Disco de Kreator: “Enemy Of God (Special Edition)”

When it comes to the Thrash Metal genre there are few bands that can stand up to the titan that is Germany's Kreator. In 2005, the group released "Enemy Of God", a powerful and intense recording that showed the Metal world that Kreator had not gone away and was still capable of delivering the goods. It was also an album that showcased that the band could, and would be able to grow and mature in a world of ever-changing musical tides and as a result be influenced by some of the climate that was happening around them. The influences would not deter them from their course of Metal destruction, but in turn would blend fluidly and give the listener a new way to appreciate their favorite band. The elements that one can hear are traces of Arch Enemy but don't worry, you will not find any rapping over the riffs here like so many bands who changed their sound ended up doing. The Masters of the Thrash aspect with limited peer proved that "Enemy Of God" would please the listener by using the tried and true formula and also elements of the Melodic Death being showcased in so many of today's powerful bands.

SPV Records has re-visited this monster recording with "Enemy Of god - Revisited", and not only do you get the original recording but you get bonus tracks and a DVD that is loaded with music and video to enjoy. If there is any reason that you missed buying this album the first time around, well your chance and reason to fix this have increased. A full concert film alone makes it worth the price tag. If you Thrash until you bleed, then you need this release in your collection.

DVD Features: Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany (2005): Intro, Enemy Of God, Impossible Brutality, Pleasure To Kill, Phobia, Violent Revolution, Suicide Terrorist, Extreme Aggression, People Of The Lie, Voice Of The Dead, Terrible Certainty, Betrayer, Flag Of Hate, Tormenter. More live tracks recorded at Rockpalast Bootleg 2006 German TV Show (Renewal, Reconquering The Throne, Servant In Heaven - King In Hell). Videos: Enemy Of God, Making Of Enemy Of God, Dystopia, Impossible Brutality, Dying Race Apocalypse. Propaganda for Enemy Of God.

*** Those who have seen Kreator in concert over the years know full-well that this is one of the best ways to enjoy this band. Seeing them perform in front of the Wacken crowd is amazing, for they truly control the audience in this one - the bodies are flying everywhere.

Enemy of God was originally released in 2005; a full four years into Kreator's "return to form" after being lost in 'avant-garde' and industrial for the last four releases. So what Violent Revolution revived, Enemy of God gave a swift kick in the thrash testicles (in a good way).

The album itself is possibly one of, if not the, best metal releases of this decade. In a time where Metal is considered to be the latest Metalcore and Deathcore trend-following band of losers, Kreator is fully able to remind everyone what real metal is supposed to sound like.

It begins with Enemy of God, with a main riff so reminiscient of their original thrash-death style you might think this is something off of Extreme Aggression or Coma of Souls. It is pure aggression and hate, just like they were 20 years ago. The album continues with twelve songs that are filled with riffs heavy enough and thrashy enough to make you headbang to the point of vomiting from disorientation. So the album mostly stays on it's path, MOSTLY.

You see, Kreator did still retain a little of that "Gothenburg" sound for their newer releases, and sometimes it is a little unnecessary. Thankfully, it's not overpowering and, for the most part, does a decent job of accentuating the rest of their musical themes.

Now, for the extra material, which is why you are thinking of buying this over the album alone. What you get is essentially this:

Two extra tracks, both live (Coma of Souls and Toxic Trace)

A full concert of Kreator at Wacken Open Air in 2005 (awesome setlist)

A bootleg of Kreator playing at the Rockpalast (three songs, contains their gothenburg material)

Four music videos from Enemy of God (title track, Impossible Brutality, Dystopia, and Dying Race Apocalypse)

And a documentary showing the making of the Enemy of God video.

Now, ahem, the extra material is actually quite interesting, and I did spend a couple hours watching it all solely due to my high fanmanship of this band. It's also cool to watch with any friends you may have who also like Kreator. You get to see Mille and his chums on stage in front of an ocean of fans ready to sacrifice their bodies like their Dethklok -- only real, ...and good.

So, basically it comes down to this: Do you want the car, or do you want the car with leather interior and all the bells and whistles for a few dollars more? Either way, you're getting one hell of an album.

Even if you already own the regular version of Enemy Of God, like I did (because I got it as soon as it was unleashed on the world), the revisited cd/dvd is a must have. The 5.1 surround mix of the album is brilliant, the 2005 Wacken live concert is worth the price alone showing the German Thrash Gods at their best performing to an excited crowd, a Rockpalast performance, bonus video clips, 'the making of EoG' documentary, and extra live tracks on the cd makes this a priceless package. Besides, it's KREATOR... 'nuff said.

stop reading this and order it

Enenmy Of God is Kreator finest moment in their 20 year career. The best lyrics and songwrinting in metal. New killer art and expanded booklet, the original album and two live bonus tracks. The 5.1 DTS 96/24 mix is excellent, and the live video on Wacken Open Air Festival is phenomenal.

One of the best metal albums of 2005 and a most have.

This is my first thrash metal purchase I had the album downloaded and wanted to see them perform so i got this package! Worth every cent! THey give the audience 110% and all the extra features like - 5.1 remastering with pop up kareoke style lyrics, making of enemy of god video w/the video, animated music videos and more ! As it says in the credits "Made for the fans" and that is true. Lots of color photos, performances and more! Highly recommended