Editing Kreator

{{Short description|German thrash metal band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name                = Kreator
| background          = group_or_band
| image               = File:Kreator - Reload Festival 2018 07 (cropped).jpg
| image_size          = 
| landscape           = yes
| caption             = Kreator performing at the Reload Festival in Germany, 2018
| alias               = {{flatlist|
* Metal Militia (1982)
* Tyrant (1982)
* Tormentor (1982–1984)}}
| origin              = [[Essen]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany
| genre               = [[Thrash metal]]<!-- only main genres -->
| discography         = [[Kreator discography]]
| years_active        = 1982–present
| label               = {{flatlist|
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[SPV GmbH|Steamhammer]]
* [[Drakkar Entertainment|Drakkar]]
* [[GUN Records|GUN]]
* [[Noise Records|Noise]]
* [[Combat Records|Combat]]
* [[Nuclear Blast]]}}
| website             = {{URL|http://www.kreator-terrorzone.de/}}
| current_members     = [[Mille Petrozza|Miland "Mille" Petrozza]]<br/>[[Jürgen Reil|Jürgen "Ventor" Reil]]<br/>[[Sami Yli-Sirniö]]<br/>[[Frédéric Leclercq]]
| past_members        = [[Michael Wulf]]<br/>Jörg "Tritze" Trzebiatowski<br/>[[Frank Blackfire|Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik]]<br/>Tommy Vetterli<br/>Roberto "Rob" Fioretti<br/>Andreas Herz<br/>Joe Cangelosi<br/>Christian "Speesy" Giesler
}}

'''Kreator''' is a German [[thrash metal]] band from [[Essen]], formed in 1982.<ref name="All Music Guide"/> Their current line-up consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist [[Mille Petrozza|Miland "Mille" Petrozza]], drummer [[Jürgen Reil|Jürgen "Ventor" Reil]], lead guitarist [[Sami Yli-Sirniö]], and bassist [[Frédéric Leclercq]]. The band's line-up has changed multiple times throughout its {{Age|1982|1|1}}-year career, most noticeably with their bassists and lead guitarists. Petrozza and Reil are the only two original members left in Kreator, although the latter had left the band in 1994 but rejoined in 1996. Yli-Sirniö has been the lead guitarist of Kreator since 2001, while Leclercq joined in 2019 as the replacement of Christian "Speesy" Giesler, who had been in the band since 1994.

Kreator has released fifteen studio albums, two EPs, two live albums and three compilation albums. They gained a large underground fanbase within the international thrash metal community,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=79798|title=Sunday Old School: Kreator|website=MetalUnderground.com|date=22 April 2015|access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> with their second studio album ''[[Pleasure to Kill]]'' (1986) regarded as an influential album of the genre.<ref name="All Music Guide">{{cite web|title=AllMusic - Kreator Biography|author=Eduardo Rivadavia|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=kreator-mn0000103324|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=26 March 2007}}</ref><ref name=history>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalandhorrormovies.com/Bands/Trashhiseng.htm |title=The History of Thrash Metal |publisher=Metal and Horror Movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428140706/http://www.metalandhorrormovies.com/Bands/Trashhiseng.htm |archive-date=28 April 2007 |access-date=7 December 2011}}</ref> Many of their subsequent albums — including ''[[Terrible Certainty]]'' (1987), ''[[Extreme Aggression]]'' (1989) and ''[[Coma of Souls]]'' (1990) — were also highly acclaimed.<ref name="GER">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicline.de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Kreator/longplay|title=Kreator > Longplay-Chartverfolgung|publisher=PhonoNet|language=de|access-date=16 December 2008}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite being an influential band,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espguitars.com/articles/2009244-artist-spotlight-speesy-kreator|title=Artist Spotlight: Speesy (Kreator)|website=The ESP Guitar Company|date=22 March 2018 }}</ref> as well as one of the first European thrash metal acts to sign to a major label (signing to [[Epic Records]] in 1988), Kreator would not achieve mainstream popularity until later albums, including their thirteenth studio album ''[[Phantom Antichrist]]'' (2012) and its follow-up ''[[Gods of Violence]]'' (2017), both of which charted highly in many countries, with the latter reaching number one on the [[GfK Entertainment charts|German charts]].<ref name="GER"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Kreator/?type=longplay|title=Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline|website=Musicline.de|access-date=4 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818053140/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Kreator/?type=longplay|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kreator-mn0000103324/awards|title=Kreator - Awards|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> Their latest studio album, ''[[Hate Über Alles]]'', was released on 10 June 2022,<ref name="midnight sun">{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-releases-music-video-for-new-single-midnight-sun|title=Kreator Releases Music Video For New Single 'Midnight Sun'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=6 May 2022|access-date=6 May 2022}}</ref> and the band is currently working on new material for their next album.<ref name="metalstorm">{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=51450|title=Kreator - Confirm Japanese 'Klash Of The Titans' Tour Dates|publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]|access-date=16 October 2023|date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

Kreator has achieved worldwide sales of over two million units for combined sales of all their albums, making them one of the best-selling German thrash metal bands of all time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kreator To Embark on North American Tour|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-to-embark-on-north-american-tour/|date=8 August 2002|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kreator|website=Memim.com|url=http://memim.com/kreator.html|access-date=19 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206012224/http://memim.com/kreator.html|archive-date=6 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kreator Bio|website=kreator-terrorzone.de|url=https://kreator-terrorzone.de/about|date=26 January 2020|access-date=26 January 2020|archive-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512164255/https://kreator-terrorzone.de/about|url-status=dead}}</ref> Along with [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]], [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]] and [[Tankard (band)|Tankard]], they are credited as one of the "Big Four" of [[Teutonic thrash metal]],<ref name="big four">{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-sodom-destruction-tankard-the-big-teutonic-4-to-release-new-10-inch-single/|title=KREATOR, SODOM, DESTRUCTION, TANKARD: 'The Big Teutonic 4' To Release New 10-Inch Single|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=10 February 2015|access-date=18 September 2015}}</ref> responsible for developing and popularizing the German thrash metal scene as well as pioneering the then-emerging [[death metal]] and [[black metal]] genres during the mid-1980s.<ref name="Metal Storm">{{cite web|title = Metal Storm - The Categorization of Death Metal|publisher=Metal Storm|url=http://www.metalstorm.ee/pub/article.php?article_id=73|access-date=25 March 2007|date=23 November 2005}}</ref><ref name=Backbeatbooks>{{cite book |last= Mcpadden |first= Mike |year= 2012 |title=If you like Metallica : here are over 200 bands, CDs, movies, and other oddities that you will love |publisher=Backbeat Books |page= 105-106}}</ref>

==History==
===Formation and early releases (1982–1987)===
The band was originally formed as Metal Militia in 1982 in [[Essen|Essen, Germany]] and then became Tyrant. Later they used the name Tormentor until 1984, when they changed to its current name Kreator. The original line-up featured lead vocalist and guitarist [[Mille Petrozza]], drummer [[Jürgen Reil|Jürgen "Ventor" Reil]], and bassist Rob Fioretti. Kreator recorded their debut album, ''[[Endless Pain]]'' (1985), in just ten days.{{cn|date=October 2024}} The band hired then-future [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]] guitarist [[Michael Wulf]] for the album's tour to play lead, while Petrozza switched to rhythm guitar.

Wulf was in the band for a few days but, contrary to the liner notes, he never played on the band's second album, ''[[Pleasure to Kill]]'' (1986), which is widely considered a thrash classic<ref name="Sorted MagAZine">{{cite web|title=Sorted MagAZine - Review of ''Pleasure to Kill''|author=Ken Blackmore|publisher=Sorted MagAZine|url=http://sortedmagazine.com/Distorted.php3?nID=354|access-date=26 March 2007}}</ref><ref name=HailMetal.com>{{cite web|title=HailMetal.com - HailMetal.com's Top 50 Thrash Albums of All Time|website=HailMetal.com|url=http://www.hailmetal.com/gate.html?name=BestOfThrash|access-date=26 March 2007|year=2006}}</ref><ref name="All Music Guide"/> and a big influence on the [[death metal]] genre.<ref>{{cite web |title=CD Gallery - Kreator |url=http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/kreator.htm |publisher=No Life 'til Metal |access-date=7 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="history"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Cosmo |orig-date=2006 |title=Interview with Cannibal Corpse |url=http://invisibleoranges.com/interviews/cannibalcorpse.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703180313/http://invisibleoranges.com/interviews/cannibalcorpse.html |archive-date=3 July 2007 |access-date=7 December 2011 |website=[[Invisible Oranges]]}}</ref> It would not be until 31 years after its release that ''Pleasure to Kill'' entered the German album charts.<ref name="GER"/> Produced by [[Harris Johns]] (who had also worked with Sodom, [[Helloween]] and [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]]), the album showed the band growing in talent and technical ability. The song "Flag of Hate" became a concert standard, and the band became one of the most promising up-and-coming European metal acts. The band started their first tour ever (before the release of ''Pleasure to Kill'', they had only played five gigs total); they played their first shows outside of Germany during the fall of 1986, touring Europe with [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]] and [[Celtic Frost]], and during the spring of 1987, they toured North America for the first time, opening for Voivod on their ''[[Killing Technology]]'' tour.<ref name="metallipromo">{{cite web|url=http://metallipromo.com/kr.html|title=Kreator Tour Dates|work=metallipromo.com|access-date=11 December 2020}}</ref> Kreator's first [[extended play|EP]], ''[[Flag of Hate]]'', was also released in 1986, and around this time, Jörg "Tritze" Trzebiatowski had joined the band.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

===Rising popularity (1987–1991)===
In 1987, Kreator released its third studio album, ''[[Terrible Certainty]]'', which is often considered a high-quality album as the arrangements on the album were more complex and the tempos more varied.<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|title=AllMusic - Review of ''Terrible Certainty'' |author=Vincent Jeffries |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=terrible-certainty-mw0000199537|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=26 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/628q51XQN?url=http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/Rihanna/chart-history/658897?f=793&g=Singles |archive-date= 2 October 2011 }}</ref> The album featured another hit "Behind the Mirror", and the band's popularity continued to grow and a music video for "Toxic Trace" received airplay on [[MTV]]. They managed to find enough time and money (coming from their concerts) to finance another EP, ''[[Out of the Dark... Into the Light]]'' (1988). By this point, Kreator had graduated to headlining their own tours, as well as playing at theaters and arenas with bands such as [[Megadeth]], Voivod, [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]], [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]] and Holy Terror.<ref name="metallipromo" />

Berlin-based [[independent record label]] [[Noise Records]] licensed Kreator for the territories outside of Europe and Japan to the major-label [[Epic Records]], with whom the band signed in 1988. Their fourth studio album and debut with Epic (for limited territories) ''[[Extreme Aggression]]'', recorded in Los Angeles, became a metal hit in Europe upon its release in 1989; however, the album would not enter the German album charts until 28 years after its release.<ref name="GER"/> Continuing the ''Terrible Certainty'' formula while showing Kreator continue to progress musically, and with better production by the well-regarded [[Randy Burns (music producer)|Randy Burns]] (who had also worked with Megadeth, [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]], [[Nuclear Assault]], [[Death (metal band)|Death]], [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]], among others), the album featured the band's first major singles, the title track, "Betrayer" and the radio-only "Love Us or Hate Us", gaining support from the Southern California radio station [[KBUE#KNAC|KNAC]], and the video for "Betrayer" receiving airplay on MTV's ''[[Headbangers Ball]]''.<ref name="knac">{{cite web|url=http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=23981|title=Four 80's Era KREATOR Classics To Be Reissued|work=[[KBUE#KNAC|KNAC.COM]]|access-date=11 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Headbangers Ball- The Unofficial Tribute Site - Episode Database|url=https://www.headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com/episode-database|work=headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com|access-date=11 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhard.gr/somewhere-back-time/day-remember-1906-kreator|title=A Day To Remember... 19/06 [KREATOR]|work=[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rockhard Greece]]|language=el|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-date=23 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823042008/http://www.rockhard.gr/somewhere-back-time/day-remember-1906-kreator|url-status=dead}}</ref> This – as well as playing with bands like [[King Diamond (band)|King Diamond]], [[Raven (British band)|Raven]], [[Coroner (band)|Coroner]], [[Suicidal Tendencies]], Death, and [[Sadus]] – greatly expanded their popularity outside of Germany.<ref name="metallipromo" /><ref name="knac"/>

Also in 1989, German director Thomas Schadt made a documentary about Kreator (focusing on the social aspect of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] in the [[Ruhr]] area) titled ''Thrash Altenessen'' (named after the band's hometown, a suburb of Essen). Tritze left Kreator after the release of''Extreme Aggression''. In 1990, with new guitarist [[Frank Blackfire|Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik]] (then-formerly of [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]]), the band released their fifth studio album ''[[Coma of Souls]]'', again produced by Burns. The album was not quite as praised as the band's previous few albums (many felt it was "rushed" and repetitive),<ref name="All Music Guide"/> but it still managed sell and maintain popularity quite well, with the singles "When the Sun Burns Red" and "People of the Lie" becoming hits.

===Experimentation (1992–2000)===
The early 1990s brought a decline in the popularity of traditional thrash metal, which was replaced by [[grunge]]. By 1992, Kreator had been released from their American contract with [[Sony Music|CBS/Sony Music]], then-home of the likes of [[Alice in Chains]] and [[Pearl Jam]]. Their sixth studio album ''[[Renewal (Kreator album)|Renewal]]'' was released in the fall of that year, and featured heavy death metal and [[industrial metal|industrial]] influences.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} While reaching a newer audience, the band upset many longtime fans, accusing them of "[[selling out]]".<ref name="UTTER DARK webzine">{{cite web|title=UTTER DARK webzine – Kreator interview|author=Bertrand Garnier|publisher=UTTER DARK webzine|url=http://utterdark.free.fr/kreator1.htm|access-date=27 March 2007|date=29 February 2000}}</ref><ref name="Extreem Metaal"/> Kreator experienced a decline in popularity as the result of the backlash against the album.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The line-up of the band had also underwent significant changes. Founding member Roberto Fioretti left the band after the recording of the album and was replaced by Andreas Herz. In 1994, Reil left as well, leaving Petrozza the sole original band member. Reil was replaced by Joe Cangelosi while Herz left the same year and was replaced by Christian "Speesy" Giesler. During this time, Kreator had ended their tenure with Noise Records and signed with [[GUN Records]]. The new line-up released the album ''[[Cause for Conflict]]'' in 1995. The songs bore a heavy influence of such bands as [[Pantera]] and [[Machine Head (band)|Machine Head]] as well as the partial resemblance of ''Renewal''.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}

Gosdzik and Cangelosi both left in 1996 and were replaced by Tommy Vetterli (then-formerly of [[Coroner (band)|Coroner]]) and a returning Reil, respectively. Kreator continued to experiment producing ''[[Outcast (Kreator album)|Outcast]]'' (1997) and ''[[Endorama]]'' (1999), with [[ambient music|ambient]] and [[gothic rock|gothic]] influences, incorporated [[sampling (music)|samples]] and [[loop (music)|loops]]. However, the record sales went down, and by the end of the 1990s, the band had reached commercial and critical nadir.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} Despite that, Petrozza was quoted as stating: "For us, success doesn't define in record sales. So all our albums have been successful for us, because we've achieved what we were aiming for."<ref name="Extreem Metaal">{{cite web|title=Extreem Metaal - Kreator|publisher=Extreem Metaal|url=http://www.extreemmetaal.nl/interviews/interviews/kreator_duitsland.html|access-date=27 March 2007|date=21 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301095851/http://www.extreemmetaal.nl/interviews/interviews/kreator_duitsland.html|archive-date=1 March 2007}}</ref>

===Return in style (2001–2009)===
[[File:Kreator by Christian Misje.jpg|220px|thumb|left|Kreator performing live at [[Hole in the Sky (festival)|Hole in the Sky]] in 2007]]
In 2001, with new lead guitarist [[Sami Yli-Sirniö]], Kreator released their tenth studio album ''[[Violent Revolution]]'', which saw the band returning to its classic thrash metal style. Despite containing a lot of melodic and so-called "[[Melodic death metal|Gothenburg metal]]" riffs, ''Violent Revolution'' was praised by fans and critics alike and benefited from the 2000s thrash metal revival movement, led by the likes of [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]], [[Slayer]], [[Megadeth]], [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]] and [[Testament (band)|Testament]].<ref name="Ultimate Metal Reviews">{{cite web|title=Ultimate Metal Reviews – Review of ''Violent Revolution''|publisher=Ultimate Metal Reviews|url=http://www.metal-reviews.com/ijk/kre-vr.htm|access-date=27 March 2007|archive-date=5 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205121112/http://www.metal-reviews.com/ijk/kre-vr.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Metal Storm Review">{{cite web|title=Metal Storm – Review of ''Violent Revolution''|publisher=Metal Storm|url=http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/album.php?album_id=986&band_id=&bandname=Kreator|access-date=27 March 2007|date=19 September 2003}}</ref><ref name="Maelstrom Zine">{{cite web|title=Maelstrom Zine - Review of ''Violent Revolution''|publisher=Maelstrom Zine|url=http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss8_322.php|access-date=27 March 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012132918/http://maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss8_322.php|archive-date=12 October 2007}}</ref><ref name="AllMusic Violent Revolution review">{{cite web|title=Allmusic - Review of ''Violent Revolution'' |author=Gary Hill |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=violent-revolution-mw0000013894|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=27 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/628q51XQN?url=http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/Rihanna/chart-history/658897?f=793&g=Singles |archive-date= 2 October 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-best-thrash-songs-from-2000-18|title=The 10 best thrash songs from 2000-2020|publisher=[[Metal Hammer|Louder]]|date=31 July 2018|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> The tour was extremely successful and introduced Kreator to a younger generation of metal fans. Yli-Sirniö, who lived in Germany, was known to be a good guitar player, so the band recruited him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Kreator_HELL-sinki.htm |title=Kreator interview in HELL-sinki |website=Metal-Rules.com |date=24 January 2002 |access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref> A live album ''[[Live Kreation]]'' and live DVD ''[[Live Kreation: Revisioned Glory]]'' were both released in 2003, and their eleventh studio album – emphasizing more on the Gothenburg influences – ''[[Enemy of God (album)|Enemy of God]]'' was released in 2005. This album also saw a special edition re-release in 2006 called ''Enemy of God: Revisited''. In early 2006, Kreator toured North America with [[Napalm Death]], [[A Perfect Murder (band)|A Perfect Murder]], and The Undying. There was a joint headline European tour with [[Celtic Frost]] in 2007 with support from [[Watain]], and Kreator were to tour in 2008 with [[King Diamond (band)|King Diamond]], [[Leaves' Eyes]], and [[Cellador]]; however, this tour was canceled due to back issues with [[King Diamond]].

In March 2008, the ''At the Pulse of Kapitulation'' DVD was released, featuring ''Live in East Berlin'' and ''[[Hallucinative Comas]]'' on one disc. Both had previously been available on VHS only and were long out of print. The band had also begun working on their twelfth full-length album in late 2007/early 2008 and began recording in July 2008. Recording for the album, titled ''[[Hordes of Chaos (album)|Hordes of Chaos]]'', was wrapped up in late August, with the album being released in January 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104614|title=KREATOR: More New Album Details Revealed|date=12 September 2008|access-date=9 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021231134/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BlabberMouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104614|archive-date=21 October 2008}}</ref> On 23 January 2009, the band began their "Chaos Over Europe" tour in Tilburg (the Netherlands) with [[Caliban (band)|Caliban]], [[Eluveitie]] and Emergency Gate as other acts. In April 2009, the band embarked on a North American headlining tour, co-headlined by [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], and supported by [[Belphegor (band)|Belphegor]], [[Warbringer]], and Epicurean. In late 2009, Reil was forced to sit out some tour dates due to personal issues, with [[Marco Minnemann]] temporarily taking his place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126336| title=KREATOR Drummer Forced to Sit Out Shows; Temporary Replacement Announced| date=2 September 2009| access-date=11 May 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907011504/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126336| archive-date=7 September 2009}}</ref>

===''Phantom Antichrist'' and ''Gods of Violence'' (2010–2017)===
Kreator signed with [[Nuclear Blast]] in early 2010, before embarking on a North American tour in March to celebrate their 25th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=136126| title=KREATOR Kicks Off North American Tour; Setlist Revealed, Video Available| date=4 March 2010| access-date=11 May 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507132036/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=136126| archive-date=7 May 2010}}</ref> A European tour with [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], [[Death Angel]] and [[Suicidal Angels]], entitled Thrashfest, took place in late 2010. On 1 June 2012, they released their thirteenth studio album ''[[Phantom Antichrist]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/band/discography/details/764347.71104.phantom-antichrist.html | date=1 June 2012 |access-date=12 October 2012 |title=Phantom Antichrist - Kreator}}</ref> Kreator co-headlined a 23-date North American tour that fall with Nuclear Blast labelmates [[Accept (band)|Accept]]. Entitled the Teutonic Terror Attack 2012 tour, they were supported by Finland's [[Swallow the Sun]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acceptworldwide.com/kreator-accept-announce-teutonic-terror-attack-2012-tour/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717020451/http://www.acceptworldwide.com/kreator-accept-announce-teutonic-terror-attack-2012-tour/|url-status=dead|title=KREATOR & ACCEPT ANNOUNCE TEUTONIC TERROR ATTACK 2012 TOUR|website=Archive.today|archive-date=17 July 2012|access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref> Kreator performed alongside [[Suidakra]] in [[Bangalore]] on 16 June 2012.

Kreator released a music video for "Civilization Collapse" on 28 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kreator 'Civilization Collapse' Video Premiere|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/kreator-civilisation-collapse-video-premiere/|website=Metalhammer.co.uk|access-date=30 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201023129/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/kreator-civilisation-collapse-video-premiere/|archive-date=1 December 2012}}</ref>

In a November 2013 interview, Mille Petrozza stated that Kreator would begin work on their fourteenth studio album after the ''Phantom Antichrist'' tour for a 2016 release.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kreator's Mille Petrozza: No New Studio Album Until 2015 At The Earliest|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-no-new-studio-album-until-2015-at-the-earliest/|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=26 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metaldescent.com/kreator/|title=Kreator – Bio, Discography and History|website=Metaldescent.com|date=5 December 2014|access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=KREATOR – Interview with Mille Petrozza|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2013/11/24/kreator-interview-with-mille-petrozza-2/|website=Metal-Rules.com|date=24 November 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tapdetroit.com/see-the-muzic-news-interview-with-mille-petrozza-from-kreator/|title=See The Muzic News: Interview with Mille Petrozza from Kreator|website=TapDetroit.com|date=5 December 2014|access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref> However, Petrozza said that the album would not be released until 2017. On 30 August that year, they released a two-disc live album called ''[[Dying Alive]]''. It contained 24 tracks recorded at Turbinehalle in Oberhausen, Germany.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/no-new-kreator-studio-album-before-2017-says-mille-petrozza/|title=No New KREATOR Studio Album Before 2017, Says Mille Petrozza|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=27 August 2015|access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref> On 14 October 2016, it was announced that Kreator's fourteenth studio album would be called ''[[Gods of Violence]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-to-release-gods-of-violence-album-in-january/|title=KREATOR To Release 'Gods of Violence' Album in January|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=14 October 2016|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref> and it was released on 27 January 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-gods-of-violence-album-details-revealed/|title=KREATOR: 'Gods of Violence' Album Details Revealed|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=28 October 2016|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref> A music video for the album's title track was released on 18 November 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/video-premiere-kreator-gods-of-violence/|title=Video Premiere: KREATOR's 'Gods of Violence'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=18 November 2016|access-date=18 November 2016}}</ref> ''Gods of Violence'' received generally positive reviews, and was their first album to reach number one on the German charts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-gods-of-violence-tops-german-chart/|title=KREATOR's 'Gods of Violence' Tops German Chart|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=3 February 2017|access-date=3 February 2017}}</ref> To promote the album, Kreator embarked on a headlining European tour in February and March 2017, with support from [[Sepultura]], [[Soilwork]] and [[Aborted]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-to-tour-europe-with-sepultura-soilwork-aborted/|title=Kreator To Tour Europe With Sepultura, Soilwork, Aborted|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=11 May 2016|access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref> and co-headlined the Decibel Magazine tour with [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]] in March and April.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-and-obituary-to-join-forces-for-decibel-magazine-tour/|title=Kreator And Obituary To Join Forces For 'Decibel Magazine Tour'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=5 December 2016|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref> In late April, the band announced an Australian tour with [[Vader (band)|Vader]], which took place in September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/german-thrash-heroes-kreator-announce-2017-australian-tour/|title=German Thrash Heroes Kreator Announce 2017 Australian Tour|website=Musicfeeds.com.au|date=20 April 2017 |access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> They embarked on two tours in 2018: one in Europe with [[Decapitated (band)|Decapitated]] and [[Dagoba (band)|Dagoba]] in January,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-announces-early-2018-european-tour-with-decapitated-dagoba/|title=Kreator Announces Early 2018 European Tour With Decapitated, Dagoba|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=31 August 2017|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> followed by a co-headlining North American tour with [[Sabaton (band)|Sabaton]] in February and March.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-announces-early-2018-european-tour-with-decapitated-dagoba/|title=Sabaton And Kreator To Join Forces For North American Co-Headlining Tour|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=30 October 2017|access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref>

===Split with Christian Giesler, ''Hate Über Alles'' and upcoming sixteenth studio album (2018–present)===
[[File:2018 RiP - Kreator - by 2eight - 8SC9101.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Kreator at [[Rock im Park]] 2018]]
About three months after the release of ''Gods of Violence'', Petrozza mentioned a follow-up album, saying, "Maybe we should work with a different producer. Maybe we should go to a different country to record the album. Maybe we should write a more metal or more full-on thrash metal. Whatever we feel, first and foremost, that is the most important thing. Time will tell."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/community_feed/mille_petrozza_on_the_next_kreator_album.html|title=Mille Petrozza on the Next Kreator Album|website=Ultimate-Guitar.com|date=17 April 2017|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref> In a September 2017 interview with Australia's Silver Tiger Media, Petrozza stated that Kreator could do another album after ''Gods of Violence'' but "not yet."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-frontman-im-always-overwhelmed-by-the-fact-that-theres-people-out-there-who-like-what-we-do/|title=Kreator Frontman: 'I'm Always Overwhelmed by the Fact That There's People Out There Who Like What We Do'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=30 September 2017|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> When asked in February 2018 about the band's future, Petrozza said, "I think we're gonna take next year off and write a new record. That's the plan at least. We'll see what happens. I don't put myself under pressure. Let's see how I feel after this tour, and if I have ideas for new music, I will book a studio and start working on demos as soon as I have the time. And then I'll come up with some new stuff."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-frontman-i-dont-wanna-wait-another-five-years-for-the-next-record/|title=Kreator Frontman: 'I Don't Wanna Wait Another Five Years for the Next Record'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=27 February 2018|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> He told ''Guitar Interactive'' magazine in July 2018 that Kreator would take 2019 off to focus on writing the new album, which was planned for release in the summer of 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreators-mille-petrozza-is-planning-to-release-next-album-in-the-summer-of-2020/|title=Kreator's Mille Petrozza Is Planning To Release Next Album In The Summer Of 2020|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=31 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018}}</ref> Petrozza later stated their new album was not expected to be released until the summer of 2021.<ref name="deadline mag">{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline-magazin.de/im-gespraech-mit-mille-von-kreator/|title=IM GESPRÄCH MIT MILLE VON KREATOR|date=20 January 2020 |publisher=deadline-magazin.de|language=de|access-date=9 May 2020}}</ref>

In the beginning of December, Kreator embarked on a tour of Europe, entitled the European Apocalypse, with [[Dimmu Borgir]], [[Hatebreed]] and [[Bloodbath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-and-dimmu-borgir-announce-european-co-headlining-tour/|title=Kreator and Dimmu Borgir announce European co-headlining tour|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=8 June 2018|access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> It was also announced that the final concert of the European Apocalypse in London would be filmed and produced as a live DVD in 2019;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-london-concert-to-be-professionally-filmed/|title= Kreator's London concert to be professionally filmed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=6 December 2018|access-date= 16 January 2019}}</ref> titled ''London Apocalypticon - Live at the Roundhouse'', this DVD was released on 14 February 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-announces-new-live-release-london-apocalypticon-live-at-the-roundhouse/|title=KREATOR Announces New Live Release 'London Apocalypticon - Live at the Roundhouse'|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=29 November 2019|date=29 November 2019}}</ref> Kreator supported [[Slayer]] on their [[Slayer Farewell Tour|final world tour]], appearing at the Santiago Gets Louder festival in Chile on 6 October 2019, along with [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] and [[Pentagram Chile]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SLAYER, MEGADETH And ANTHRAX To Share Stage at SANTIAGO GETS LOUDER Festival|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-megadeth-and-anthrax-to-share-stage-at-santiago-gets-louder-festival/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=7 June 2019|date=30 May 2019}}</ref>

On 16 September 2019, it was announced that Christian "Speesy" Giesler had left Kreator after 25 years as their bassist, and was replaced by [[Frédéric Leclercq]], who had recently left [[DragonForce]].<ref>{{cite web|title=KREATOR Welcome Frédéric Leclercq As New Bass Player|url=https://capitalchaostv.com/2019/09/16/kreator-welcome-frederic-leclercq-as-new-bass-player/|website=Capitalchaostv.com|access-date=16 September 2019|date=16 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="deadline mag"/>

On 26 March 2020, Kreator released a music video for "666 - World Divided", which marked their first song in three years and their first one since Leclercq joined the band.<ref>{{cite web|title=KREATOR Surprise-Releases New Single, '666 - World Divided'|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-surprise-releases-new-single-666-world-divided/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=10 April 2020|date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

On 20 July 2020, Petrozza posted a picture of himself in the studio on his Instagram page, which indicated that Kreator was working on their next album.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kreator Appear To Be in the Studio|url=https://www.theprp.com/2020/07/20/news/kreator-appear-to-be-in-the-studio/|website=theprp.com|access-date=20 July 2020|date=20 July 2020}}</ref> Petrozza confirmed two months later that Kreator had been writing new material "in the last couple of months", and that he was recording vocals for the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-is-in-studio-working-on-new-music/|title=KREATOR Is in Studio Working on New Music|date=10 September 2020|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref> In a March 2021 interview, Petrozza revealed that Kreator was supposed to start recording their new album in February, but added that this plan was interrupted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He also went on to say that he wants "the album to come out and go on a world tour right afterwards" and revealed that Arthur Rizk would produce it.<ref>{{cite web|title=KREATOR Frontman Names Producer For New Album, Says LP Won't Be Released Before Tour|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-frontman-names-producer-for-new-album-says-lp-wont-be-released-before-tour/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=9 March 2021|date=9 March 2021}}</ref> The band announced in September 2021 that they had begun recording the album at Hansa Tonstudio in [[Berlin|Berlin, Germany]] with Rizk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=43360|title=Kreator - Begin Recording 15th Studio Album|publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]|access-date=17 September 2021|date=17 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-begins-recording-new-album-with-producer-arthur-rizk/|title=KREATOR Begins Recording New Album With Producer ARTHUR RIZK|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=20 September 2021|date=20 September 2021}}</ref> In December 2021, Petrozza announced on his Instagram page that their new album would be released in the summer of 2022, preceded by a "new single SOON!".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreators-new-album-to-arrive-in-the-summer-first-single-due-soon/|title=KREATOR's New Album To Arrive In The Summer, First Single Due 'Soon'|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=2 January 2022|date=31 December 2021}}</ref> On 4 February 2022, the band released the title track from ''[[Hate Über Alles]]'' as the album's first single, and announced on the same day that the album would be released on 3 June;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-announces-hate-uber-alles-album-releases-music-video-for-title-track/|title=KREATOR Announces 'Hate Über Alles' Album, Releases Music Video For Title Track|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=4 February 2022|date=4 February 2022}}</ref> its release date was later pushed back to 10 June.<ref name="midnight sun"/> A video for the second single from ''Hate Über Alles'', "Strongest of the Strong", was released on 8 April 2022,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-releases-music-video-for-new-single-strongest-of-the-strong/|title=KREATOR Releases Music Video For New Single 'Strongest Of The Strong'|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=8 April 2022|access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref> followed less than a month later by its third single "Midnight Sun".<ref name="midnight sun"/> A fourth music video was released for "Conquer and Destroy" on 22 May 2023, though unlike the previous three music videos, this song was not released as a single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-releases-music-video-for-conquer-and-destroy|title=KREATOR Releases Music Video For 'Conquer And Destroy'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=22 May 2023|access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref>

Kreator promoted ''Hate Über Alles'' with a world tour, including supporting [[Mercyful Fate]] on their first North American tour in over 20 years in late 2022,<ref>{{cite web|title=MERCYFUL FATE Announces First North American Tour In Over Two Decades; KREATOR To Support|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/mercyful-fate-announces-first-north-american-tour-in-over-two-decades-kreator-to-support|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=19 October 2022|date=6 September 2022}}</ref> and touring Europe with [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]] and [[Municipal Waste (band)|Municipal Waste]], during the winter of 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=LAMB OF GOD And KREATOR Announce MUNICIPAL WASTE As Support For 2023 European Tour|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/lamb-of-god-and-kreator-announce-municipal-waste-as-support-for-2023-european-tour|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=16 December 2022|date=13 December 2022}}</ref> They also co-headlined the Klash of the Titans tour throughout the spring of 2023, first in Latin America with [[Testament (band)|Testament]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/kreator-and-testament-join-forces-for-klash-of-the-titans-latin-american-tour|title=KREATOR And TESTAMENT Join Forces For Klash Of The Titans Latin American Tour|publisher=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=October 19, 2022|date=October 19, 2022}}</ref> and then in North America with [[Sepultura]], the latter supported by [[Death Angel]] and Spiritworld.<ref>{{cite web|title=KREATOR And SEPULTURA Announce Spring 2023 North American Tour With DEATH ANGEL|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-and-sepultura-announce-spring-2023-north-american-tour-with-death-angel|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=16 January 2023|date=16 January 2023}}</ref> The band continued to tour in support of ''Hate Über Alles'' throughout 2024, including touring Japan in January–February with [[In Flames]],<ref name="metalstorm" /> co-headlining a North American tour with Testament in September–October (with [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]] as the opening act),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/testament-and-kreator-announce-klash-of-the-titans-north-american-tour-with-possessed|title=TESTAMENT And KREATOR Announce 'Klash Of The Titans' North American Tour With POSSESSED|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=April 30, 2024|date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> and co-headlining a European trek in November–December with Anthrax and support from Testament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/anthrax-kreator-and-testament-announce-fall-2024-european-tour|title=ANTHRAX, KREATOR And TESTAMENT Announce Fall 2024 European Tour|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=January 22, 2024|date=January 22, 2024}}</ref> They also headlined the Klash of the Ruhrpott festival at Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen in [[Gelsenkirchen]], [[Germany]] on 20 July 2024, which saw all of the "[[Teutonic thrash metal|Big Teutonic Four]]" bands (Kreator, [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]], [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]] and [[Tankard (band)|Tankard]]) on stage together for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-31 |title='Big Four' Of German Thrash Metal, KREATOR, SODOM, DESTRUCTION And TANKARD, Announce 2024 Festival |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/big-four-of-german-thrash-metal-kreator-sodom-destruction-and-tankard-announce-2024-festival |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |language=en}}</ref> Touring for ''Hate Über Alles'' continued into 2025, with the band headlining the upcoming Demonic Summer tour with [[Rotting Christ]] and [[Warbringer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-announces-spring-summer-2025-european-tour|title=KREATOR Announces Spring/Summer 2025 European Tour|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 3, 2024|date=February 3, 2024}}</ref>

By October 2023, Kreator had begun working on new material for their sixteenth studio album,<ref name="metalstorm" /> which the band had planned to start recording in early 2025;<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2023 |title=KREATOR To Record New Album In Early 2025 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-to-record-new-album-in-early-2025 |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |language=en}}</ref> however, Petrozza has stated that it will not be released until 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/no-new-kreator-album-until-2026-i-need-to-take-my-time-says-mille-petrozza|title=No New KREATOR Album Until 2026: 'I Need To Take My Time', Says MILLE PETROZZA|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=May 15, 2024|date=May 15, 2024}}</ref> A documentary about the band is tentatively due in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/official-kreator-documentary-is-in-the-works|title=Official KREATOR Documentary Is In The Works|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=October 26, 2023|date=October 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/mille-petrozza-already-has-a-bunch-of-songs-written-for-next-kreator-album | title=MILLE PETROZZA Already Has 'A Bunch of Songs' Written for Next KREATOR Album | date=November 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kreators-mille-petrozza-we-wanna-progress-as-musicians-and-come-up-with-new-exciting-stuff | title=KREATOR's MILLE PETROZZA: 'We Wanna Progress as Musicians and Come up with New, Exciting Stuff' | date=5 November 2023 }}</ref>

Former Kreator bassist Andreas Herz died in December 2023; the news of his death was confirmed by Petrozza.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=51998 | title=Kreator - Former Bassist Dies }}</ref>

==Musical style and influences==
Kreator's musical style is similar to that of their compatriots [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]], [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]] and [[Tankard (band)|Tankard]], which is usually more complex and, since ''[[Violent Revolution]]'' (2001), has been more melodic. Along with those bands, Kreator has been referred to as one of the "Big Four" of [[Teutonic thrash metal]],<ref name="big four"/> and they are often credited with helping pioneer [[death metal]] and [[black metal]] by containing several elements of what was to become those genres.<ref name="Metal Storm"/><ref name=Backbeatbooks/> 

The band's style has changed several times over the years, from a [[Venom (band)|Venom]]-inspired [[speed metal]] sound,<ref>''Live Kreation: Revisioned Glory'' DVD: The first scene of the history of the band section.</ref> later moving into thrash metal, and including a period of transitioning from thrash to [[industrial metal|industrial]] and [[gothic metal]] throughout the 1990s.<ref name="noise">{{cite web|url=http://www.noiserecords.net/artists/kreator/ |title=Kreator - Biography |publisher=[[Noise Records]] |access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref> Eduardo Rivadavia of ''[[AllMusic]]'' assessed the band's early material: "Like many of their European [[speed metal]] brethren, Kreator fused the [[The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria|big four]]'s thrash innovations with Venom's proto-black metal imagery, sparked it with [[Motörhead]]'s terminal velocity, and capped it off with the [[Nihilism|nihilistic]] outlook typical of [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] since the seminal days of [[Black Sabbath]]." Rivadavia assessed: "Kreator's career also mirrored speed metal's rising and waning fortunes: moving from strength to strength throughout the '80s. [...] As the new decade gave birth to [[grunge]], Kreator felt it necessary to evolve, spending most of the rest of the decade taking their collective foot off the [[Gas pedal|gas]] and exploring various combinations of [[Industrial music|industrial]], [[Gothic rock|goth[ic] rock]], and [[Alternative rock|alternative]] sounds resulting on 1999's [[post-metal]] ''Endorama''." In the early 2000s, Kreator returned to their traditional thrash metal sound, which has continued to the present.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kreator Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More {{!}} A... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kreator-mn0000103324 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> 

Kreator has been influenced by a variety of music, including [[post-punk]] bands [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]],<ref name=rocking>{{cite web|first=Kostas |last=Polyzos|url=https://www.rocking.gr/interviews/Kreator-interview-Mille-Petrozza/17193|title=Kreator interview (Mille Petrozza)|publisher=Rocking |date=11 September 2013|access-date=2 September 2020}}</ref> [[hardcore punk]] bands [[Bad Religion]],<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|title=Kreator - Similar Artists|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kreator-mn0000103324/related|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref> [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]],<ref>{{cite web|title=D.R.I. To Release New EP In June|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=19887|publisher=[[KNAC]]|access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref> [[the Exploited]], [[GBH (band)|GBH]] and [[Raw Power (band)|Raw Power]],<ref>{{cite AV media notes | title=[[Past Life Trauma (1985–1992)]] | year=2000 | type=CD booklet | publisher=[[Noise Records]]}}</ref> and 1970s and 1980s [[hard rock]] and [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] bands, including [[Accept (band)|Accept]], [[Bathory (band)|Bathory]], Black Sabbath, [[Iron Maiden]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Mercyful Fate]], [[Metallica]], Motörhead, [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]], [[Raven (British band)|Raven]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Slayer]] and Venom.<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>{{cite web|title=KREATOR Frontman: 'I Try Not To Sound Like Anyone Else'|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-frontman-i-try-not-to-sound-like-anyone-else/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=15 April 2017 |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="Das war gewollt und nicht gekonnt" – Kreator bewerten ihre eigenen Alben|url=https://www.vice.com/de/article/das-war-gewollt-und-nicht-gekonntkreator-bewerten-ihre-eigenen-alben/|website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=26 January 2017 |access-date=31 May 2021|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kreator's Mille Petrozza: "Metal was always about human rights, and the common sense of not tolerating stupidity and government bullsh*t"|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/kreators-mille-petrozza-metal-was-always-about-human-rights-and-common-sense-of-not-tolerating-stupidity-and-government-bullsht/|website=[[Kerrang!]]|date=25 February 2021 |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>

==Band members==
'''Current members'''
* [[Mille Petrozza|Miland "Mille" Petrozza]] – [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/mille-petrozza-on-35-years-of-kreator-essential-gear-and-advice-for-guitarists-647705|title=Mille Petrozza on 35 years of Kreator, essential gear and advice for guitarists|author=Amit Sharma|website=MusicRadar|date=26 January 2017 |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref> (1982–present), [[lead guitar]] (1982–1986)
* [[Jürgen Reil|Jürgen "Ventor" Reil]] – [[Drum kit|drums]] (1982–1994, 1996–present), co-lead vocals (1982–1989)
* [[Sami Yli-Sirniö]] – lead guitar, [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]] (2001–present)
* [[Frédéric Leclercq]] – [[Bass guitar|bass]], backing vocals (2019–present)

'''Former members'''
* Roberto "Rob" Fioretti – bass (1982–1992)
* Jörg "Tritze" Trzebiatowski – lead guitar (1986–1989)
* [[Frank Blackfire|Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik]] – lead guitar (1989–1996)
* Andreas Herz – bass (1992–1994, died 2023)
* Christian "Speesy" Giesler – bass, backing vocals (1994–2019)
* Joe Cangelosi – drums (1994–1996)
* Tommy Vetterli – lead guitar (1996–2001)

'''Former touring musicians'''
* [[Michael Wulf]] – lead guitar (1986; died 1993)
* Bogusz Rutkiewicz – bass (1988)
* Markus "Makka" Freiwald – drums (2000)
* [[Marco Minnemann]] – drums (2009)

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
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 id:bvocals value:pink        legend:Backing_vocals
 id:lguitar value:teal        legend:Lead_guitar
 id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_and_lead_guitar
 id:bass    value:blue        legend:Bass
 id:drums   value:orange      legend:Drums
 id:album   value:black       legend:Studio_album
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 bar:Rob      text:"Roberto Fioretti"
 bar:Andre    text:"Andreas Herz"
 bar:Chris    text:"Christian Giesler"
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 bar:Mille  from:01/01/1982 till:12/01/1986   color:lguitar width:7
 bar:Rob    from:01/01/1982 till:01/01/1993   color:bass
 bar:Andre  from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/1994   color:bass
 bar:Chris  from:01/01/1994 till:09/16/2019   color:bass
 bar:Chris  from:01/01/2001 till:09/16/2019   color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Fred   from:09/16/2019 till:end          color:bass
 bar:Fred   from:09/16/2019 till:end          color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Jorg   from:12/01/1986 till:12/01/1989   color:lguitar
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 bar:Sami   from:01/01/2001 till:end          color:lguitar
 bar:Sami   from:01/01/2001 till:end          color:bvocals width:3
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 bar:Joe    from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1996   color:drums
 bar:Vent   from:01/01/1996 till:end          color:drums
}}

==Discography==
{{mainlist|Kreator discography}}

*''[[Endless Pain]]'' (1985)
*''[[Pleasure to Kill]]'' (1986)
*''[[Terrible Certainty]]'' (1987)
*''[[Extreme Aggression]]'' (1989)
*''[[Coma of Souls]]'' (1990)
*''[[Renewal (Kreator album)|Renewal]]'' (1992)
*''[[Cause for Conflict]]'' (1995)
*''[[Outcast (Kreator album)|Outcast]]'' (1997)
*''[[Endorama]]'' (1999)
*''[[Violent Revolution]]'' (2001)
*''[[Enemy of God (album)|Enemy of God]]'' (2005)
*''[[Hordes of Chaos (album)|Hordes of Chaos]]'' (2009)
*''[[Phantom Antichrist]]'' (2012)
*''[[Gods of Violence]]'' (2017)
*''[[Hate Über Alles]]'' (2022)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* {{allmusic}}
* {{Discogs artist}}

{{Kreator|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kreator| ]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in West Germany]]
[[Category:Epic Records artists]]
[[Category:Essen]]
[[Category:German thrash metal musical groups]]
[[Category:GUN Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1982]]
[[Category:German musical quartets]]
[[Category:Noise Records artists]]
[[Category:Nuclear Blast artists]]
[[Category:German political music groups]]
[[Category:Steamhammer Records artists]]