UMUR
"Endorama" is the 9th full-length studio album by German heavy metal/ thrash metal act Kreator. The album was released by Drakkar Records in September 1999. There have been no changes in the lineup since "Outcast (1997)", so it´s still former Coroner guitarist Tommy Vetterli who compliments lead vocalist/ guitarist Mille Petrozza as the second axeman. "Outcast" wasn´t exactly received with praise by neither the critics nor the fans and I remember the responses to "Endorama" were also mixed. While Kreator were obviously pursuing personal creative goals at this point in their career, they were in the process also alienating quite a few fans.
The music on "Endorama" is a mix of heavy metal, goth metal and thrash metal with a slight industrial edge. The thrash metal elements are toned down to a minimum while the goth metal elements are very prominent in the music. I´m often reminded of the late 90s/ early 00s Paradise Lost (who themselves were greatly influenced by acts like The Sisters of Mercy and Fields of the Nephilim) and at times an act like Killing Joke. Mille Petrozza´s usual caustic sneer is for the most part replaced by a more subtle clean and darker singing style. He occasionally shouts in a more aggressive style too though.
The album is quite consistent in quality and style and most tracks are memorable and even though most of the tracks are not kick ass thrashy like the older material by the band they come off inspired and intriguing to my ears. The full on goth metal styled tracks like "Passage to Babylon" and "Willing Spirit" work very well but heavier tracks like "Golden Age" and "Soul Eraser" also get the job done. One of the most memorable tracks on the album is "Everlasting Flame" which features some effectful programmed orchestration. "Chosen Few" is another standout track IMO.
The album features a professional and detailed production that suits the music well.
"Endorama" is another nineties Kreator album that divides the waters but I´ve always enjoyed the album. Especially compared to the forgettable "Outcast" which I was never able to appreciate. "Endorama" marks the end of the band´s "experimental" period and they would return to their thrash metal roots on the next album. Probably a wise move considering how relatively poorly received most of their nineties studio albums were ("Endorama" included). Allthough I also generally prefer Kreator´s more thrashy material I actually think "Endorama" is a pretty succesful artistic statement and a 3.5 star rating is deserved.