Kreator at Barby Club (2015)

Barby Club (Tel Aviv, Israel)

Kreator

*Photography: Sharon Shapira "Motherfucking Politics dividing people…", as a larger portion of the Israeli […]

• August 29, 2015

*Photography: Sharon Shapira

"Motherfucking Politics dividing people…", as a larger portion of the Israeli Metal scene was for the entirely opposite thing, which was unity. "United In Hate" cried Mille Petrozza, in hate for everything that sucks our lives in and makes them a world of misery and despair. So why hell not let your troubles go away every now and then with a kind of extremity that will make you think once again about who you are, what you are doing and how are you going to live your left from that point on? I guess that all of us in a while need that dosage of alternate reality when watching the veteran German KREATOR in yet another run in Israel, live at the Barby Club in Tel Aviv.

The Barby club has always been one of the hottest places for Metal shows, its look fitted nicely for this Thrash oriented that was a potential for full scale havoc. Slowly filling up after dwelling outside for smokes, beer and merchandise sale, the venue became rather full almost to the point of sold out but can't quite be sure. Not that it mattered as there was enough heat for everyone. The band arrived approximately one hour before the show, and the stage was waiting for them to get organized in the back. When the clock stroke 22:00, it was time, the show started and the intro of "Choir Of The Damned" haunted to invite KREATOR aboard the stage for the commencing of their 3^rd run in the holy land. Well done for the production for keeping a strict timetable.

Whether standing from the left or right end of the venue, down in the moshpit or up on the stairs or nudged on the rails, it was rather hard to appreciate the sound of the band live. Back in 2006, the band's second run in Israel performing in the Theater Club in Jaffa, I remembered a much better sound production that was one of the show's driving forces, like in any other. Following past experience, sometimes it happens in the Barby Club when the sound fails, as no matter the soundman, whether of the band's or a local, the end result just isn't what you would expect. Frankly, that phenomenon affected on the band's delivery in the house at least till the sixth song of the set, "Warcurse". All you could hear were drums and hard to the core active bass while the guitars, especially when played in palm mute, guitar solos, and at times Petrozza's vocals, faded away into nothingness. And I will put a stop to the sound right now as there was also a show that went a long that also received its igniting kick right when that same "Warcurse" song ended.

Though "Enemy Of God", which opened the show, blasted through the airwaves with conviction, taking the youngsters of the audience in the front for the first signs of a mosh pit circle, it felt different. It might have been ten years since the last time that KREATOR played here live with this number, even though appearing energized as ever, something didn't quite click and the song sounded a bit weary, as if the band itself could have used an extra juice for a warmup. "Terrible Certainty" left a kind of similar mark while "Phobia" attempted to upgrade the status and was going somewhere. The unexpected "Awakening The Gods" sent that great feel of a good old school delivery, yet the audience didn't look that responsive to the fact that a legendary song was played in front of them. "Endless Pain" sent that itch to the veteran Metalheads across the room but the front end just weren't really there, or at least in smaller portions. Petrozza also tried to charge people up with short pep talks between these songs as I am sure that he noticed that people over there needed some serious ass kicking as it was KREATOR playing live in front of them.

When "Mars Mantra" slowly went under the sheets, and "Phantom Antichrist" sent its Metal charge over the venue, something happened, a sort of blaze that remained for the rest of the show, and it seems that also KREATOR themselves were charged enough to blast as mightily as possible. "From Blood Into Fire" retained the Heavy Metal element while keeping it a semi sing along at the chorus, producing dramatic moments as the solo shone above the hefty smoke on stage. The shout out of "Let's play some old school" was expected and evident and KREATOR sailed on years back for "Extreme Aggression", of course all for the love of Metal and the need to loosen up as much as possible. But as much as I would have wanted at least another old school track on the bill, Petrozza & Co raced towards "Suicide Terrorist", which was also well delivered. The dramatic "Black Sunrise" had me back in my high school days when I first listened to this song right after buying the "Outcast" release.

I believe that it was one of the show's most commemorating moments on my part, and I wouldn't imagine KREATOR playing it live and right there in Israel. I sang nearly most of the song and the feeling was utterly profound. With enough rest with slow tempo track, "Hordes Of Chaos" flamed in. Frankly, it didn't sparkle that much but yet again, KREATOR were on fire and made the best of it. "Renewal" was also a gift to many that, a classic that made the people over bang their heads hard, as it was undeniable. Such a great Thrash Metal slow to mid-tempo barrage was certainly in order right there. "Civilization Collapse" was one of the best songs on the list from the band's newer age, and its delivery was swift and strong, one could really appreciate the destruction going through around him.

When the smoked cleared for just a bit, as it has been way thick that I imagined, "The Patriarch" hymn was summoned to gradually welcome the band back to the stage and into the next violent affair. That is right you guessed, it was "Violent Revolution" that re-sparkled the audience's response to the band's high end efforts with an show of pure craze. Then came "Pleasure To Kill". Always a song that ignited additional energy and the urge to cause pain, but something wasn't right when it was played and right after Petrozza screamed his guts out for the beginning of a supposed massacre. I expected the audience to go into rage, but it wasn't there. It seemed to me that most of the young fans didn't quite understand the meaning of this song and what happens when it is played. Ten years ago it was a near "bloodbath" at The Theater Club. We might be getting old after all.

"United By Hate", a choir for the folks that needed more in their lives than the ordinary path that most go through, the need to let out the hate for the things that makes our well-being dreadful. Following Sami's acoustic guitar playing, which was a really fine extension to the original intro, another barrage of speed began slewing the audience into a strong sing along of the chorus, simply a well packed song before almost ending the event. And if hate was the order of business, the flag was also there to serve a purpose, Petrozza raising the flag took another bite of the audience energy into a bloody old school fest with "Flag Of Hate". And then it was it with "Betrayer", leaving no reason to doubt KREATOR's magnetic power with one of their strongest of classics that was no less than electrify, leaving that awesome taste for more.

Without an encore, KREATOR went off the stage, saying their goodbyes with a pure promise to return. Unlike most bands, I actually believed them. Too bad that the set didn't include plenty of classics including songs from "Coma Of Souls" that weren't there at all, however, 19 songs of a set is an effort that is second to none. KREATOR destroyed the Barby Club eventually as planned. I guess it will take some time, but The KREATOR will return…

I wish to thank Yishai Sweartz and Raven Metal, along with tour manager of KREATOR, Sebastian Roeder, for hosting Metal Temple, we were honored to receive the chance to write about this amazing show.

Additional photography may be found at Sharon Shapira's gallery from the gig.

Setlist:
1. Choir Of The Damned
2. Enemy of God
3. Terrible Certainty
4. Phobia
5. Awakening of the Gods
6. Endless Pain
7. Warcurse
8. Mars Mantra
9. Phantom Antichrist
10. From Flood Into Fire
11. Extreme Aggression
12. Suicide Terrorist
13. Black Sunrise
14. Hordes of Chaos (A Necrologue for the Elite)
15. Renewal
16. Civilization Collapse
17. The Patriarch
18. Violent Revolution
19. Pleasure to Kill
20. United In Hate
21. Flag of Hate
22. Betrayer
23. Until Our Paths Cross Again

Harel Golstein managed to have a chat with Sami Yli-Sirniö.

Are you excited about performing in Israel? Or is it just another venue?

Well it's a special country of course, almost kind of exotic for me. It's very different from Scandinavia. But then again Tel-Aviv seems like a bubble inside of Israel. Basically like any city other in Europe, just a little bit warmer.

You guys have such rich cultural history (I know you're from Finland, the rest of the band from Germany) and Kreator always maintained that social commentary concept in the music… Is it something profound and important for you? Or is it just Metal?

In any kind of music , let it be Metal or any other style; if its sung in English or not, well the lyrics.. People automatically listen to what is being said. And the topics that Mille touches have to do with the stuff that's happening around in the world today. They're very easy topics to grab into. It has to do with social problems and stuff that arouses feelings.. Haha well you have to ask Mille, he writes the lyrics. But I think I can sign on everything that he writes. And It's a part of Metal too. It doesn't come in the side as an extra.

You've been in the band since 2001. Has it been a whole new chapter for you in the Metal world? Has creator changed something for you as a musician?

I've been making music since I was 17 and I toured with other bands and made albums before that as well. Kreator is maybe more successful than them. But in the end it's just the same. You make albums and play guitar and play shows… but I knew of Kreator already when I was a kid so it's a pleasant and I like it very much.

Did you like the band while growing up?

I didn't hear all the albums but some I did and yeah.

Have you guys in the band felt any pressure about coming to Israel? I noticed fans in your Facebook page arguing whether should you go or not. A while ago Deicide announced they were boycotting Israel.

I see it like this. I don't think politics of this sort should be mixed up with this evening. People over here don't have anything to do with that in my opinion. Neither do I. Of course there's unfortunate things happening in this country like in other places in the world. What we're doing here is trying to enjoy music and have a good time. I mean even though Metal sometimes seems like a serious form of entertainment or art it's still entertainment. What we want to do is have a nice evening of music and that's it.

So I haven't had any pressure. When we were in El-Salvador there was a civil war going on. And two weeks ago we played in Ukraine, they have problems too. It's unfortunate that they're having these problems. It's terrible. The violence must stop. It's obvious; you don't even have to say it. But what we were doing there was playing music and trying to bring people into a good mood.

So that's your message?

That's why I don't feel pressure about it. Like they said in the old west in the states "don't shoot the pianist".

Have u read any good books lately?

Right now I'm reading the biography of Amorphis. It came out only in Finnish, last week. They're friends of mine.

Is there anything in their history you didn't already know?

No It's just a different point of view that's fun to read.

What else?

Well I read about the 'chef de la cuisine'… A book about Kim Jong-Un. So yeah basicly biographies.

Do you listen too anything outside of metal?

All kinds of shit. I try to keep an open mind so it doesn't have to be any specific genre.

Do you like Radiohead?

Sure, sure. I haven't heard the new ones but Ok Computer and The Bends are great. The new stuff I haven't got to yet, I haven't much time to get into that. But all kinds of shit. Since I'm a guitarist I listen to.. a lot of guitar music.

Like the shredders?

Whatever comes my way. There's an overflow of music in the age of Spotify and Youtube haha!

Where do you like performing more, smaller venues or bigger locations like in festivals? It's summer time so you guys must be touring the shit out of Europe. Is there a different sentiment that goes with these shows?

Tonight for example were playing a longer set than we would be playing in a festival .It's nice for us because we get more into the mood and you don't feel like you're in a hurry. In the festivals you have a certain amount of time and u have to get off the stage real quickly. Everything has to be very carefully planned which is ok too. The good part - obviously there are more people there. But doing club shows is fun as well. Well it has good and bad sides haha.

Kreator's sound has changed so many times during the years; the raw and aggressive thrash, the experimental mid-era, and these past few years, more or less since you joined the band, that it's been more aggressive and brutally paced. Do you think KREATOR can or will change again into such a divert shift?

I think what we try to do is to find a new aspect and a new perspective on every album that we do. With the past 4 albums or so we feel that we noticed where our own strengths lie and really realized what we're good at. But you shouldn't get too stuck with that too. You always find it's good to experiment and to find a new perspective. But the general sound of what we do is quite clear haha.

Is there a certain atmosphere you like having around you when you write new music?

I guess it mostly pops up when I take the guitar in my hand. But it takes a long time for us to write an album. Mille is the main songwriter in Kreator for sure, but you need to have a little bit of peace and quiet and not playing too many shows and also live life. Because "touring life" isn't real life. There's not so much that's going on that would be interesting, it's usually the same thing going on every day, so it's better to go on writing while going through regular life and to get inspiration.

So you like touring constantly or do you kind of wait for it to end?

No, not at all. This week it's very interesting. Today we're here, tomorrow Cyprus. Sunday Istanbul. Very different places than the ones we usually tour so its a lot of fun. Summer time is always the best because you do festivals during the weekend and then you can have a few days off.

Did you go to the beach in Tel-Aviv?

Yeah! Water was warm and the people are beautiful.

Anything you'd like to say to the massive amounts of Kreator fans outside?

It's amazing that they still come to our shows and thanks for that! I'm very happy to have the chance to play here and hopefully we'll have the chance to come here again.

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