If some rockers claim that rock is dead, metal has lost its edge and everything in between is on its last legs, then the guys in Kreator aren’t willing to take that statement lying down. The legendary trashers took their four band bill of Aborted, Soilwork and fellow legends Sepultura on the road and have been hitting venues all across the U.K and Europe with a stop off in none other than Dublin, Ireland’s own Vicar Street.
Since their last visit, with Arch Enemy owning the support slot, Kreator have released a new record entitled ‘Gods of Violence’, an effort that has been well recieved by both fans and critics alike. This time around they not only come baring new material, they return with a fierce showcase picked from some of metals’ finest and presented on a much bigger platform.
The excitement on the night is all too evident as fans que early, storm the box office for the few remaining tickets and colourful accents imply that folks have travelled from every edge of this little rock to be here.Soon after doors open, Aborted kick off the festivites to a handful of die hards who show the band some well earned hospitality as they gave the few in the room a fine show. The more seasoned pros, Soilwork hit the stage and quickly picked up on the fact that they had been met with an audience not simply satisfied with the bands mere presence alone. What appeared to be an uphill battle, Soilwork won the tough Irish crowd over by the final notes of their set and expressed their excitement to return in the near future. An excitment shared with many in attendance.
A polar opposite reception followed as fans filled the venue, rafters and all, and erupted as soon as Sepultura emerged from the shadows. With their latest album, ‘Machine Messiah’, still popularly circuling, the band compiled a set of old and new favourites, including the standout “Resistant Parasites”, that saw an increasingly powerful set climax with a back to back performance of “Ratamahatta” and the classic “Roots Bloody Roots”. Although bias runs deep for some, there is no denying the quality of this bands shows.
Short of a quick but essential beer run for a select few, fans held their place in the room and eagerly awaited the arrival of their headliners. When Kreator finally hit, so did confetti canons, smoke machines that propelled and reached ceiling height, A.C fans were draped with flag like white strings while a series of screens and a goat skull backdrop decorated the stage.
The bands set list was graced with titles such as “Hordes of Chaos”, “Satan Is Real”, Gods of Violence”, “Phantom Antichrist” and the moving performance of “Fallen Brother” that saw the image of many late artists (or fallen brothers) portrayed on the stage screens through the song. The patriotic “Flag Of hate” saw the well oiled crowd give their best to the band. As the night came to a close with “Pleasure To Kill” and “Death Becomes My Light”, all who wondered why Kreator made a special effort to take this package to Dublin between shows in Manchester and London no longer did. Kreator have a special relationship with their fans and forget none of them, a sentiment deeply appreciated and reciprocated by the Irish in the form of a sold out show, ear smashing chants and an energy from start to finish many argue is unrivalled when it comes to audiences in different cultures. On this night, Kreator once again prove why they have stood the test of time with their fans respect and loyalty by their side.
Also check out our Photo Gallery of the gig here.