Album Review: Kreator - London Apocalypticon - Live At The Roundhouse
Reviewed by Neil Bolton
Recorded at the London Roundhouse on the 16th December 2018, thrash metal gods Kreator arrive with a new live album. Now I assume there is no point at all describing the type of music these legendary Germans play. If you are reading this, you know what they do.
Supporting the album 'Gods of Violence', Kreator undertook a world wide tour, with massive satanic imagery, large amount of flames and opulent amounts of violence. This album is recorded on that tour.
Kreator are an incredible force live. From long time loyal anoraks to occasional fans just having a go, all enjoy and revel in the aggression that Mille Petrozza seems able to muster at every performance. And to be honest, the intense live performance does not stop at their enigmatic singer, the whole band gives 100%. After entering the stage Kreator blast straight into 'Enemy of God' from their eleventh album of the same name. You know what you’re getting and you get it. Loud, fast and aggressive. Whipping the crowd up early on Milli sets to work.
Into ‘Hail to the Hordes' from 2017, this song is a salute to the loyal fans of the band. 'Awakening of the Gods' begins after a little more crowd participation to the cries of “Kill each other!!!!” This alway makes me smile. This is the first visit in the set to old school material, but certainly not the last. This is still performed as raw and violent as it was in 1986, although this is an audio recording of this show you can see in your mind a pulsing crazy horn-throwing mass of people having the night of their lives. Crashing into each other in pits all over the Roundhouse Theatre.
Following a reasonable number of old school sings we arrive in 2017 and 2016 respectively. An era that some fans suggest is not as devastating as their older releases. I, on the other hand, disagree and find both 'Gods of Violence' and 'Satan is Real' killer tracks. Bangers you might say.
The song selection for the whole album is picked from their massive catalogue, so if you really are going to persist in only liking old school Kreator you won’t have to wait long. Talking of old school, the thrash titans complete their set with the have to classic 'Pleasure to Kill'. I am sure this caused an already knackered pit to give its final all.
“This is your last chance to fucking kill each other” screams Milli. Although, I am certain its not; Kreator will never die!
London Apocalypticon - Live at the Roundhouse loudly displays Kreator as not only a main component of the teutonic four, but a huge player in the world thrash scene.
Kreator release 'London Apocalypticon - Live at the Roundhouse' via Nuclear Blast this Valentines Day, 14th February.
