Review Summary: Yep, this sure is a modern-era Kreator album all right
If you’re familiar with anything that Kreator has released in the last couple decades, you already know what Krushers Of The World sounds like. This is yet another iteration of their now signature formula, modernized thrash with melodeath-tinged guitar work and anthemic shout-alongs. The presentation still hits that pristine point between sterilized and adrenalized with speedy playing that never loses its polish. But compared to so many of the other Content Metal(TM) bands out there these days, I can’t be too mad at Kreator for being damn good at what they do.
While this album doesn’t quite hit the same levels of bombast as something like 2017’s Gods Of Violence, it noticeably leans even more on those melodic elements compared to 2022’s Hate Über Alles. “Tränenpalast” may be the most blatant example with its twinkly melodies stepping into borderline symphonic metal territory on top of the additional vocals from Hiraes’ Brittas Görtz. Even the faster workouts like the opening “Seven Serpents” may include a fade in with clean guitar and choirs before the onslaught.
There also seems to be more of an emphasis on mid-tempo tracks this time around, especially during the first half. “Satanic Anarchy” and the title track are early highlights in this regard, the former packing in some blistering rhythms and catchy vocals while the latter’s stomp is appropriately crushing (Krushing?). “Combatants” also puts a tight thrust forward and the closing “Loyal To The Grave” can border on a little too pandering but it threads the needle of almost ballad turned stadium metal assertion quite nicely.
As expected with such machinelike efficiency at play, the Kreator brand remains rock-solid with Krushers Of The World. This is the sort of album that’s more interested in pleasing their crowd than setting out to convert the skeptics, making for a listen that’s undeniably safe but also with enough memorable songwriting and charged up playing to keep from feeling too phoned in. Gods Of Violence may still be my personal sweet spot when it comes to modern-era Kreator but you’ll more than likely get out of it what you put in.
