Kreator History

Kreator formed as Tyrant in 1982 in Essen, Germany. The original lineup featured Vocalist/guitarist Mille Petrozza, drummer Jurgen 'Ventor' Reil, and bassist Rob Fioretti. They soon changed their name to Tormentor and released two demos. They signed to Noise Records in 1985 and recorded their debut album, Endless Pain, in just 10 days. The band hired the late Sodom guitarist Michael Wulf for the albums tour.

The band's next album, 1986's Pleasure to Kill is widely considered a thrash classic. Arguably one of the heaviest, fastest albums in metal, while showing the band growing in talent and technical ability. The song "Flag of Hate" became an early hit, and the band became one of the most promising up-and-coming European metal acts.

In 1987 Kreator released Terrible Certainty, which is often considered to be Kreator's best album. Featuring a new guitarist Jörg Trzebiatowski, the arrangements on the album were more complex and the tempos more varied. The album featured another hit "Behind The Mirror", and the band's popularity continued to grow. They managed to find enough time and money to record an EP Out of the Dark ... Into the Light.

In 1988 Kreator signed with major label Epic Records. Their debut with Epic, 1989's Extreme Aggression, became a metal hit. Continuing the Terrible Certainty formula while showing the band still progressing musically and with better production by Randy Burns, the album featured the band's first major singles and music videos, the title track and "Betrayer", becoming major hits on MTVs Headbangers Ball. They toured North America with Suicidal Tendencies, which greatly expanded their popularity outside of Europe.

In 1990, with new guitarist Frank Gosdzik (also formely of Sodom), the band released Coma of Souls. This album was not quite as praised as the bands previous few albums (many felt the album was "rushed" and repetitive), but still managed to do quite well, with "People of the Lie" becoming a hit. However, things changed in the 90's. With many other thrash bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and others changing their sound for a more commercial approach, Kreator began experimenting with death metal and industrial metal around this time.

The result was 1992s Renewal, which featured heavy death metal and industrial influences. While reaching a newer, more commercial audience, the band upset many longtime fans, accusing them of "selling out". The band, once known for being an excellent live act, had disappointing shows and tours for this album due to the industrial influences.

The band began to fall apart around this time, Fioretti left the band after the recording of the album and was replaced by Andreas Herz. In 1994 Reil left as well, leaving Petrozza the sole original bandmember. Reil was replaced by Joe Cangelosi. Herz left in 1995 and was replaced by Christian Giesler. To make matters worse, their contract with Epic was dropped. Now on GUN Records The new lineup put out the album Cause for Conflict that year. The sound on this album had influences from Pantera and Machine Head, a slight return to a harsher sound than on the previous album.

Gosdzik and Cangelosi left in 1996 and were replaced by Tommy Vetterli and, surprisingly, Jurgen Reil. The band continued to experiment with their sound, releasing Outcast and Endorama, both of which experimented with goth and ambient influences. It also retained the groove metal influences.

However, in 2001, with new guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö, the band released their "comeback" album Violent Revolution, which saw the band returning to their classic thrash style. It was praised by fans and critics alike. The tour was extremely successful and introduced Kreator to a younger generation of metal fans. A live album Live Kreation and live DVD Live Kreation: Revisioned Glory were released in 2003, and a new studio album Enemy of God was released in 2005.