If ever there was a band that epitomized German thrash, Kreator would be it.

Emdless Pain Kreator-Endless Pain (Noise) 1985

1."Endless Pain" (3:31)
2."Total Death" (3:27)
3."Storm of the Beast" (4:55)
4."Tormentor" (2:49)
5."Son of Evil" (4:23)
6."Flag of Hate" (4:36)
7."Cry War" (3:43)
8."Bonebreaker" (2:52)
9."Living in Fear" (3:10)
10."Dying Victims" (4:47)

My college roomate bought this on record and played it over and over, so it was engraved into my brain. Not a bad disc, actually it is quite good, but in comparison to what is to come, this disc is a bit loose and rough around the edges. I think my opinion on alot of these classic "second wave of thrash metal" bands differ with most fans. I tend to think that bands like Seputura, Death, and Kreator got better over time. This early album, while being a true classic just doesn't have the technical prowess or even the lyrical complexity yet. I think at the time they were more worried about speed and shock value than actual song writing or thought proking lyrics. Still, many consider this to be a masterpeice. I will say this, I do like this album but even better things are to come. "Endless Pain" is a decent thrash disc that was a precursor to death metal. Cool cover art.

Pleasure to Kill/Flag of Hate Kreator-Pleasure to Kill/Flag of Hate (Noise) 1986

1."Intro (Choir of the Damned)"-instrumental (1:40)
2."Rippin Corpse" (3:34)
3."Death is Your Saviour" (3:56)
4."Pleasure to Kill" (4:08)
5."Riot of Violence" (4:54)
6."The Pestilence" (6:50)
7."Carrion" (4:46)
8."Command of the Blade" (3:55)
9."Under the Guillotine" (4:36)
10."Flag of Hate"-remix (3:54)
11."Take Their Lives" (6:25)
12."Awakening of the Gods" (7:29)

The rarest of the Kreator discs, I think. Pleasure to Kill" doubled up with the "Flag of Hate" 3 track EP is one fine thrash platter. Unfortunately it cost me a disc I didn't really want to trade (Diamond Head) but I'm sure it will be easier to find than this disc is. The music on this disc is on the same level as Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" and Anthrax's "Spreading the Disease." It's not that this disc sounds like those two discs, its just that level of musicianship is at the same superior level.

Terrible Certainty Kreator-Terrible Certainty (Noise) 1987

1."Blind Faith" (4:04)
2."Storming with Menace" (4:25)
3."Terrible Certainty" (4:26)
4."As the World Burns" (3:48)
5."Toxic Trace" (5:30)
6."No Escape" (4:58)
7."One of Us" (3:59)
8."Behind the Mirror" (4:31)

Tighter, faster, more technical. Kreator are one mean thrash machine and "Terrible Certainty" is one of their best releases ever.

Out of the Dark... Kreator-Out of the Dark...Into the Light (Noise) 1988

1."Impossible to Cure" (2:37)
2."Lambs to the Slaughter" (3:30)
3."Terrible Certainty"-live (5:01)
4."Riot of Violence"-live (5:27)
5."Awakening of the Gods"-live (7:40)
6. "Flag of Hate" -live (3:52)
7. "Love Us or Hate Us" -live (4:37)
8. "Behind the Mirror" -live (4:46)

From what I understand there is more than one version of this CD EP. Another version features only three live tracks but includes the Tygers of Pan Tang cover song "Gangland" which was also released on the b-side of the "Behind the Mirror" single. This particular version features six excellent live songs including the song "Love Us or Hate Us" which actually did not come out until their next disc, "Extreme Aggression." "Out of the Dark..." is a stellar EP by Germany's premier thrashers. "Lambs to the Slaughter" is a Raven cover.

Extreme Aggression Kreator-Extreme Aggression (Noise) 1989

1."Extreme Aggression" (4:43)
2."No Reason to Exist" (4:34)
3."Love Us or Hate Us" (3:40)
4."Stream of Consciousness" (3:51)
5."Some Pain Will Last" (5:35)
6."Betrayer" (3:58)
7."Don't Trust" (3:43)
8."Bringer of Torture" (2:15)
9."Fatal Energy" (4:54)

Despite my copy being on Noise, this was actually Kreator's major label debut on Epic Records. With all eyes on them, and I am sure, all label executives pushing for sales and singles, Kreator did not sell out. The production is cleaner than anything they had done before, but besides this, "Extreme Aggression" is everything that their first few albums were. Excellent!

Coma of Souls Kreator-Coma of Souls (Noise) 1990

1."When the Sun Burns Red" (5:30)
2."Coma of Souls" (4:18)
3."People of the Lie" (3:15)
4."World Beyond" (2:02)
5."Terror Zone" (5:56)
6."Agents of Brutality" (5:17)
7."Material World Paranoia" (5:00)
8."Twisted Urges" (2:46)
9."Hidden Dictator" (4:49)
10."Mental Slavery" (5:44)

One of the all time greatest thrash albums! Not much more needs to be said. Good thing I own the cd, 'cause the record would be worn out!

Renewel Kreator-Renewel (Futurist) 1992

1."Winter Martyrium" (5:43)
2."Renewal" (4:35)
3."Reflection" (6:15)
4."Brainseed" (3:16)
5."Karmic Wheel" (6:05)
6."Realit?tskontrolle"-instrumental (1:22)
7."Zero to None" (3:11)
8."Europe After the Rain" (3:18)
9."Depression Unrest" (5:04)

Everybody I have ever asked hates this album, but I like it. Kreator still sounds like Kreator but they have added some industrial elements and have experimented a bit with their sound on this one. I dig the high snappy snare sound and the classy, more mature song structures. I put later day Kreator somewhere between Slayer and Voivod. Found this disc relatively cheap ($3.99) after owning a crappy cassette copy forever.

Kreator-Cause for Conflict (G.U.N.) digi-pack 1995

1."Prevail" (3:58)
2."Catholics Despot" (3:23)
3."Progressive Proletarians" (3:24)
4."Crisis of Disorder" (4:23)
5."Hate Inside Your Head" (3:33)
6."Bomb Threat" (1:46)
7."Men Without God" (3:45)
8."Lost" (3:35)
9."Dogmatic" (1:27)
10."Sculpture of Regret" (2:59)
11."Celestial Deliverance" (3:14)
12."State Oppression" (1:38)
13."Isolation" (11:56)

I really like this album, although it is very similar to "Renewel." My copy is a digi-pack version, which I suppose is cool, but I actually like regular cds better as digi's tend to get messed up like record covers use to. A few of the songs on this disc have a Sepultura sound to them. There's 2-minutes of silence in the middle of "Isolation", followed by a long series of strange animal noises. It's funny cause it freaks my dog out every time I play it. Drives 'em absolutely batty.

Endorama Kreator-Endorama (Pavement) 1999

1. "Golden Age" (4:52)
2. "Endorama" (3:20)
3. "Shadowland" (4:27)
4. "Chosen Few" (4:30)
5. "Everlasting Flame" (5:23)
6. "Passage to Babylon" (4:24)
7. "Future Ring" (4:44)
8. "Entry" (1:05)
9. "Soul Eraser" (4:30)
10. "Willing Spirit" (4:36)
11. "Pandemonium" (4:10)
12. "Tyranny" (3:59)

By 1999 most thrash bands have either disappeared, changed to become more radio friendly or remained true to their style, which unfortunately relegates the band to the underground status. Kreator have not disappeared, but they have not become radio friendly either. Rather what the band attempted to do was create their own sound taking their classic thrash roots and mixing it with some industrial and other modern styles. Perhaps I am getting old, but I really dig this "toned down," more melodic style. Also enjoyed reading through the thoughtful, and very personal, lyrics. I'm sure die-hard fans were not happy with the style change, both musically and lyrically, but I think it works well for them.

Voices of Transgression Kreator-Voices of Transgression-A 90's Retrospective (Pavement) 2000

1. " Lucretia (My Reflection)" (5:23)
2. "The Chosen Few" (4:30)
3. "Isolation" [edit] (4:15)
4. "Leave This World Behind" (3:29)
5. "Golden Age" (4:51)
6. "Bomb Threat" (1:46)
7. "Phobia" (3:22)
8. "Whatever It May Take" (3:48)
9. "Renewal" (4:40)
10. "Lost" (3:34)
11. "Hate Inside Your Head" (3:39)
12. "Inferno" (2:28)
13. "Outcast" (4:51)
14. "State Oppression" (1:38)
15. "Endorama" (3:20)
16. "Black Sunrise" (4:31)
17. "As We Watch the West" (4:56)

A 'best of' package featuring mostly material from 1992 'Renewel,' 1995's 'Cause for Conflict,' 1997's 'Outcast,' and 1999's 'Endorama.' Despite the title "a 90's Retrospective" there are no tracks present from 1990's "Coma of Souls.' There are three tracks that are suppose to be exclusive to this compilation; "Inferno," "State Oppression," and "As We Watch the West." "State Oppression," however has been released on some versions of 'Cause for Conflict.' The compilation actually does a pretty good job of picking out the best from the four albums featured.

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