Gods of Violence

Gods of Violence, released in 2017, represents the culmination of Kreator's 'melodic thrash' era which began in earnest with 2001's Violent Revolution. As their fourteenth studio effort, it arrived after the longest recording gap in the band's history, and the pent-up energy is palpable. Produced by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, the album features a world-class sonic clarity that highlights the intricate guitar interplay between Mille Petrozza and Sami Yli-Sirniö. The record is notable for its inclusion of non-traditional metal elements, such as the harp on the title track and the involvement of the Flemish orchestra on several arrangements. Critically, it was hailed as a late-career triumph, reaching number one on the German charts - a first for the band. It successfully synthesizes the brutality of their Pleasure to Kill era with the sophisticated, almost power-metal adjacent melodies they explored in the 2010s.