Hate Uber Alles

Kreator is a classic thrash metal band. Man, that string of records from the Flag Of Hate EP in '86, straight through to Coma Of Souls in '90, is a hell of a run. Each one is a ripper, and I have no problem dipping into any of those records when I need something raw and angry. Outside of those six records (yeah, I'm including the Out Of The Dark EP in there) I don't spend any time with the rest of the Kreator catalog. The band pushed their boundaries through the 90's, and I'm not really compelled to revisit or even own those albums...and even though Kreator got back to some thrash roots in 2001 with Violent Revolution, and released some solid records since then, when I'm in the mood for Kreator I always hit that 80's output. Still when it was announced that Kreator had new album, Hate Uber Alles, on the way, I was sucked into the hype once again and I ordered a copy.

Like the past few Kreator albums, Hate Uber Alles is pretty good. There are times when I find myself really liking it, and then it kind of fades into background music and by the time the album is over, I don't remember much of what I've heard. Hell, with both Phantom Antichrist (2012) and Gods Of Violence (2017), I have barely given those albums any attention once we moved into a new year after it was released. Maybe I'll get a kick out of giving them a spin at some point down the road, but right now, I'm just kind of shrugging my shoulders. I don't see that Hate Uber Alles will be much different. It is nice to hear some new Kreator songs, but really, I think that all I need are those classic records.

The record may be decent, but the packaging is top notch. I love that front cover artwork, and I'm glad to have this in my collection for that alone. 400 pressed on a nice looking clear ink spot in red colored vinyl.

1989 Aggression

As excited as I've been for some of the recent new releases, I really just want to hangout in my 1989 playlist, so I'm happy to get back to my mission of picking up albums from that year.

One of my favorite metal albums from '89 is Extreme Aggression by Kreator. Holy shit. As an 18/19 years old kid, this album ruled my world. It was so fucking angry and fast, and as I was starting my first year of college and feeling more out of place and awkward than ever, it fit my teenage world perfectly. From start to finish, this record just continues to assault you, never letting up.

When I started looking at my playlist for 1989, and saw this Kreator album slugging it out with Sepultura's Beneath The Remains and Overkill's The Years Of Decay for the top spot, I knew that I needed to make a move and grab this record. When I started checking Discogs to see what was available, I knew that I needed to chase an original German Noise pressing. There was something about those US Epic that looked totally out of place and awkward. The Noise labels are where it's at.

Storming Through 1987 With Menace

Even though I was on a strong Crossover kick while revisiting my 1987 playlist, let's not forget that Thrash was a fucking force to be reckoned with as well. So many great albums were released that year that it was easy to get caught up in my obsession to buy one after another.

Over the Summer, I read the Damn The Machine book, which documents the detailed history of Noise Records...and it should be of no surprise to anyone that this fueled a minor obsession with the label. Noise released a lot of classic Thrash albums, and I spent a lot of my Summer playing those over and over again.

While reviewing my 1987 playlist recently, Kreator's Terrible Certainty shot right to the top of the list. In my effort to cross those top records off my Want List, I set my sights on finally picking up the vinyl.

When I started checking Discogs for a copy, and I discovered that Noise did a red vinyl pressing, I knew that was the way to go.

Gods Of Violence

When it comes to Metal, I'm a sucker for the older bands that are still out there thrashing. When those bands from my angry teen years, step up with a new album, I'll throw on the denim and spikes, and look forward to it's release with eager anticipation. I'm a nostalgic old fool, but as long as they bring the energy, I'll keep buying the records.

Kreator album covers are typically bad ass, and with Gods Of Violence, they do not disappoint. Horns, skulls, upside down crosses...the perfect ingredients for some killer cover art. Sure it is a little reminiscent, of South Of Heaven, but it's all good.

I was interested in checking out the album with the album art alone...but then they released the first video for the title track, Gods Of Violence. The song was a ripper, and the video included some kind of satanic blood ceremony, complete with an all female orgy and lots of boobs. I was sold, and immediately pre-ordered the vinyl.

While their last album, Phantom Antichrist, took some time to grow on me, this new one immediately set its hooks. Great stuff.

500 copies pressed on red and black split colored vinyl. I was surprised to find my copy arrive with an autographed poster.