Look, we already know that 2026 is bringing the final Megadeth record before they hang it up for good and that Anthrax is finally ready to release their follow-up to 2016’s For All Kings… but we think your favorite Thrash record of the year is already here. Because in just 10 tracks accounting for 45 minutes of your time, the legendary Kreator bring you a brand new album of pure, unrelenting Thrash Metal in a way that only they could. If you thought that 2022’s Hate Über Alles was peak 21st Century Kreator then you ain’t heard nothing yet!
The singles released so far, while epic, don’t do the album justice as parts of the whole are good and all that but Krushers Of The World, the band’s 16th overall, REALLY works when listened to as a complete body of work. From the moment lead single “Seven Serpents” begins through to the closing moments of “Loyal To The Grave”, Kreator deliver a definitive collection of instant classic Metal anthems that’s not only one of the best Thrash records of the 2020’sbut might just be their best yet as well!
But back to the beginning!
“Seven Serpents” is like if you took the instrumental build up of “Sergio Corbucci Is Dead” and the title track which opened Kreator’s last opus, smooshed it together, then set it free upon the world. It’s heavy but no shredder yet still packs a solid punch exploding in a hail of riffs and drumming from Mille Petrozza (Vocals, Guitar), Sami Yli-Sirniö (Lead Guitar), Frédéric Leclercq (Bass) and Ventor (Drums). “Satanic Army” is Masterclass Thrash with non-stop riffage and a killer chorus while the title track is a new Metal anthem featuring some some gnarly, snarling guitar work that’d make In Flames weak in the knees.
Latest single “Tränenpalast” sounds simply devilish with Petrozza’s vocal spar with guest Britta Görtz of Hiraes at its’ gooey center then “Barbarian” goes off the rails again with a furious flurry of Ventor and Leclercq’s rhythmic rumble serving as the song’s backbone. “Blood Of Our Blood” is similarly vicious and very much planted in Old School Thrash territory, “Combatants” starts eerie then hits its’ stride immediately and goes for the jugular and “Deathscream” sounds exactly like you’d think it would with a name like that as Petrozza does the titular action justice and then some.
“Psychotic Imperator” is the penultimate number here, but in a long line of shrtedders throughout Krushers…, is unrelenting even this deep into the record with “Loyal To The Grave” bringing up the rear on this fittingly epic closing track that starts with one big ass chorus front and center before veering off into a steady stomp accented by majestic riffs.
Krushers Of The World arrives on January 16th through Nuclear Blast. Pre-orders are up now and can be saved, purchased and all of those things by heading here. For more from Kreator, including where to catch them live on their upcoming 2026 North American tour featuring support from Carcass and Cold Steel which hits the Worcester Palladium on May 14th (Direct link for that show here), head to the socials by clicking here, here or here.