Artist: Kreator
Label: Epic Records
Release Date: 1989
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Title: Extreme Aggression Artist: Kreator Label: Epic Records Release Date: 1989
Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Submitted by Solomon:
One would think with a reputation like Kreator's that the title Extreme Aggression is either redundant or unimaginative, but it fits this dirty little platter to a tee. This album should have been subtitled "The Record of 1,000 Riffs," because that's what you get: tons of brutal, cutthroat, razor-sharp guitar ditties that don't come up for air. Some may call Kreator a "death metal" band, and they may have influenced that scene, but there are no Cookie Monster vocals or down-tuned dirges here. Mille Petrozza's trademark sandpaper bark fits like a glove when placed in the context of Extreme Aggression. The material is an amalgamation of 80's thrash/speed metal, taking the pure carnage of Reign In Blood and fusing it with the intelligence of Ride The Lightning. Even the guitar tone has that dry, natural, punchy tone reminiscent of Metallica's early days. In fact, "Extreme Aggression" has so many Metallica and Slayer overtones you could accuse the band of being derivative, but good stuff is good stuff. You have to also respect the speed metal purity found here: no girlfriend soloists, no choirs, no keyboards, no acoustic guitar intros, not even a clean electric, just distorted, down-picked fury. In fact, "Betrayer" has one of the few half-time bits you can actually mosh to. Mind you, Extreme Aggression is not bone-headed: the musicianship here is tight and articulate, and the guitar solos pack plenty of bite (check out the massive harmonized solo in "Some Pain Will Last"). Several other parts stand out, for example, the awesome multiple-guitar lines in "Some Pain Will Last" (1:33), the Slayer groove in "Bringer of Torture" (1:03), and the chromatic intro to "Fatal Energy," just to name a few. The songs "No Reason to Exist" and "Don't Trust" are some of my favorites, with the verses leaning in the "Master of Puppets" direction. On the critical side, some of the lyrics reveal an immature, self-righteous "society sucks, we rule" attitude ("Extreme Aggression," "Love Us Or Hate Us") which I outgrew a long time ago, and a band photo is not the most original idea for a cover. Besides all that, this is one well-orchestrated kick in the face for those who want a thrash band who sticks to the tag.
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