Kreator
Pleasure to Kill

August 2003
Released: 1986, Noise Records
Rating: 5.0/5
Reviewer: Night of the Realm

See that little line between the header and this line you are reading now? It says something like “Classic Pick,” doesn’t it? That’s a typo...it should read: “TOTAL FUCKING THRASH ESSENTIAL – IF YOU DON’T OWN THIS, DIE!”



Yup, this is 56 minutes of some of the best thrash out there. “Ripping Corpse” starts the chaotic flurry of riffs that is to come throughout the album. “Await the death by the blade/Run before it’s too late!” The last 20 seconds or so of the track are inhumanly awesome. “Death of Your Saviour” and “Pleasure to Kill” both rip past before you know what hits you. The drum sound on the title track is exceptional, and the main riff just rips. “Riot of Violence,” now we’re talking! Awesome tune. Here’s where the album starts to get really good. The riff here reminds me quite a bit of something Exodus would throw out. Less chaotic than the last three tracks, this one has lots of chugging riffs here, and slower breakdowns. “The Pestilence” is probably my favourite track on the album. The intro riff and solo draw the listener into the best seven minutes of thrash on the disc. I like when thrash bands make things easy with a chorus that consists of the title repeated several times. Around the three-minute mark, we get a nice headbanging riff and bass line after a slower transition period, then back to hyperspeed Kreator thrash. The lead/bass combination around the 5 minute mark for the last verse is certain to destroy something. Has your neck had enough yet? Good, ‘cause we’re closing in on two of my other favourite tracks on the album: “Command of the Blade,” and “Under the Guillotine.” I’m not even going to bother to break those two down; just thrash along, ok?



Now we’re getting into the bonus tracks, taken from the FLAG OF HATE EP. First up is “Flag of Hate,” a typical thrasher, followed by “Take Their Lives,” a rawer, and slower tune. When “Awakening of the Gods” hits, I’m just like, “Ho-ly fuck!” This song absolutely destroys. The opening minute is some of the most catchy thrash buildup that I have heard. The chorus is certain to whip you into a frenzy, if, for some strange reason, you’re not thrashing about already. What a brilliant and appropriate closer to the album!



From the opener, “Ripping Corpse” (Following the intro, “Choir of the Damned” – even that rules) to the incredible epic “Awakening of the Gods,” PLEASURE TO KILL delivers more than the recommended daily allowance of thrash.