Album Review: Kreator – Krushers of the World (Nuclear Blast Records)

Metal legends, Kreator, are back with their brand-new (and sixteenth) album, ‘Krushers of the World’. Out on January 16th, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records.

Sixteen albums in and not just sounding stronger than ever but sounding more relevant than ever. Kreator needs no introduction (for most, I imagine), and on this new album, they show just why their name is synonymous with quality metal.

Let’s get something out of the way straight away. If you’re looking for ground-breaking modern metal, then you’re in the wrong place. Kreator create fast-paced, head-banging inducing, thrash-infused heavy freaking metal, and they do it in an old-school way, while being unafraid to include evolutionary touches here and there.

Unlike many others, they rarely take missteps and because of that, are regarded as one of the most consistent bands in the world. Which means most will go into this album with high expectations. I certainly did.

Expectations well and truly met. Krushers of the World isn’t just a cool title, it’s a f**king statement of intent and across ten tracks, Kreator prove (again) that they are untouchable.

Let me explain.

The bar is blown sky-freaking-high from the start with Seven Serpents as an explosion of manic riffing, brain-busting drumbeats, and scathing vocal power hits with force. It’s a potent opener, especially when you throw in dashes of melody, a colossal chorus, a tight guitar solo, and even gang vocal shouts. However, as much as I love this opener, it’s the following Satanic Anarchy that really gets my blood pumping and head banging. Not just because of the speed and intensity of both the instruments and vocals, but because of just how anthemic the chorus is.

Both those tracks show unequivocally just how strong Kreator’s music continues to be, but there’s still so much more to come. Mille’s vocals are immense on the title track, and even though the chorus is fairly standard stuff, it has still got head banging appeal. Then there is Tränenpalast, a homage to horror maestro Dario Argento’s 1977 cult film Suspiria. Where thrash heaviness, a catchy chorus, and guest Britta Görtz of Hiraes combine to make it another memorable listen.

Do you want riffs? Hooks? Solos? Fist raising heaviness and speed? The album continues to deliver gold-plated heavy metal with the likes of Barbarian, Blood of Our Blood, and Combatants. You may not expect Kreator to have as many infectious choruses as they have here, but there you go.

Do you know what else Kreator have up their sleeves? A rich epic called Psychotic Imperator. This one uses a choir in very cool fashion. It also happens to have one of the album’s best soloing sections. Finally, it’s Deathscream, a punchy drum-led blast that has a ‘call and response’ chorus that will slay live, and Loyal to the Grave, one hell of a cinematic closer.

To the surprise of no-one who has paid attention to Kreator over the decades, Krushers of the World is another slab of high-quality metal. Where innovation is irrelevant when it compared to exciting and infectious head bangers. They are called legends for a reason.

Kreator – Krushers of the World Track Listing:

1. Seven Serpents
2. Satanic Anarchy
3. Krushers of the World
4. Tränenpalast
5. Barbarian
6. Blood of Our Blood
7. Combatants
8. Psychotic Imperator
9. Deathscream
10. Loyal to the Grave

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