The thrash metal legends that are KREATOR are back and near enough four years to the date after their last release, they release their 12th studio album in the form of ‘Hordes of Chaos’. ‘Hordes of Chaos’ was always facing an uphill battle to compete with their last album, ‘Enemy of God’ which was absolutley brilliant from start to finish and one of the best thrash albums I had heard in recent years, and unsurprisingly it doesn’t beat it. That’s not to say its absolute rubbish, far from it. ‘Hordes of Chaos’ is a very good thrash album and there are some absolute cracking tracks contained on this which will destroy any arena when played live. ‘Hordes of Chaos’ is solid from start to finish and full of traits you associate with KREATOR. Mille Petrozza’s vocals have lost none of their aggressive style, and if possible sound more aggressive than ever before.

The production has gone slightly downhill compared to previous releases this decade and after reading how it was done, I can understand why that is. The last time the band recorded like that was back in 1986 on the ‘Pleasure to Kill’ opus, and as such adds some nostalgia and more uniqueness to it for a modern day record. Recorded in a live setting using a 4-track analog tape recorder with no overdubbing, and to get that clarity without any tweaks by computers is absolutely amazing and credit has to go to the band. They have shown here how tight they are and along with a few other bands from the original thrash years, still can cut it and show the up comers how its done.

Opening and also title track ‘Hordes of Chaos’ is a superb opening number, which will more than likely open up their set on their next tour, gradually building up from the melodic guitars changing into thrash riffs. The album gets stronger after that with more stunning tracks in the form of ‘Warcurse’, where Mille is somewhere between shouting and screaming the word Warcurse when necessary. Another standout track (and we are only 3 tracks in) on the album is ‘Escalation’. This is just fast from start to finish, continuing the relentless speed at which the album has taken off so far.

The album slows things down with ‘Amok Run’ with a beautiful intro courtesy of Sami Yli-Sirnio and a more softer vocal approach from Mille, albeit for a minute or so, before the crunching guitar riffs kick in and its fully warmed up into the frenzied pace of the track, similar to the style of ‘Voices of The Dead’ from the last album. Not only are the majority of the tracks here very good, they are catchy each in their own way, from the riffs of ‘Destroy What Destroys You’ to the groovy pace of ‘To The Afterborn’. Just you try and not headbang and play air guitar to any of the tracks on this album. From the first listen you will find yourself doing it!

The album draws to a close with an interlude (‘Corpses of Liberty’) as the penultimate track which merges with the closure of the previous track (‘To The Afterborn’). It doesn’t, though, build into the next and final track of the album, and if it doesn’t do this, then to have it at such a position on the album seems a bit pointless to be honest. Still, album closer ‘Demon Prince’ is a cracking way to close the album. The way it changes tempo with such ease at times without sounding wrong is credit to KREATOR’s ability and the ending has some sublime more melodic riffs, with Mille ending it off in one last energetic explosion of aggression, with all the members playing like its the end of a live show. Simply awesome.

‘Hordes of Chaos’ picks up where KREATOR left of with ‘Enemy of God’ and evolves their sound further with more melodic riffs, thrash riffs and combining the dual guitar attack and brutal drum bashing, this is going to one of the albums of the year without question, and any KREATOR fan or thrash fan in general needs to own this. It’s simply a brilliant album. I, for one am excited once more to see KREATOR play live with some new tracks in the set ready to destroy any venue they play. Whilst the old school thrash bands like KREATOR, TESTAMENT, EXODUS and DESTRUCTION amongst others are still writing awesome albums, and with the up and coming bands like EVILE and GAMA BOMB, the future of thrash looks very promising indeed! What a way to start 2009! Here’s hoping for more of the same calibre.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Release Date: 19/1/2009

Review By Adam Fredericks