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.
Witching Hour
Kreator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the witching hour draws near,
come hear the bell is tolling,
mortals run in fear,
prepare the altar now and hear the virgin cry,
hold fast the sacrafice,
for now it's the time to die,
all hell breaks loose,
Unveil the pentagram,
and feel the demons lust,
come watch the holy men,
who look on in disgust,
come taste blood,
and feel the heat of satan's breath,
look in the sky's and see,
the warriors of death,
all hell breaks loose,
hell's breaking loose,
witching hour.
Our work is now complete,
the blood runs fast and free,
and satan takes his bride,
and cry's of blasphemy,
all hell rejoices at the child,
that she will bear,
and satans only son,
shall be the worlds despair,
all hell breaks loose,
hell's breaking loose,
witching hour.
The lyrics of Kreator's song Witching Hour depict a sinister scene of a group of worshippers preparing for a satanic ritual as the moon casts an eerie glow. The witching hour draws near, and the bell tolls as the group prepares the altar for the sacrifice. The virgin cries as they hold the sacrifice fast, fully aware that it's time to die. The music intensifies as all hell breaks loose, and the pentagram is unveiled as the demons' lust drives them further into their wicked acts.
The holy men stare in disgust as they watch the group taste blood and feel the heat of Satan's breath. They look up in the sky and see the warriors of death. All hell is breaking loose, and the witching hour has fully descended upon them. When their work is done, Satan takes his bride, and cries of blasphemy fill the air as all hell rejoices at the child the woman will bear. Satan's only son shall create despair in the world, and the night draws to a close as the clock strikes twelve.
The lyrics paint a chilling picture of a time when people fear the dark, and the unknown lurks in the shadows. They reflect the apprehension and fear that humans have had towards the supernatural since time immemorial.
Line by Line Meaning
Come hear the moon is calling,
The onset of the witching hour is signaled by the call of the moon, urging all those who wish to practice witchcraft to gather together.
the witching hour draws near,
The time when magic is most potent and spirits are most active is fast approaching.
come hear the bell is tolling,
The sound of the bell warns mortals to stay away and avoid the horrors that are about to take place.
mortals run in fear,
The common people who are not privy to the secrets of the witching hour are scared and try to flee from the unknown dangers.
prepare the altar now and hear the virgin cry,
The ritual requires an altar to be set up, and the sacrifice of a virgin whose screams and cries will awaken the infernal forces necessary for the ritual.
hold fast the sacrifice,
The virgin must be restrained to ensure that the ritual is successful and that the demons will be appeased.
for now it's the time to die,
The time has come for the sacrifice to die and offer their blood and soul to the dark forces.
all hell breaks loose,
The unleashing of dark forces and malevolent spirits that will wreak havoc and destruction on everything that stands on their way.
hell's breaking loose.
The forces of hell are now unleashed and the world will never be the same again.
Unveil the pentagram,
The pentagram is the sacred symbol of darkness and by uncovering it, the practitioners show their allegiance to the dark forces.
and feel the demons lust,
The dark forces awaken carnal desires and passions that are usually repressed, leading to a frenzy of lust and ecstasy.
come watch the holy men,
The practitioners relish the sight of the religious authorities who condemn their practices and bring their holy symbols to protect the people from the forces of darkness.
who look on in disgust,
The disgust of the righteous indicates the satisfaction of the practitioners that they are offending the established morality.
come taste blood,
The consumption of the virgin's blood is a crucial part of the ritual that invokes the dark powers and confers strength and immortality on the practitioners.
and feel the heat of Satan's breath,
The presence of Satan is felt by the heat emanating from the altar, as he bestows his blessings and empowers the practitioners.
look in the sky's and see,
The manifestation of the dark forces is visible in the sky, as the spirits take the shape of warriors and demons to strike fear in the hearts of mortals.
the warriors of death,
The spirits who are summoned by the witches are the harbingers of death, destruction, and chaos, who will bring the world to its knees.
Our work is now complete,
The practitioners have conducted the ritual successfully, and their objective of invoking the dark forces has been fulfilled.
the blood runs fast and free,
The consumption and spilling of blood has fulfilled its purpose, and the dark powers are now liberated from their prison.
and Satan takes his bride,
Satan has taken the virgin's soul as his bride, and she will forever serve as a portal between the worlds of the living and the dead.
and cry's of blasphemy,
The practitioners rejoice in their deed, expressing their admiration for the dark forces and their contempt for the norms and values of the society they live in.
all hell rejoices at the child,
The birth of Satan's child symbolizes the triumph of darkness over light, and the beginning of a new era of destruction and chaos.
that she will bear,
The virgin who offered her blood and soul will be the mother of Satan's child, thus ensuring the propagation of the dark forces.
and Satan's only son,
Satan's only offspring is destined to rule the world of darkness and to usher in a new age of horror and fear.
shall be the worlds despair,
The arrival of Satan's son will signal the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of a reign of terror that will last for eternity.
witching hour.
The witching hour has ended, and the practitioners have unleashed hell upon the world, changing it forever.
Writer(s): Anthony Bray, Conrad Thomas Lant, Jeffrey Dunn
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dashriproch
An excellent cover, but always remember...IT'S A COVER. Venom created this metal anthem when these guys were still on school.
@Johnjohnlamenace
Yeah it's true
@patrickstahl1264
Hail the Mighty KREATOR
@salazar.slytherin6400
@Patrick Stahl KRRRRRREATOOOOORRRRRRR
@WhoisVinnie
MAYHEM
@ayoutubechannel1499
LOL😂
@zuidwijker66
Venom inspired many bands in the mid and late eighties...Venom cannot be overlooked like some idiots like to do....Venom is still one of my favorite black/thrash metal bands...Kreator's version is certainly a decent version but not a better version...Only a little faster..
@melkor555
Fred Bijl venom is not black metal. is speed metal
@zuidwijker66
No it is not dear mr/mrs. Melkor.. Venom was more like thrash metal, certainly not speed metal...
@melkor555
In that time there was no 'thrash' so it was refered as speed