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Most bands that have been around for two-plus decades eventually find themselves at a bit of a crossroads, which leads to experimentation of one's sound. Metallica did it, as did Megadeth. And the same can be said for Teutonic thrashers Kreator. After nearly a decade of experimenting with their sound, starting with the industrial-tinged "Renewal" in 1992, and concluding with the gothic metal-influenced "Endorama" in 1991, Mike Petrozza finally returned to blistering form in 2001, with said year's tenth studio long-player, "Violent Revolution."
Sure, this album might arguably fuse in some elements borrowed from the Swedish melodic death metal scene, but for the most part, it is a full-on, rip-roaring thrash-fest from start to finish. The guitars dominate the maelstrom, providing the listener with heaping portions fiery, bone-crunching licks and exceptional solos. The bass has a part in the music, as even though it is not overly-dominate, it furthers the guitars' crunch, thus also helping to make the album a heavier and fuller-sounding one. And the same could also be said about the drummer, Jurgen "Ventor" Rell, who thrashes with reckless abandon all throughout this set's fifty-six-and-a-half-minute-long playing time.
Early standout "Reconquering The Throne" sets the tone really well for the rest of the album, with its blistering-yet-catchy call-and-response riffing, fiery leads, banging skins, and catchy (and nearly anthemic) choruses. "Violent Revolution" (the song) follows this up in suitable fashion, as it is an irresistibly hooky mosh-pit anthem, and overflows with strong hooks and guitar crunch. The track adheres to a mid-tempo pace, but it is still plenty heavy, thanks to its abundance of fiery, chugging, headbangable guitar licks. And it is further highlighted by a stirring, memorable chorus, some good guitar harmonies, a good, winding melodic solo, and a catchy, rhythmic, martial-sounding drum beat. But whatever restraint the title track shows is soon smashed to bits by the proceeding "All Of The Same Blood (Unity)," which is a blistering ripper of a song with white-hot, buzzsaw-fast guitar leads and fiery soloing galore. The tune is also of note from a lyrical perspective, as it is highlighted by some fairly intelligent, war-themed lyrics.
Things then settle back down for the next song, "Servant In Heaven/King In Hell," a steady, mid-tempo, workmanlike cruncher that will have the whole crowd headbanging along to its hooks in unison. Some exceptional (and surprisingly melodic) guitar solos come ripping through the mix, here, as well. Later on comes another huge highlight in track number eight, "Replicas Of Life," which begins as a serene acoustic ballad before diving headlong into blistering tempos, blinding, propulsive, barn-burning riffage, and two guitar solos. (One of which is a fast, wildly careening solo in the same vein as Slayer, and the other is a lengthy, ripping, winding solo, thus making it quite possibly the record's best.) Others include the terrifically ominous crunch of "Second Awakening"; "Ghetto War," which, in a very At The Gates-esque move, threads catchy, galloping rhythms with tasty melodic leads; the face-ripping "Bitter Sweet Revenge"; and the irresistibly hooky, hoof-pounding thrash-it-out ending that is "System Decay."
Even with the recent resurgence of thrash metal in the new millennium, which led to an onslaught of modern thrashers from all over the map dominating the heavy music airwaves, Kreator still stand out. Not only does "Violent Revolution" continuously push the intensity levels to the red, it is also chock full of impeccable musicianship, memorable riffs and strong hooks, thus helping to make this good album a definite standout in the band's discography. Indeed, all purveyors of thrash and speed metal should definitely jump aboard this "Revolution."
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Amazon Customer
Buen producto, vendedor genial.
Reviewed in Spain on January 18, 2023Haidar Moubayed
KREATOR ARE BACK TO THEIR BEST.
Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2005
