Kreator – Hate Über Alles
Release Date: 10th June 2022
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Thrash Metal
FFO: The Crown, Destruction, The Haunted, Slayer, Exodus.
Review By: Rick Farley
Turning back the clocks way back to 1986, German thrash metal band Kreator released their sophomore album Pleasure to Kill, becoming one of the most important and influential albums of the thrash and death metal genres. A true classic in every sense of the word. That particular year also included such albums as Master of Puppets, Reign in Blood, and Peace Sells… Pretty damn good company to be perfectly honest. However, Kreator unfortunately didn’t achieve mainstream popularity until much later in their careers; but that doesn’t change the fact that they are one of thrash metals true founders. One of the big four of Teutonic thrash metal, Kreator is often credited as also helping to pioneer death metal and black metal which contain some of the same elements. Like many bands of that era, they’ve had their ups and downs as far as quality of discography, experimentation and rotating members. One thing is for sure though, getting a new Kreator album in 2022 is pretty damn cool. Essentially, it’s been five years in the making, so let’s hope they still got it.
Hate Über Alles marks the bands fifteenth studio album, and with the bands storied discography containing some absolutely legendary albums, I thought this could be a difficult review. My very first go through convinced me that just won’t be the case. Fucking legends.
Album title track Hate Über Alles which translates to Hate Above All, is the first single released and is a clear indication that these boys are still on top of their game. Mille does his best higher pitched classic thrash scream before it kicks into a violent frenzy of hair spinning, neck breaking aggression. The furious pace and a sing along style chorus will keep this track a live staple for years to come. Crush the Tyrants has a cool drum intro that breaks into a stomping metallic groove, with a catchy as Hell chorus and some superb guitar melodies. Strongest of the Strong brings gang style, sing along vocals, galloping riffs and wicked trills. Excellent solo’s, melodic licks and some sick whammy harmonics keep the shred tight and concise. Become Immortal has a NWOBHM vibe to it that takes you way back just listening to it. It’s not overly heavy or thrashy, but its strength lies in its nostalgic traditional metal aura. It comes complete with a crowd style sing along melody and pure feel-good metal nostalgia. The start of Conquer and Destroy could have been taken directly off a Maiden album until it wickedly hits the fast double bass and speedy syncopated guitar savagery. An irresistible headbanging monster groove, hits hard before the shredding begins. Demonic Future feels like classic Kreator, just pissed off furious thrash metal at breakneck speeds. Sinister harmonized guitar melodies and hooky vocals close this bludgeoning track. Album closer Dying Planet gives off some serious black metal vibes. Sounding evil as fuck and crushingly heavy. It sways with a rhythmic chugging verse riffs that will have you fist pumping in its metal glory. Mille angrily screams “Dying Planet” before double bass and black metal influenced melodies conjure up the demons right before your eyes. This could very well end being my favourite song on the entire album.
Kreator with nothing left to prove, are releasing possibly one of the very best albums of 2022. Fifteen albums in and these guys are still spewing sonic warfare and breaking necks better than most younger bands. Instant classic that’s newly focused, fresh sounding and just pure vicious and unrelenting thrash metal. I for one with be jamming this fucker for a long time. 
(4.5 / 5)
