Kreator ist eine deutsche Thrash-Metal- Band aus Essen , die 1982 gegründet wurde. [ 1 ] Die aktuelle Besetzung besteht aus Sänger und Rhythmusgitarrist Miland „Mille“ Petrozza , Schlagzeuger Jürgen „Ventor“ Reil , Leadgitarrist Sami Yli-Sirniö und Bassist Frédéric Leclercq . Die Bandbesetzung hat sich im Laufe ihrer Geschichte mehrfach geändert.Kreator blickt auf eine 44-jährige Karriere zurück, insbesondere durch ihre Bassisten und Leadgitarristen. Petrozza und Reil sind die einzigen beiden verbliebenen Gründungsmitglieder, wobei Reil die Band 1994 verließ, aber 1996 zurückkehrte. Yli-Sirniö ist seit 2001 Leadgitarrist bei Kreator, während Leclercq 2019 als Nachfolger von Christian „Speesy“ Giesler, der seit 1994 in der Band war, hinzukam.

Kreator hat bisher sechzehn Studioalben, zwei EPs, zwei Live-Alben und drei Kompilationsalben veröffentlicht. Sie erspielten sich eine große Underground-Fangemeinde innerhalb der internationalen Thrash-Metal-Szene [ 2 ] , wobei ihr zweites Studioalbum „Pleasure to Kill “ (1986) als einflussreiches Album des Genres gilt. [ 1 ] [ 3 ] Viele ihrer nachfolgenden Alben – darunter „Terrible Certainty“ (1987), „Extreme Aggression “ (1989) und „Coma of Souls “ (1990) – wurden ebenfalls hochgelobt. [ 4 ] Obwohl Kreator eine einflussreiche Band sind [ 5 ] und als eine der ersten europäischen Thrash-Metal-Bands bei einem Major-Label unter Vertrag genommen wurden (1988 bei Epic Records ), erlangten sie erst mit späteren Alben, darunter ihrem dreizehnten Studioalbum „Phantom Antichrist“ (2012) und dessen Nachfolger „Gods of Violence“ (2017), größere Bekanntheit. Beide Alben erreichten in vielen Ländern hohe Chartplatzierungen, wobei letzteres in Deutschland sogar Platz eins der Charts belegte . [ 4 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Ihr letztes Studioalbum „ Krushers of the World “ erschien am 16. Januar 2026. [ 8 ]

Kreator hat mit ihren Alben weltweit über zwei Millionen Einheiten verkauft und zählt damit zu den erfolgreichsten deutschen Thrash-Metal-Bands aller Zeiten. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] Zusammen mit Destruction , Sodom und Tankard gelten sie als eine der „Big Four“ des deutschen Thrash Metal . [ 12 ] Sie trugen maßgeblich zur Entwicklung und Popularisierung der deutschen Thrash-Metal-Szene bei und leisteten Pionierarbeit für die damals aufkommenden Genres Death Metal und Black Metal Mitte der 1980er Jahre. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] Die Redaktion von Loudwire wählte sie 2016 zur 31. besten Metal-Band aller Zeiten. [ 15 ] 2025 nahm Zahra Huselid von Screen Rant die Band in die Liste der „10 besten Thrash-Metal-Bands, die nicht zu den Big Four gehören“ auf. [ 16 ]

Geschichte

Gründung und erste Veröffentlichungen (1982–1987)

The band was originally formed in 1982 as Metal Militia in Essen, Germany, and then became Tyrant. Later they used the name Tormentor until 1984, when they changed to its current name Kreator. The original line-up featured lead vocalist and guitarist Mille Petrozza, drummer Jürgen "Ventor" Reil, and bassist Rob Fioretti. Kreator recorded their debut album, Endless Pain (1985), in just ten days.[1] The band hired future Sodom guitarist Michael Wulf for the album's tour to play lead, while Petrozza switched to rhythm guitar.

Wulf was only in the band for a few days but, contrary to the liner notes, he did not play on the band's second album Pleasure to Kill (1986), which is widely considered a thrash classic,[17][18][1] and a big influence on the death metal genre.[19][3][20] It would not be until 31 years after its release that Pleasure to Kill entered the German album charts.[4] Produced by Harris Johns (who had also worked with Sodom, Helloween and Voivod), the album showed the band growing in talent and technical ability. The song "Flag of Hate" became a concert standard, and the band became one of the most promising up-and-coming European metal acts. The band started their first tour ever (prior to the release of Pleasure to Kill, they had only played five gigs total); they played their first shows outside of Germany during the fall of 1986, touring Europe with Destruction and Celtic Frost, and in the spring of 1987, they toured North America for the first time, supporting Voivod on their Killing Technology tour.[21] Kreator's first EP, Flag of Hate, was also released in 1986. The band would become a quartet with the addition of guitarist Jörg "Tritze" Trzebiatowski.[1]

Rising popularity (1987–1991)

1987 veröffentlichten Kreator ihr drittes Studioalbum „ Terrible Certainty “, das aufgrund der komplexeren Arrangements und abwechslungsreicheren Tempi oft als qualitativ hochwertiges Album gilt. [ 22 ] Das Album enthielt mit „Behind the Mirror“ einen weiteren Hit. Die Popularität der Band wuchs weiter, und das Musikvideo zu „Toxic Trace“ wurde auf MTV ausgestrahlt . Dank der Einnahmen aus ihren Konzerten konnten sie 1988 die EP „ Out of the Dark… Into the Light “ finanzieren. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt tourten Kreator bereits als Headliner und spielten in Theatern und Arenen mit Bands wie Megadeth , Voivod, Overkill , DRI und Holy Terror . [ 21 ]

Das Berliner Independent-Label Noise Records lizenzierte Kreator für die Gebiete außerhalb Europas und Japans an das Major-Label Epic Records , bei dem die Band 1988 unter Vertrag genommen wurde. Ihr viertes Studioalbum und Debüt bei Epic (zumindest in einigen Gebieten), „ Extreme Aggression“ , aufgenommen in Los Angeles, wurde nach seiner Veröffentlichung 1989 in Europa ein Metal-Hit. In Deutschland schaffte es das Album jedoch erst 28 Jahre später in die Charts. [ 4 ] Das Album führte die Erfolgsformel von „Terrible Certainty“ fort und entwickelte sich musikalisch weiter, dank der besseren Produktion des renommierten Produzenten Randy Burns (der unter anderem auch mit Megadeth, Possessed , Nuclear Assault , Death und Dark Angel zusammengearbeitet hatte ). Es enthielt die ersten großen Singles der Band: den Titelsong „Betrayer“ und die Radio-Single „Love Us or Hate Us“. Letztere erhielt Unterstützung vom südkalifornischen Radiosender KNAC , und das Video zu „Betrayer“ wurde in der MTV-Sendung „ Headbangers Ball“ ausgestrahlt . [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] Dies sowie das Spielen mit Bands wie King Diamond , Raven , Coroner , Suicidal Tendencies , Death und Sadus trugen maßgeblich zu ihrer Popularität außerhalb Deutschlands bei. [ 21 ] [ 23 ]

Ebenfalls 1989 drehte der deutsche Regisseur Thomas Schadt einen Dokumentarfilm über Kreator (mit Fokus auf den sozialen Aspekt des Heavy Metal im Ruhrgebiet ) mit dem Titel „Thrash Altenessen “ (benannt nach der Heimatstadt der Band, einem Vorort von Essen). Tritze verließ Kreator nach der Veröffentlichung von „Extreme Aggression“ . 1990 veröffentlichte die Band mit dem neuen Gitarristen Frank „Blackfire“ Gosdzik (damals noch bei Sodom ) ihr fünftes Studioalbum „ Coma of Souls“ , das erneut von Burns produziert wurde. Das Album wurde nicht ganz so hoch gelobt wie die vorherigen Alben der Band (viele empfanden es als „gehetzt“ und repetitiv) [ 1 ] , verkaufte sich aber dennoch gut und erfreute sich anhaltender Popularität. Die Singles „When the Sun Burns Red“ und „People of the Lie“ wurden zu Hits.

Experimente (1992–2000)

Anfang der 1990er-Jahre sank die Popularität des traditionellen Thrash Metal, der vom Grunge abgelöst wurde . 1992 wurde Kreator von ihrem US-Vertrag mit CBS/Sony Music , dem damaligen Label von Bands wie Alice in Chains und Pearl Jam , entbunden . Ihr sechstes Studioalbum „ Renewal “ erschien im Herbst desselben Jahres und war von Heavy Death Metal und Industrial- Einflüssen geprägt. [ 26 ] Obwohl die Band ein neues Publikum erreichte, verärgerte sie viele langjährige Fans, die ihr „ Ausverkauf “ vorwarfen. [ 27 ] [ 28 ] Infolge der negativen Reaktionen auf das Album sank Kreators Popularität. [ 29 ]

Auch die Besetzung erfuhr bedeutende Veränderungen. Gründungsmitglied Roberto Fioretti verließ die Band nach den Albumaufnahmen und wurde durch Andreas Herz ersetzt. 1994 schied auch Reil aus, sodass Petrozza als einziges verbliebenes Gründungsmitglied übrig blieb. Reil wurde durch Joe Cangelosi ersetzt, während Herz im selben Jahr ausschied und durch Christian „Speesy“ Giesler ersetzt wurde. In dieser Zeit beendeten Kreator ihren Vertrag mit Noise Records und unterschrieben bei GUN Records . Die neue Besetzung veröffentlichte 1995 das Album „ Cause for Conflict“. Die Songs waren stark von Bands wie Pantera und Machine Head beeinflusst und wiesen auch einige Ähnlichkeiten mit Renewal auf . [ 26 ]

Gosdzik and Cangelosi left in 1996 and were replaced by Tommy Vetterli (then-formerly of Coroner) and a returning Reil, respectively. The band performed at Wacken Open Air this year.[30] Kreator continued to experiment, producing Outcast (1997) and Endorama (1999) with ambient and gothic influences and incorporating samples and loops. However, record sales went down, and by the end of the 1990s, the band had reached commercial and critical nadir. Despite that, Petrozza was quoted as stating: "For us, success doesn't define in record sales. So all our albums have been successful for us, because we've achieved what we were aiming for."[28]

Return in style (2001–2009)

Kreator performing live at Hole in the Sky in 2007

In 2001, with Sami Yli-Sirniö replacing Tommy Vetterli on guitar, Kreator released their tenth studio album, Violent Revolution, which saw the band return to its classic thrash metal style. Despite containing a lot of melodic and so-called "Gothenburg metal" riffs, Violent Revolution was praised highly by fans and critics alike and benefited from the 2000s thrash metal revival movement, led by Overkill, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, and Testament.[31][32][33][34][35] The tour was extremely successful and introduced Kreator to a younger generation of metal fans. Yli-Sirniö, who lived in Germany, was known to be a good guitar player, so the band recruited him.[36] They played Wacken Open Air in 2002.[37] A live album, Live Kreation, and a live DVD, Live Kreation: Revisioned Glory, were both released in 2003, and their eleventh studio album – emphasizing more on the Gothenburg influences – Enemy of God was released in 2005. A special edition was re-released in 2006, called Enemy of God: Revisited. In early 2006, Kreator toured North America with Napalm Death, A Perfect Murder, and The Undying. There was a joint headline European tour with Celtic Frost in 2007 with support from Watain. Kreator were slated to tour in 2008 with King Diamond, Leaves' Eyes, and Cellador, but this tour was canceled due to back issues with King Diamond.

In March 2008, the At the Pulse of Kapitulation DVD was released, featuring Live in East Berlin and Hallucinative Comas on one disc. Both had previously been available on VHS only and were long out of print. The band also began working on their twelfth full-length album in late 2007/early 2008, and began recording in July 2008. Recording for the album, titled Hordes of Chaos, wrapped up in late August, with the album released in January 2009.[38] On 23 January 2009, the band began their "Chaos Over Europe" tour in Tilburg (the Netherlands) with Caliban, Eluveitie and Emergency Gate as other acts. In April 2009, the band embarked on a North American headlining tour, co-headlined by Exodus, and supported by Belphegor, Warbringer, and Epicurean. In late 2009, Reil was forced to sit out some tour dates due to personal issues, with Marco Minnemann temporarily taking his place.[39]

Phantom Antichrist and Gods of Violence (2010–2017)

Kreator signed with Nuclear Blast in early 2010, before embarking on a North American tour in March to celebrate their 25th anniversary.[40] A European tour with Exodus, Death Angel and Suicidal Angels, entitled Thrashfest, took place in late 2010. On 1 June 2012, they released their thirteenth studio album, Phantom Antichrist.[41] Kreator co-headlined a 23-date North American tour that fall with Nuclear Blast labelmates Accept. Entitled the Teutonic Terror Attack 2012 tour, they were supported by Swallow the Sun.[42] Kreator performed alongside Suidakra in Bangalore on 16 June 2012.

Kreator released a music video for "Civilization Collapse" on 28 November 2012.[43]

In a November 2013 interview, Mille Petrozza stated that Kreator would begin working on their fourteenth studio album after the Phantom Antichrist tour for a 2016 release.[44][45][46][47] However, Petrozza said that the album would not be released until 2017. On 30 August that year, they released a double live album called Dying Alive. It contained 24 tracks recorded at Turbinehalle in Oberhausen, Germany.[48] On 14 October 2016, it was announced that Kreator's fourteenth studio album would be called Gods of Violence,[49] and it was released on 27 January 2017.[50] A music video for the album's title track was released on 18 November 2016.[51]Gods of Violence received generally positive reviews, and was their first album to reach number one on the German charts.[52] To promote the album, Kreator embarked on a headlining European tour in February and March 2017, with support from Sepultura, Soilwork and Aborted,[53] and co-headlined the Decibel Magazine tour with Obituary in March and April.[54] In late April, the band announced an Australian tour with Vader, which took place in September.[55] They embarked on two tours in 2018: one in Europe with Decapitated and Dagoba in January,[56] followed by a co-headlining North American tour with Sabaton in February and March.[57]

Split with Christian Giesler, Hate Über Alles and Krushers of the World (2018–present)

Kreator at Rock im Park, 2018

About three months after the release of Gods of Violence, Petrozza mentioned the possibility of a follow-up album, saying, "Maybe we should work with a different producer. Maybe we should go to a different country to record the album. Maybe we should write a more metal or more full-on thrash metal. Whatever we feel, first and foremost, that is the most important thing. Time will tell."[58] In a September 2017 interview with Australia's Silver Tiger Media, Petrozza stated that Kreator could do another album after Gods of Violence but "not yet."[59] When asked in February 2018 about the band's future, Petrozza said, "I think we're gonna take next year off and write a new record. That's the plan at least. We'll see what happens. I don't put myself under pressure. Let's see how I feel after this tour, and if I have ideas for new music, I will book a studio and start working on demos as soon as I have the time. And then I'll come up with some new stuff."[60] He told Guitar Interactive magazine in July 2018 that Kreator would take 2019 off to focus on writing the new album, which was planned for release in the summer of 2020.[61] Petrozza later stated their new album was not expected to be released until the summer of 2021.[62]

In early December, Kreator embarked on the European Apocalypse tour with Dimmu Borgir, Hatebreed and Bloodbath.[63] It was announced that the final concert of the European Apocalypse tour in London would be filmed and produced as a live DVD in 2019.[64] Titled London Apocalypticon - Live at the Roundhouse, this DVD was released on 14 February 2020.[65] Kreator supported Slayer on their final world tour, appearing at the Santiago Gets Louder festival in Chile on 6 October 2019, along with Anthrax and Pentagram Chile.[66]

On 16 September 2019, it was announced that Christian "Speesy" Giesler had left Kreator after 25 years as their bassist, and was replaced by Frédéric Leclercq, who had recently left DragonForce.[67][62]

On 26 March 2020, Kreator released a music video for "666 - World Divided", which marked their first song in three years and their first one since Leclercq joined the band.[68]

On 20 July 2020, Petrozza posted a picture of himself in the studio on his Instagram page, indicating that Kreator was working on their next album.[69] Petrozza confirmed two months later that Kreator had been writing new material "in the last couple of months", and that he was recording vocals for the album.[70] In a March 2021 interview, Petrozza revealed that Kreator was supposed to start recording their new album in February, but this plan was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to say that he wants "the album to come out and go on a world tour right afterwards", and revealed that Arthur Rizk would produce it.[71] The band announced in September 2021 that they had begun recording the album at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Germany with Rizk.[72][73] In December 2021, Petrozza announced on his Instagram page that their new album would be released in the summer of 2022, preceded by a "new single SOON!".[74] On 4 February 2022, the band released the title track from Hate Über Alles as the album's first single, and announced on the same day that the album would be released on 3 June.[75] The release date was later pushed back to 10 June.[76] A video for the second single from Hate Über Alles, "Strongest of the Strong", was released on 8 April 2022,[77] followed less than a month later by its third single "Midnight Sun".[76] A fourth music video was released for "Conquer and Destroy" on 22 May 2023, though unlike the previous three music videos, this song was not released as a single.[78]

Kreator bewarben „Hate Über Alles“ mit einer Welttournee, unter anderem als Support für Mercyful Fate auf deren erster Nordamerika-Tournee seit über 20 Jahren Ende 2022 [ 79 ] und im Winter 2023 mit Lamb of God und Municipal Waste durch Europa [ 80 ]. Im Frühjahr 2023 waren sie außerdem Co-Headliner der „Klash of the Titans“-Tour, zunächst in Lateinamerika mit Testament [ 81 ] und anschließend in Nordamerika mit Sepultura , die von Death Angel und SpiritWorld unterstützt wurden [ 82 ] . Die Band tourte 2024 weiter zur Unterstützung von „Hate Über Alles“ , unter anderem im Januar/Februar in Japan mit In Flames [ 83 ] , im September/Oktober gemeinsam mit Testament durch Nordamerika (mit Possessed als Vorband) [ 84 ] und im November/Dezember gemeinsam mit Anthrax durch Europa (mit Testament als Support). [ 85 ] Sie traten außerdem als Headliner beim Klash of the Ruhrpott Festival im Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen am 20. Juli 2024 auf , wo die vier Bands der „ Big Teutonic Four “ (Kreator, Sodom , Destruction und Tankard ) zum ersten Mal gemeinsam auf der Bühne standen. [ 86 ] Die Tournee zu „Hate Über Alles“ wurde 2025 fortgesetzt, wobei die Band zusammen mit Rotting Christ und Warbringer als Headliner der „Demonic Summer“-Tour auftrat . [ 87 ]

Im Oktober 2023 begannen Kreator mit den Arbeiten an neuem Material für ihr sechzehntes Studioalbum [ 83 ] , dessen Aufnahmen die Band ursprünglich für Anfang 2025 geplant hatte [ 88 ]. Petrozza gab jedoch später bekannt, dass die Veröffentlichung erst 2026 erfolgen würde [ 89 ] [ 90 ] [ 91 ]. In einem Interview mit Loaded Radio im Juni 2025 bestätigte Leclercq, dass die Band „den letzten Schliff an einem neuen Album vornimmt, das irgendwann im nächsten Jahr erscheinen soll“ [ 92 ]. Im darauffolgenden Monat verkündete Gitarrist Sami Yli-Sirniö , dass sie „auf die finalen Mixe warten“ [ 93 ] . Das Album „ Krushers of the World “ erschien schließlich am 16. Januar 2026 [ 8 ].

Der ehemalige Kreator-Bassist Andreas Herz starb im Dezember 2023. Die Nachricht von seinem Tod wurde von Petrozza bestätigt. [ 94 ]

Der Dokumentarfilm über die Band Kreator, „Hate & Hope“ , feierte am 2. Juli 2025 auf dem 42. Internationalen Filmfestival München Premiere und kam am 4. September weltweit in die Kinos. [ 95 ] [ 96 ]

Kreator tourten im Winter und Frühjahr 2026 zur Unterstützung von „Krushers of the World“ , zunächst in Europa mit Carcass , Exodus und Nails , während sie in Nordamerika von Carcass und Cold Steel unterstützt wurden. Die Nordamerika-Tour führte sie unter anderem zum Welcome to Rockville , Sonic Temple und Maryland Deathfest . [ 97 ] [ 98 ] Im Dezember 2026 wird die Band außerdem Slayer auf deren erster Lateinamerika-Tournee seit Jahren begleiten. [ 99 ]

Musikalischer Stil und Einflüsse

Kreator's musical style is similar to those of their compatriots Destruction, Sodom and Tankard, usually more complex and, since Violent Revolution (2001), more melodic. Along with those bands, Kreator has been referred to as one of the "Big Four" of Teutonic thrash metal,[12] and they are often credited with helping pioneer death metal and black metal by containing several elements of what was to become those genres.[13][14]

The band's style has changed several times over the years, from a Venom-inspired speed metal sound,[100] later moving into thrash metal, and including a transitional period from thrash to industrial and gothic metal throughout the 1990s.[101] Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic assessed the band's early material: "Like many of their European speed metal brethren, Kreator fused the Big Four's thrash innovations with Venom's proto-black metal imagery, sparked it with Motörhead's terminal velocity, and capped it off with the nihilistic outlook typical of heavy metal since the seminal days of Black Sabbath." Rivadavia assessed: "Kreator's career also mirrored speed metal's rising and waning fortunes: moving from strength to strength throughout the '80s. [...] As the new decade gave birth to grunge, Kreator felt it necessary to evolve, spending most of the rest of the decade taking their collective foot off the gas and exploring various combinations of industrial, goth[ic] rock, and alternative sounds resulting on 1999's post-metalEndorama." In the early 2000s, Kreator returned to its traditional thrash metal sound, albeit this time influenced by melodic death metal, a style which has continued to the present.[102][103]

Kreator wurde von einer Vielzahl von Musikrichtungen beeinflusst, darunter Post-Punk- Bands wie Siouxsie and the Banshees [ 104 ] , Hardcore-Punk- Bands wie Bad Religion [ 105 ] , DRI [ 106 ] , The Exploited , GBH und Raw Power [ 107 ] sowie Hard-Rock- und Heavy-Metal- Bands der 1970er und 1980er Jahre , darunter Accept , Bathory , Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden , Judas Priest , Kiss , Mercyful Fate , Metallica , Motörhead, Possessed , Raven , Rush , Slayer und Venom. [ 105 ] [ 108 ] [ 109 ] [ 110 ]

Bandmitglieder

Aktuell

Ehemalig

  • Roberto „Rob“ Fioretti – Bass (1982–1992)
  • Jörg „Tritze“ Trzebiatowski – Leadgitarre (1986–1989)
  • Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik – Leadgitarre (1989–1996)
  • Andreas Herz – Bass (1992–1994, gestorben 2023)
  • Christian "Speesy" Giesler – Bass, Hintergrundgesang (1994–2019)
  • Joe Cangelosi – Schlagzeug (1994–1996)
  • Tommy Vetterli – Leadgitarre (1996–2001)

Tournee

  • Michael Wulf – Leadgitarre (1986; gestorben 1993)
  • Bogusz Rutkiewicz – Bass (1988)
  • Markus „Makka“ Freiwald – Schlagzeug (2000)
  • Marco Minnemann – Schlagzeug (2009)

Zeitleiste

Diskografie

Notes

  1. ^Jörg Trzebiatowski was credited as lead guitarist on the Extreme Aggression album; however, Petrozza later revealed that he played all the guitar parts.

References

  1. ^ abcdefEduardo Rivadavia. "AllMusic - Kreator Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  2. ^"Sunday Old School: Kreator". MetalUnderground.com. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  3. ^ ab"The History of Thrash Metal". Metal and Horror Movies. Archived from the original on 28 April 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  4. ^ abcd"Kreator > Longplay-Chartverfolgung" (in German). PhonoNet. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  5. ^"Artist Spotlight: Speesy (Kreator)". The ESP Guitar Company. 22 March 2018.
  6. ^"Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline". Musicline.de. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  7. ^"Kreator - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  8. ^ ab"KREATOR Announces 'Krushers Of The World' Album; European Tour With EXODUS And CARCASS To Launch In March 2026". Blabbermouth.net. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  9. ^"Kreator To Embark on North American Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 8 August 2002. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  10. ^"Kreator". Memim.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  11. ^"Kreator Bio". kreator-terrorzone.de. 26 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  12. ^ ab"KREATOR, SODOM, DESTRUCTION, TANKARD: 'The Big Teutonic 4' To Release New 10-Inch Single". Blabbermouth.net. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  13. ^ ab"Metal Storm - The Categorization of Death Metal". Metal Storm. 23 November 2005. Retrieved 25 March 2007.
  14. ^ abMcpadden, Mike (2012). If you like Metallica : here are over 200 bands, CDs, movies, and other oddities that you will love. Backbeat Books. p. 105-106.
  15. ^Staff, Loudwire StaffLoudwire (20 July 2016). "Top 50 Metal Bands of All Time". Loudwire. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  16. ^Huselid, Zahra (13 January 2025). "10 Best Thrash Metal Bands Who Weren't The Big Four". ScreenRant. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  17. ^Ken Blackmore. "Sorted MagAZine - Review of Pleasure to Kill". Sorted MagAZine. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  18. ^"HailMetal.com - HailMetal.com's Top 50 Thrash Albums of All Time". HailMetal.com. 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  19. ^"CD Gallery - Kreator". No Life 'til Metal. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  20. ^Lee, Cosmo. "Interview with Cannibal Corpse". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  21. ^ abc"Kreator Tour Dates". metallipromo.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  22. ^Vincent Jeffries. "AllMusic - Review of Terrible Certainty". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  23. ^ ab"Four 80's Era KREATOR Classics To Be Reissued". KNAC.COM. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  24. ^"Headbangers Ball- The Unofficial Tribute Site - Episode Database". headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  25. ^"A Day To Remember... 19/06 [KREATOR]". Rockhard Greece (in Greek). Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  26. ^ abDiamond Oz (22 April 2012). "Sunday Old School: Kreator - in Metal News". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  27. ^Bertrand Garnier (29 February 2000). "UTTER DARK webzine – Kreator interview". UTTER DARK webzine. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  28. ^ ab"Extreem Metaal - Kreator". Extreem Metaal. 21 January 2007. Archived from the original on 1 March 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  29. ^Alcock, Gary (26 February 2018). "Kreator – Coma Of Souls, Renewal, Cause For Conflict, Outcast Reissues". Ghost Cult Magazine. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  30. ^"History". Wacken Open Air. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  31. ^"Ultimate Metal Reviews – Review of Violent Revolution". Ultimate Metal Reviews. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  32. ^"Metal Storm – Review of Violent Revolution". Metal Storm. 19 September 2003. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  33. ^"Maelstrom Zine - Review of Violent Revolution". Maelstrom Zine. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  34. ^Gary Hill. "Allmusic - Review of Violent Revolution". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  35. ^"The 10 best thrash songs from 2000-2020". Louder. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  36. ^"Kreator interview in HELL-sinki". Metal-Rules.com. 24 January 2002. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  37. ^"History". Wacken Open Air. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  38. ^"KREATOR: More New Album Details Revealed". 12 September 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
  39. ^"KREATOR Drummer Forced to Sit Out Shows; Temporary Replacement Announced". 2 September 2009. Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  40. ^"KREATOR Kicks Off North American Tour; Setlist Revealed, Video Available". 4 March 2010. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  41. ^"Phantom Antichrist - Kreator". 1 June 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  42. ^"KREATOR & ACCEPT ANNOUNCE TEUTONIC TERROR ATTACK 2012 TOUR". Archive.today. Retrieved 17 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  43. ^"Kreator 'Civilization Collapse' Video Premiere". Metalhammer.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  44. ^"Kreator's Mille Petrozza: No New Studio Album Until 2015 At The Earliest". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  45. ^"Kreator – Bio, Discography and History". Metaldescent.com. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  46. ^"KREATOR – Interview with Mille Petrozza". Metal-Rules.com. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  47. ^"See The Muzic News: Interview with Mille Petrozza from Kreator". TapDetroit.com. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  48. ^"No New KREATOR Studio Album Before 2017, Says Mille Petrozza". Blabbermouth.net. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  49. ^"KREATOR To Release 'Gods of Violence' Album in January". Blabbermouth.net. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  50. ^"KREATOR: 'Gods of Violence' Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  51. ^"Video Premiere: KREATOR's 'Gods of Violence'". Blabbermouth.net. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  52. ^"KREATOR's 'Gods of Violence' Tops German Chart". Blabbermouth.net. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  53. ^"Kreator To Tour Europe With Sepultura, Soilwork, Aborted". Blabbermouth.net. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  54. ^"Kreator And Obituary To Join Forces For 'Decibel Magazine Tour'". Blabbermouth.net. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  55. ^"German Thrash Heroes Kreator Announce 2017 Australian Tour". Musicfeeds.com.au. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  56. ^"Kreator Announces Early 2018 European Tour With Decapitated, Dagoba". Blabbermouth.net. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  57. ^"Sabaton And Kreator To Join Forces For North American Co-Headlining Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  58. ^"Mille Petrozza on the Next Kreator Album". Ultimate-Guitar.com. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  59. ^"Kreator Frontman: 'I'm Always Overwhelmed by the Fact That There's People Out There Who Like What We Do'". Blabbermouth.net. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  60. ^"Kreator Frontman: 'I Don't Wanna Wait Another Five Years for the Next Record'". Blabbermouth.net. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  61. ^"Kreator's Mille Petrozza Is Planning To Release Next Album In The Summer Of 2020". Blabbermouth.net. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  62. ^ ab"IM GESPRÄCH MIT MILLE VON KREATOR" (in German). deadline-magazin.de. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  63. ^"Kreator and Dimmu Borgir announce European co-headlining tour". Blabbermouth.net. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  64. ^"Kreator's London concert to be professionally filmed". Blabbermouth.net. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  65. ^"KREATOR Announces New Live Release 'London Apocalypticon - Live at the Roundhouse'". Blabbermouth.net. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  66. ^"SLAYER, MEGADETH And ANTHRAX To Share Stage at SANTIAGO GETS LOUDER Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  67. ^"KREATOR Welcome Frédéric Leclercq As New Bass Player". Capitalchaostv.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  68. ^"KREATOR Surprise-Releases New Single, '666 - World Divided'". Blabbermouth.net. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  69. ^"Kreator Appear To Be in the Studio". theprp.com. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  70. ^"KREATOR Is in Studio Working on New Music". Blabbermouth.net. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  71. ^"KREATOR Frontman Names Producer For New Album, Says LP Won't Be Released Before Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  72. ^"Kreator - Begin Recording 15th Studio Album". Metal Storm. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  73. ^"KREATOR Begins Recording New Album With Producer ARTHUR RIZK". Blabbermouth.net. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  74. ^"KREATOR's New Album To Arrive In The Summer, First Single Due 'Soon'". Blabbermouth.net. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  75. ^"KREATOR Announces 'Hate Über Alles' Album, Releases Music Video For Title Track". Blabbermouth.net. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  76. ^ ab"Kreator Releases Music Video For New Single 'Midnight Sun'". Blabbermouth.net. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  77. ^"KREATOR Releases Music Video For New Single 'Strongest Of The Strong'". Blabbermouth.net. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  78. ^"KREATOR Releases Music Video For 'Conquer And Destroy'". Blabbermouth.net. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  79. ^"MERCYFUL FATE Announces First North American Tour In Over Two Decades; KREATOR To Support". Blabbermouth.net. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  80. ^"LAMB OF GOD And KREATOR Announce MUNICIPAL WASTE As Support For 2023 European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  81. ^"KREATOR And TESTAMENT Join Forces For Klash Of The Titans Latin American Tour". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  82. ^"KREATOR And SEPULTURA Announce Spring 2023 North American Tour With DEATH ANGEL". Blabbermouth.net. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  83. ^ ab"Kreator - Confirm Japanese 'Klash Of The Titans' Tour Dates". Metal Storm. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  84. ^"TESTAMENT And KREATOR Announce 'Klash Of The Titans' North American Tour With POSSESSED". Blabbermouth.net. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  85. ^"ANTHRAX, KREATOR And TESTAMENT Announce Fall 2024 European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  86. ^"'Big Four' Of German Thrash Metal, KREATOR, SODOM, DESTRUCTION And TANKARD, Announce 2024 Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  87. ^"KREATOR Announces Spring/Summer 2025 European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  88. ^"KREATOR To Record New Album In Early 2025". Blabbermouth.net. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  89. ^"No New KREATOR Album Until 2026: 'I Need To Take My Time', Says MILLE PETROZZA". Blabbermouth.net. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  90. ^"MILLE PETROZZA Already Has 'A Bunch of Songs' Written for Next KREATOR Album". November 2023.
  91. ^"KREATOR's MILLE PETROZZA: 'We Wanna Progress as Musicians and Come up with New, Exciting Stuff'". 5 November 2023.
  92. ^"KREATOR Is Putting Finishing Touches On 16th Studio Album: 'It's Gonna Be Great', Says FRÉDÉRIC LECLERCQ". Blabbermouth.net. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  93. ^"KREATOR Is 'Waiting For The Final Mixes' For Upcoming Sixteenth Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  94. ^"Kreator - Former Bassist Dies".
  95. ^"Official KREATOR Documentary Is In The Works". Blabbermouth.net. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  96. ^"KREATOR Shares Trailer For Official Documentary 'Hate & Hope'". Blabbermouth.net. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  97. ^ Hadusek, Jon (10. Dezember 2025). „Kreator kündigen US-Tournee im Frühjahr 2026 mit Carcass an“ . Consequence . Abgerufen am 4. März 2026 .
  98. ^ Mahmud, Abir (22. Juli 2025). „News: Maryland Deathfest 2026 Adds Kreator And More Artists“ . New Noise Magazine . Abgerufen am 4. März 2026 .
  99. ^ „SLAYER kündigt Lateinamerika-Tournee zum 40-jährigen Jubiläum von ‚Reign In Blood‘ im Herbst 2026 an“ . Blabbermouth.net . 29. Mai 2026. Abgerufen am 29. Mai 2026 .
  100. ^ Live Kreation: Revisioned Glory DVD: Die erste Szene des Abschnitts zur Bandgeschichte.
  101. ^ „Kreator – Biografie“ . Noise Records . Abgerufen am 11. Januar 2023 .
  102. ^ „Kreator Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | A...“ AllMusic . Abgerufen am 14. Mai 2025 .
  103. ^ "KREATOR: "GODS OF VIOLENCE" - Kein sauberer Gesang" . 13. Januar 2017.
  104. ^ Polyzos, Kostas (11. September 2013). „Kreator-Interview (Mille Petrozza)“ . Rocking . Abgerufen am 2. September 2020 .
  105. ^ a b „Kreator – Ähnliche Künstler“ . AllMusic . Abgerufen am 31. Mai 2021 .
  106. ^ „DRI veröffentlicht neue EP im Juni“ . KNAC . Abgerufen am 31. Mai 2021 .
  107. ^ Trauma aus früheren Leben (1985–1992) (CD-Booklet). Noise Records . 2000.
  108. ^ „KREATOR-Frontmann: ‚Ich versuche, nicht wie irgendjemand anderes zu klingen‘“" . Blabbermouth.net . 15. April 2017 . Abgerufen am 31. Mai 2021 .
  109. ^ "„Das war gewollt und nicht gekonnt“ – Kreator bewerten ihre eigenen Alben“ . Vice (auf Deutsch). 26. Januar 2017 . Abgerufen am 31. Mai 2021 .
  110. ^ „Kreator Mille Petrozza: „Im Metal ging es immer um Menschenrechte und den gesunden Menschenverstand, Dummheit und staatlichen Schwachsinn nicht zu tolerieren“" . Kerrang! . 25. Februar 2021 . Abgerufen am 31. Mai 2021 .
  111. ^Amit Sharma (26 January 2017). "Mille Petrozza on 35 years of Kreator, essential gear and advice for guitarists". MusicRadar. Retrieved 17 November 2019.