KREATOR — Phantom Antichrist (review)

KREATOR — Phantom Antichrist album cover Album · 2012 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Phantom Antichrist" is the 13th full-length studio album by German thrash metal act Kreator. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in June 2012. When the arguably most successful part of the unholy teutonic triumvirate (read: Kreator, Sodom, Destruction) release a new album it always creates quite the stir. Kreator are a highly respected band both among critics and fans, which has been especially evident after the return to their thrash metal roots with "Violent Revolution" in 2001. If the more experimental albums of the nineties seriously challenged their position, "Violent Revolution (2001)" and every album released since have received praise and have ultimately restored Kreator´s reputation as the leading German thrash metal act.

..."Phantom Antichrist" doesn´t do anything to challenge that position either as the music on the album pretty much follows the same formula that was initiated on "Violent Revolution". A return to the speedy thrash metal riffing of the eighties but with a more melodic almost melodeath like approach. In other words a mature form of thrash metal, that while it certainly is aggressive and hard edged, is also varied and as mentioned melodic. Tracks like "From Flood into Fire" and "Until Our Paths Cross Again" show the more varied "mature" songwriting that Kreator are also capable of while tracks like "Civilazation Collapse" and the title track are full throttle yet sophisticated thrash metal like we expect from the band. I´m well entertained throughout the whole album though, so we´re talking high quality all the way.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Miland "Mille" Petrozza almost exclusively sings using his characteristic sneering raw voice, but there are a few excursions into clean vocal territory on the album too.

The sound production is powerful, the musicianship is solid and at moments even excellent (take a listen to the skillfully played and melodic guitar solos by Sami Yli-Sirniö) and the songwriting strong and varied. In terms of standing out in the discography, I wouldn´t say "Phantom Antichrist" is a revelation of the band´s signature sound but rather a continuation of the style of the last couple of albums. Probably to the great joy of most fans of the band. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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