Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: the mighty KREATOR; signed via Nuclear Blast Records, hailing from the glory of Germany - performing Thrash Metal, on their 6th live album entitled: "London Apocalypticon - Live At The Roundhouse" (released February 14th, 2020).

Since formation in 1982 (under multiple names including METAL MILITIA, TYRANT & the monkier TORMENTOR until 1984 renaming themselves indefinitely as the wrath of KREATOR); the quartet in question have 12 Studio Albums, 2 Demos; 6 EPs, 8 Splits; 1 Split Video, 4 Videos; 4 Compilations, and 6 Live Albums in their discography so far. Having been a huge fan since their debut album: "Endless Pain" until the "Gods Of Violence" records, and everything inbetween; like the "Phantom Antichrist", "Hordes Of Chaos" & the "Violent Revolution" the KREATOR has returned with yet another blistering live performance in the form of "Live Apocalypticon - Live At The Roundhouse" - a show that I personally had the "Pleasure To Kill" at... all puns intended.

A hefty 17 tracks ranging at around an hour and 12 minutes; KREATOR unleash another terrifying slab of rocketing Big Tuetonic 4, Thrash Metal mayhem. Having been at this show; I have some fond memories that will stay with me forever, even if I was a bit drunk! So to have this spectacle recorded for CD/DVD/Blu-Ray (which I also own as part of an Earbook Version exclusive to Nuclear Blast Records) ...I was madly excited to have also been offered a promo to review as well! I also done my 2nd crowdsurf which was extremely fun. (My first being CANNIBAL CORPSE at the Bloodstock Festival in 2018) but enough about me...let's move onto the presentation. The marching "The Four Horsemen/Choir Of The Damned" begins the gig; congregating a mass of fans into one in the infamous building known as London, Camden's The Roundhouse – one of my favourite local venues showcasing one of my favourite German purveyors of Big Tuetonic 4 Thrash Metal fury.

With the introduction out of the way; the "Enemy Of God" charges like a bulldozing burnstomper... blistering adrenaline, amplified chugs & boistrously bouncy energy. Forging a hardened dose of neck-breaking catchiness, chaotic firepower & a complexly dextrous barrage of pile-driving frenzies that thunder with ruthless pandemonium. Mille Petrozza I believe needs no introduction; the frontman excels into a energetic bombardment of savagery, and an adroitly composed dynamic of extreme aggression. Furnanced into an intricately designed formula of high-pitched raspiness, throaty snarls & vengeful yells that scream with monstrous soars. Onwards onto the 2017's "Gods Of Violence" record now with the riveting mammoth of "Hail To The Hordes"; Mille's guitar playing revs the soundboard, and audience alike with profusely robust snappiness. Manifesting meticulous songwriting musicianship, memorably organic substace & a borderline foundation of punchy yet jumpy meatiness.

Trailblazing with rawly rough momentum, primitive virtuosities & quintessential malevolence... the more old-school speedy thrasher "Awakening Of The Gods" shreds with sonically seamless riffs, rip-roaring rage & stampeding melody. Storming relentlessly with killer lacerations; mighty perseverence, and a frolicking gallop of concrety gritty instrumentation - fuelled into a high-octane hybrid that will melt faces in no time. "People Of The Lie" is a groovy curb-crusher, "you are to me, a waste of flesh and blood. I'd love to see; you buried in the mud, and when you die - no one will shed a tear. So pass me by, don't want your hatred here!" These lyrics alone will remain in your cerebral cortex as you think and hum these words while feeling continuously brutal... a hostile harmony indeed.

Returning to the "Gods Of Violence" with the titular track itself; this one delivers a flamboyant enchantment as the crowd chants "we...shall...kill!" turning the Roundhouse into a totalitarian massacre, as a beastly circle pit emerges from the depths of hell itself. Sami Yli-Sirniö on the other side of the guitars embellishes on experimental elements; implementing immersively inventive cords that swerve with rapidly swift nimbleness, snappy quirkiness & potently vibrant technicalities. "Satan Is Real" is another behemoth; armed to the teeth with rampent strikes, impactful force & razor-sharp triggers outbursting tight precision with steely outrè's of panache - pretty sure I went apeshit at this one...an easily replayable titan that has become one of my favourites for sure.

Backtracking an album in their discography; we fabricate into the dimension known as the "Mars Mantra" following into the monolithic titular track: the "Phantom Antichrist" as the whole human race shall die! ...embarking onto another maelstrom of volatile uproar, ultilizing uniquely versatile vehemence & upbeat havoc. Harnessing grinding bass audibility from Christian "Speesy" Giesler; who thumps his axe with strong weight, pulsating with yet stompy injections of infectious fretworks and furociously flawless execution. "Fallen Brother" investigates the ghosts of metal who left us way too early, celebrating the loss of every infamous rock/metal maniac who fell before us...Lemmy Kilmeister; Scott Columbus, Cliff Burton; Dimebag Darrell, Vinny Paul et cetera...to name a few. A heartfelt farewell to the pioneering legionaries who helped shape the metal landscape we know and love today...may they rest in peace. An anthemic ballad that pays homage in a excelling way, it's also a scorcher of a track too.

"It's time, to raise, the "Flag Of Hate!!" Comes into play next; a KREATOR staple if I'm not mistaken, and a must for every gig. Equally played with professional rebellion, and an adroit aesthetic of mandatory execution. Amalgamating a distinguished ramification of gnarly drum hammering from Ventor who is pretty much an animal at this rate, rambunctiously battering into a blitzkreig crushing machine. "Phobia"; the "Outcast" record tech thrash giant entreches souls with wildly rushing remedies, subjugating scattering quakes & spearheading static. Another chunky bruiser in which never fails to make a respectable racket. "Everyone against everyone!" "Hordes Of Chaos" brings forth terrifying triumphs, with mesmerizing yet radical velocities - another crowd pleaser that had fists pumping & the place rumbling!

"The Patriarch" powers up the vibe for a "Violent Revolution"; unshackling moods for complete destruction, a total killing spree & murderous traits that salubriously unveils hasty finesse while slabbed with immense carnage for that ultimate rage-induced embodiment of nasty filth-ridden madness. The penultimate track for the evening: "Pleasure To Kill" transcends the atmosphere for a hate-fuelled armageddon; revolving around a circle pit ritual of vicious proportions, and a concluding finale that left fans feeling relieved with the amount of aggression they left in their wake. "Apocalypticon" closes the night, overall revelled with absolute burning desires and a stage performance that was utmost fulfilling with no remorse nor uncompromising - finishing the night in spectacular fashion.

Wow, "London Apocalypticon - Live At The Roundhouse" has been one of my most anticipated releases of this year. Since the last major live records "Live At Dynamo Open Air 1998" (released July 7th, 2019) & the epic "Dying Alive" (August 13th, 2013) belters... this one in particular portrays that KREATOR show no boundaries of crafting creatively diligent expertise and having owning the Earbook Version; I am pleased to have it in my ever-growing collection. It includes a CD of this concert; "Live In Chile 2019" on CD, and "Masters Of Rock 2019" all on CD/DVD/Blu-Ray. (My edition being the Blu-Ray copy.) If the masterpiece rating hasn't convinced you enough, nor has my personal purchase of it...then there is not much else to say is there? This is clearly not for you.

Bottom line...BLOODY get it, right now. Ta very much.