KREATOR — Pleasure to Kill (review)

KREATOR — Pleasure to Kill album cover Album · 1986 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Mjöllnir
One of the seminal albums of early death metal, “Pleasure to Kill” rips and tears its way into one hell of a murky metal masterpiece. Although the band are often thought of as thrash this album is nonetheless important in the development of more extreme styles. The influence is immediately present at the first taste of the manic tremolo picking and breakneck pace of “Ripping Corpse” following the deceptive and airy intro.

“Pleasure to Kill” feels like a more considered and focused extension of their debut, with drummer Ventor taking turns with Mille on lead vocals still. Although I wouldn’t call the sound mucky, it is still raw and satisfyingly unpleasant but with every neck snapping riff making its presence felt. The perhaps thin sound of “Endless Pain” has all but vanished. Ventor’s mad rolls and fills deserve mention, and his pummelling of the kit adds effective urgency to “Under the Guillotine” and the title track.

Though remaining on the same plain for much of the album’s runtime, I’ve got to say “Riot of Violence” is the centrepiece: the pile-on of riffs, dynamics and sheer aggression just build into a monolith. The following track “The Pestilence” is more elongated and begins with a slow and punishing introduction but can hardly resist that urge to mount an all out assault. Despite the relentless speed the album doesn’t wear out its welcome and remains far more engaging than the debut of Sodom for me (released the same year). The late 90s remastered edition has the “Flag of Hate” EP added as a bonus, which pairs the title track culled from the debut with two choice cuts showing off their development nicely. “Awakening of the Gods” must be heard!!
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