The newest album by Kreator, Phantom Antichrist is an example of how this classic German thrash band can take their music to levels of breakneck speed and extreme volume and then cool it down with just enough added melody. It’s a great gift, like being able to give an athlete a bit of hydration at the right moment.

The title track exemplifies the above. “Phantom Antichrist,” the song, is a crushing bruiser with just enough melody to its chorus. It’s a song that should become as classic as this band. A thrash phenom. And Kreator’s perfect mix of melody with the classic thrash sound continues with “Victory Will Come,” “Death to the World” and “Civilization Collapse” and in each song the guitar solos really add a fantastic accent. These solos swirl and sing with their own voice— amidst the thrill-ride chaos some will take your breath away.

The album does come with some interesting phases, as in “From Flood Into Fire”; it has what you might call a “real metal” groove to it, and a distinct chorus chant ala Manowa. But Kreator puts a more provocative, modern spin to it. Vocalist Mille Petrozza emphatically shouts “let us be part of the cure” and even those small parts are worth a lot more than most of Manowar’s barbaric bombast.

Vocalist/guitarist Mille Petrozza gets a bit cocky in Kreator’s press release by stating that Phantom Antichrist “will blow everything away the ‘Big Four’ have released in the past few years.” But Kreator does match the Big Four’s talents. Petrozza has a lot to be proud of here. After nearly 30 years, Kreator is still a force to be reckoned with.

Label: Nuclear Blast Records. The audio CD can be purchased here.