German Thrash Metal legends KREATOR are in the business for more than 40 years and there is no sign of getting tired. The journey that begun in 1984 (not counting the very early days before) has already got an impressive release catalogue and "Krushers Of The World" is meanwhile the 16^th full-length album. The album was produced and mixed by Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH; ARCH ENEMY; OPETH) at Fascination Street Studios Sweden, and it was mastered by Magnus Larnhed. It has a length of more than 44 minutes, and it was released via German Metal label Nuclear Blast Records. "Krushers Of The World" was released in several versions, one of them includes a bonus live CD, containing their 2023 headliner show at 70000tons of Metal. KREATOR has always been more than a Thrash Metal band. They are an institution, not only in Germany, but world-wide. Like most of the Metal bands of the 80s, they had a challenging phase in the 90s, but unlike other bands, they became stronger and are arguably one of the best and most successful Thrash Metal bands globally today. One secret of their success is certainly the continuous further development of their sound. They were never afraid to experiment and the majority of a typical KREATOR setlist are their tracks from the latest say 20 years. This makes them unique.

The experimentation with the sound continues on "Krushers Of The World" in a way that new elements are utilized that may have been unthinkable 20 years ago. The album starts with a melodic intro to the fast opening track "Seven Serpants". The guitar riffing is tight and devastating. Intro, verse parts, and the mid-tempo chorus parts sound familiar with KREATOR tracks of previous albums, with the melodies being dark and melancholic. KREATOR utilize more and different modern elements nowadays, for example, "Seven Serpants" uses a choir to intensify the melancholy of the melodies during the break. Altogether, "Seven Serpants" is a typical KREATOR opening track but with more focus on the melodies. "Satanic Anarchy" is a mid-tempo track with crushing verse parts, punishing riffs, accompanied by a relentless double-bass. The choruses are introduced by a bridge, while the choruses are sing-alongs with catchy melodies. The break offers an extended and contributing lead guitar solo with some subtle changes in tempo and rhythm. The title track has a powerful start at a measured tempo, thunderous guitar riffing, and chilling melodies. The chorus is almost anthemic with catchy melodies. "Krushers Of The World" is a head-banger throughout, it is dark and given the excellent lead guitar solo, it is one of the album highlights. The track was released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below.

"Tränenpalast" is a German title and means palace of tears. It is one of the mid-tempo KREATOR songs, we all are familiar with from previous albums with dark and melancholic melodies. However, a main difference to similar sounding tracks in the past is that there is female vocal support from Britta Goertz (HIRAES, ex-CRIPPER). While this is nothing new as there was a female voice on their last album, KREATOR got someone with Britta, who has developed an excellent reputation in Germany in recent years, not only with her melodic Death Metal band HIRAES, but also for standing in as live vocalist during the HEAVEN SHALL BURN tour last year. Perhaps a bit of an irony, Britta started her illustrious career as the front woman of German Thrash Metal band CRIPPER, which never got the recognition they deserved. What I like on "Tränenpalast" is that the focus is put on the guitar work on not on the guests. The second guest is Andy Posdziech (ANY GIVEN DAY), who performs all keyboards on the album, a feature that is also something new on KREATOR albums. With "Barbarian" and "Blood Of Our Blood" there are finally two more fast tracks. Both are typical KREATOR tracks of recent years with fast and aggressive verse parts, dark melodic mid-tempo choruses, and a mixture of fast and mid-tempo breaks with excellent solos. The one of "Barbarian" has certainly some neo-classic vibes. "Blood Of Our Blood" is the heavier of the two, it is more direct and aggressive, and surely a track for the pit. It is one of favorite tracks on the album.

After a short keyboard introduction, "Combatants" develops into another mid-tempo track with powerful guitar riffs and crunching basslines. The choruses are epic, anthemic, and sing-alongs. The extended lead guitar solo is a signature KREATOR solo and surely the highlight of the track. "Psychotic Imperator" is introduced by an epic and melancholic instrumental part at a measured tempo, leading into another fast track with mid-tempo choruses. The guitar riffing is tight and direct, while the melodic baseline is always maintained by the vocals. The break returns to the melodies and the pace of the introduction, intensified by the choir. The lead guitar solo is once again, second-to-none. "Psychotic Imperator" is surely another track for the pit. "Death Scream" goes back into mid-tempo mode with devastating guitar riffs and crushing basslines. The choruses are simple, and this is the point where Thrash Metal meets Death Metal, as Mille Petrozza's Thrash vocals meet Britta Goertz' Death Metal screams, where the latter ones leave the longer lasting impression. The album finishes with the mid-tempo track "Loyal To The Grave". It is a track that is in line with the KREATOR sound of recent years/decades, even though the choruses are a bit over melodic for my taste. There is a little bit of compensation for this with another cool solo.

KREATOR deliver a signature album with a unique KREATOR sound. "Krushers Of The World" is a well-composed mixture of fast classical Thrash and melodic mid-tempo tracks, all embedded into a dark and at times melancholic melodic framework. I personally did not rate the previous album "Hate Über Alles", so "Krushers Of The World" is an improvement. The melodic Thrash Metal sound of the album is in line with that of the previous releases, but the new album utilizes modern elements, which probably are "trendy" in today's Metal world. As a lifelong KREATOR fan, I do not need keyboards or female guest vocals on a KREATOR album. The album is very well produced. "Krushers Of The World" will not go into the history books as a top three KREATOR album, but their existing fanbase will certainly be happy with a prospect of winning over new Metal fans.