kreator is back with a new record. it took the boys five years to release a follow-up to "phantom antichrist". man. is that five years already? i remember the pre-orders going live at nuclear blast and although i got a copy of "phantom antichrist" only two years ago, it doesn't feel like five years. where did the time go? anyway, now they are back with "gods of violence" and to me, it was worth the wait.
they proceeded the new direction they started with on "phantom". "gods of violence" feels more epic. more melody driven, with broader arrangements and a heavier lean on classic heavy metal and power metal. now that i know the three records from the first decade of the 21st century, i have to say that i like the thrashier records better but no way one can call "gods of violence" a watered down cuddle record. still loads of fast heaviness just expanded with the new elements.
when the pre-orders for the "gods of violence" went up there were numerous vinyl versions on offer. as the bi-coloured version included a black part and i think that this is a bit lame and the box-sets were too pricey, at least for a band which is not one of my absolute favourites, i settled with the splatter edition. i think it matches the chaotic, apocalyptic collage, which serves as the front cover, quite good.
thank god that nuclear blast returned to 180gr vinyl for their releases. hopefully this won't change in the future. the splatter pattern is quite odd. the splatter is very thin, like water colours and the clear has a weird teal tinge. not a bad thing though. the gatefold comes on standard quality with an inner picture of the band that has way more class than the pics from the recent steamhammer re-pressings, black dust sleeves and two lyric sheets. very nice all around. 500 copies made. nuclear blast. 2017.
