Kreator were formed in Essen, Germany in 1982, calling themselves Tyrant and then Tormentor before settling on Kreator prior to signing with Noise records in 1985. Influenced by Venom, Slayer and Metallica, Kreator’s early sound was raw and ragged and similar to fellow countrymen Destruction and Sodom who, along with Kreator, were the mainstays of a burgeoning German scene which dominated European thrash in the mid-1980s. Kreator’s debut Endless Pain was a significant underground success but it was with the release of the follow up Pleasure To Kill the following year that the band garnered international acclaim. Terrible Certainty followed in ’87 and remains what many fans consider to be the band’s best album. 1989’s Extreme Aggression maintained the momentum which had propelled Kreator from the grimy streets of their hometown to their first US tour and regular rotation on MTV.
The release of Coma Of Souls in 1990 was the first time that the band faltered, issuing an album which some critics felt to be rushed and somewhat repetitive. This foreshadowed an uncertain phase in their career when the band responded to changes in the mainstream metal scene by shifting their sound in a more experimental direction, incorporating elements of industrial and death metal which alienated much of their established fan base. Renewal (1992), Cause For Conflict (’95), Outcast (’97) and Endorama (’99) all deviated from the band’s ‘80s sound, and by the end of the ‘90s they looked close to collapse.
In 2001, however, Kreator stormed back to form with their comeback album Violent Revolution which saw them return to the classic thrash style. 2005’s Enemy Of God continued a renaissance which looks set to culminate with the just-released Hordes Of Chaos, another slice of old-school thrash brutality from one of the best in the business.
Kreator mainman Mille Petrozza sent the following message:
“We have heard a lot about the Bloodstock Festival. Only good things! A British mega event that is about music, not about the latest flavour of the week. Made by metal fans for metal fans. Now the time has come, Bloodstock must be destroyed! We’re looking forward to finally doing so with the metal heads that will make this day an unforgettable experience! The Hordes of Chaos shall kill! Be there!â€
KREATOR – It’s Time To Raise The Flag Of Hate - BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2009.
Line up so far: AMON AMARTH, APOCALYPTICA, ARCH ENEMY, BATTLELORE, CANDLEMASS, CARCASS, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, ENSLAVED, GWAR, KATATONIA, KREATOR,
MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD, MOONSPELL, MUNICIPAL WASTE, SABATON, SATYRICON, SAXON, TURISAS, THE HAUNTED, WINTERSUN ...plus many more to be announced
Date: 14th, 15th, 16th August 2009
Location: Catton Hall, Walton on Trent, Derbyshire
For all latest news and to purchase your tickets go to www.bloodstock.uk.com
