a documentary about Kreator (focusing on the social aspect of heavy metal in the Ruhr Area) titled Thrash Altenessen (named after the band's hometown, a suburb of Essen). Tritze left Kreator after Extreme Aggression. In 1990, with new guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik (also formely of Sodom), the band released Coma of Souls. This album was not quite as praised as the bands previous few albums (many felt the album was "rushed" and repetitive), but still managed to do quite well, with "People of the Lie" becoming a hit. However, things changed in the 90's. With many other thrash bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and others changing their sound for a more commercial approach, Kreator began experimenting with death metal and industrial metal around this time.
The result was 1992s Renewal, which featured heavy death metal and industrial influences. While reaching a newer, more commercial audience, the band upset many longtime fans, accusing them of "selling out". The band, once known for being an excellent live act, had disappointing shows and tours for this album due to the industrial influences.
The excruciatingly taxing touring commitments that followed took the band as far as South America, but understandably left them physically and creatively exhausted. The band began to fall apart around this time, founding member Rob Fioretti left the band after the recording of the album as he wanted to spend more time with his family and was replaced by Andreas Herz, who never played any official release. In 1994 Reil left as well, leaving Petrozza the sole original bandmember. Reil was replaced by Joe Cangelosi. Herz left in 1995 and was replaced by Christian Giesler. To make matters worse, their contract with Epic was dropped. Now on G.U.N. Records the new lineup put out the album Cause for Conflict that year. The result was their most modern album at that time, the sound on this album had influences from Pantera and Machine Head, a slight return to a harsher sound than on the previous album.
Gosdzik and Cangelosi left in 1996 and were replaced by Tommy Vetterli (formerly of Coroner), and, surprisingly, Jurgen Reil. The band continued to experiment with their sound, releasing Outcast and Endorama, both of which experimented with goth and ambient influences, incorporated samples and loops and even found Petrozza trying a few different singing styles on for size. It also retained the groove metal influences. The record sales went down, by the end of the '90s the band reached both commercial and critical nadir. Though frontman Mille Petrozza never cared about this: "For us, success doesn't define in record sales. So all our albums have been successful for us, because we've achieved what we were aiming for...".
However, in 2001, with new guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö, the band released their "comeback" album Violent Revolution, which saw the band returning to their classic thrash style (albeit they used a lot of melodic metal and so called Gothenburg metal riffs). It was praised by fans and critics alike. The tour was extremely successful and introduced Kreator to a younger generation of metal fans. A live album Live Kreation and live DVD Live Kreation: Revisioned Glory were released in 2003, and a new studio album - still retaining a style closer to old school thrash metal - Enemy of God was released in 2005. This album also saw a special edition re-release in 2006 called Enemy of God: Revisited. In early 2006, Kreator toured North America and Canada with Napalm Death, A Perfect Murder, and Undying. In 2007 Kreator had a European tour with Celtic Frost and Waatan. Kreator were to tour 2008 with King Diamond, Leaves Eyes, and Cellador, however the tour has been cancelled due to back issues with King Diamond.
In July of 2008 Kreator entered the Titonus Studios in Germany with producer Moses Schneider to record their twelfth studio album: Hordes of Chaos. The record was mixed by Colin Richardson and released worldwide under Steamhammer Records on the 13th January 2009. The record has been described as their most organic album to date because, barring vocals, guitar solos and some melodies, the album was recorded in a live setting on analog tape recorder with very few overdubs. Frontman Mille Petrozza noted that this was the first time they have recorded an album this way since Pleasure to Kill in 1986.
The album was released in three different formats. The standard edition was issued in a jewel case and features the 10 album tracks. A deluxe edition features a bonus DVD with a making of the album documentary. The LP version of the album has different artwork to the other versions.
The album debuted at number 165 on The Billboard 200 chart in the US, with first week sales of approximately 2,800 copies.
The album was re-released as the 'Ultra Riot' box set edition in mid 2010. It featured new artwork, extended liner notes, promo videos, a bonus disc with demo tracks and cover songs and various pieces of memorabilia (such as a photobook, sticker, poster and photo card).
Kreator toured on the back of this album throughout 2010, and Mille has recently confirmed that 2011 will primarily be a song-writing year for the band.
Flag of Hate
Kreator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tonight someone will die, you can hear
Some painful scream the air is full of files
The mayhemic legions are ready to steal the human souls
Come into my vault and do what you have been told
I'll eat your intestines no matter if you pray or please
I'll bring you down to your knees
Tonight you're gonna meet your fate you'll try to run but it's too
[Chorus]
Time to raise your flag of hate, destroy the world is our only aim
To strike them down is the only way to make 'em dead
and make 'em pay
The gallow of the underground shippers on the sea of blood
All what we want is to crucify your "God"
The posers on this earth have no right to live
We gonna split their brains torture is what we give
The lyrics of Kreator's song Flag of Hate paint a dark and violent image of a city on the brink of chaos. The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song, describing the city as shrouded in "dark shadows". The lyrics suggest that someone is about to die, a victim of the "mayhemic legions" who are ready to steal "human souls". The imagery is disturbing and violent, as the singer invites the listener to "come into [their] vault" where they will "eat your intestines" and bring you "down to your knees". The message is clear - there is no escaping the singer's wrath.
The chorus of the song reinforces the themes of destruction and violence. The singer calls for the listener to "raise your flag of hate" and destroy the world. The lyrics suggest that the only way to achieve this is by killing those who stand in our way. The imagery is intense and graphic, calling for the listener to "strike them down", make them "dead", and "make them pay".
In conclusion, Kreator's song Flag of Hate is a powerful and disturbing depiction of violence, destruction, and chaos. The lyrics are designed to shock and unsettle the listener, painting an intense and graphic image of a violent world where the only way to survive is to kill those who stand in your way.
Line by Line Meaning
Dark shadows lie over the city
The city is enveloped in an ominous darkness, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Tonight someone will die, you can hear
The impending death of an unfortunate victim is palpable and can be sensed by those around.
Some painful scream the air is full of files
Agonizing screams fill the air, attracting swarms of flies and further emphasizing the brutality of the upcoming act.
The mayhemic legions are ready to steal the human souls
The malevolent forces have gathered to capture and possess the souls of the humans, indicating their sinister intentions.
Come into my vault and do what you have been told
Enter the hidden area and carry out the tasks you have been instructed to perform.
I'll eat your intestines no matter if you pray or please
The singer intends to commit an act of extreme violence and cannibalism, without any regard for the victim's pleas or prayers.
I'll bring you down to your knees
The singer will subjugate their victim and bring them to a position of complete helplessness.
Tonight you're gonna meet your fate you'll try to run but it's too Late I am here to liquidate
The time has come for the victim to face their inevitable doom, and despite their efforts to escape, the artist is determined to execute them.
[Chorus]
The following lines constitute the chorus of the song.
Time to raise your flag of hate, destroy the world is our only aim
The only motivation of the group is to spread destruction and chaos with the banner of their hatred raised high.
To strike them down is the only way to make 'em dead and make 'em pay
The singer firmly believes that the brutal elimination of their targets is the only way to truly punish them for their perceived crimes.
The gallow of the underground shippers on the sea of blood
The ruthless killers refer to themselves as a ship sailing on a sea of blood, ready to carry out the heinous act of execution.
All what we want is to crucify your 'God'
The group identifies themselves as anti-religious and want to obliterate any belief in a higher power or deity.
The posers on this earth have no right to live
The group has a disdain for anyone who does not conform to their beliefs or lifestyle, declaring them undeserving of life.
We gonna split their brains torture is what we give
The group intends to inflict extreme physical and mental distress on their targets, with no mercy or remorse.
Lyrics © JOSEPH BIHARI LIVING TRUST DBA MODERN MUSIC PUB COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JUERGEN REIL, MILAND PETROZZA, ROBERTO FIORETTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@biljanasibinovic87
Lyrics:
Dark shadows lie over the city, tonight someone will die
You can hear some painful scream the air is full of flies
The mayhemic legions are ready to steal the human souls
Come into my vault and do what you've been told
I'll eat your intestines
No matter if you pray or please
I'll bring you down to your knees
Tonight you're gonna meet your fate
You'll try to run but it's too late
I am here to liquidate
Time to raise your flag of hate
Destroy the world is our only aim
To strike 'em down is the only way
To make 'em death and let 'em pay
The galleys of the underground sail on the sea of blood
All what we want is to crucify your god
The posers on this Earth have no right to live
We're gonna split their brains, torture is what we give
@RussellHudgins
Master producer Horst Müller did this album along with many other greats including......
Beast
1985 Like Living in a Cage Engineering
Celtic Frost
1984 Morbid Tales (EP) Producer, Mixing, Mastering, Engineering (as ""Mad" Horst Müller")
1985 Metal Attack Vol. 1 (Split) Producer (tracks B1, B3-B4), Mastering (tracks B3-B4), Mixing (tracks B3-B4), Engineering (tracks A3, B1, B3-B4)
1985 Emperor's Return (EP) Producer (tracks 2, 3)
1985 To Mega Therion Producer, Engineering
1986 Tragic Serenades (EP) Engineering
2017 Innocence and Wrath (Compilation) Producer (tracks 1:1-1:14), Mixing (tracks 1:1-1:6), Mastering (tracks 1:1-1:6), Engineering (tracks 1:1-1:14)
Crack Jaw
1985 Nightout Engineering
Destruction
1984 Sentence of Death (EP) Engineering
1985 Infernal Overkill Engineering (as "Horst H.I.F. "...The Crazy Frog..." Müller")
1988 Mad Butcher / Sentence of Death (Compilation) Engineering (tracks 5-9)
1988 Mad Butcher / Sentence of Death (Compilation) Engineering (track 10)
1988 Sentence of Death / Infernal Overkill (Compilation) Engineering (as "Horst "The Crazy Frog" Muller")
1990 Best Of (Compilation) Engineering (tracks 1:1-1:9, 2:7 & 2:12
Hellhammer
1984 Apocalyptic Raids (EP) Engineering
1990 Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. (Compilation) Engineering, Mixing
Helloween
1984 Death Metal (Split) Engineering
Iron Angel
1985 Hellish Crossfire Producer (as "Horst "Hoddle" Müller")
Iron Force
1983 Rock from Hell - German Metal Attack (Split) Recording (tracks B1-B2)
Kreator
1985 Endless Pain Producer, Engineering, Mixing
Railway
1997 Railway Producer (tracks 10,11)
Running Wild
1984 Victim of States Power (EP) Recording
1984 Gates to Purgatory Recording
1985 Branded and Exiled Co-producer, Recording, Mixing
1991 Gates to Purgatory + Branded & Exiled (Compilation) Producer (tracks 11-18), Mixing (tracks 11-18), Recording
Sodom
1985 In the Sign of Evil (EP) Engineering
Vicious Circle
1984 Take It (EP) Mixing, Producer, Recording (as "Horst "Speed" Müller")
Warrant
1985 First Strike (EP) Producer, Mixing, Engineering
1985 The Enforcer Engineering
2000 The Enforcer + First Strike (Compilation) Engineering, Mixing (tracks 11-15), Producer (tracks 11-15)
2010 Ready to Command 2010 (Compilation) Mixing (tracks 11-15), Engineering, Producer (tracks 11-15)
@DaviRoutner
Impossible not to worship Kreator!
@RedDeadTrooper
False, I don't hate this sound, but in personal opinion [Key word: Personal], Sodom is better.
@DaviRoutner
Good for you.
@RedDeadTrooper
Hey man, No offense intended, let's just enjoy the music, eh?
@DaviRoutner
No offense taken! :)
@user-pf7qg9lc6p
Davi Routner exactly!
@beavinator420
This song is just so nostalgic without having grown up with it. A fkn time capsule! This is the greatest metal kids pay attention
@jamestorres9464
German thrash is insane this band Sodom destruction assassin tankard and so many more of course I love american thrash too I love all true metal from around the globe😛😀😀😄
@RickGibbonsOfficial
No idea why they rerecorded this song a year or two or three later, this version SLAYS. This album was borderline black/death, listen to those vocals breh
@metalupyourass9247
@KrikaHalo Yea, you right, but you can't deny that this album influenced a lot of black and death metal bands.