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Man, I haven't bought a Kreator album since I got "Extreme Aggression" waaaaay back in '89. I guess that means I'm not a Kreator fan, as I thought both that one, and the other one I own "Endless Pain", were pretty darned mediocre. I was always of the opinion that Mille and Co. only had a following because they came out in the early 80's and got there ahead of better bands that came later. Which is why I am so utterly surprised and stoked by this release. "Enemy Of God" is their eleventh frigging release, and by the Gods they have finally kicked my ass.

I read a review once years ago that essentially said that Kreator had spent their career 'chasing Slayer'. Well they have not only caught Slayer, but skinned and gutted them. "Enemy Of God" is the best fucking Thrash album since "Reign In Blood". Okay, the album opener sounds a little too much like "Angel Of Death", but with the cool guitar tone, and the endless cool riffs on this album, comparisons to the Slayer of old are almost inevitable. Andy Sneap has finally produced a record that doesn't sound dessicated, and as a result this album kicks you repeatedly in the nuts with how freaking heavy it is. I love it. Mille just opens the canful of riffs and lets 'em all out. There are 12 tracks on this album and that's too darned few. No skippers, no filler, just killer song after song. Even Mille's vocals sound good, as he puts a lot more dynamic into his voice than is usual with screamers. He alternates between screams, shouts, and an almost tuneful, urgent sound that I can call nothing but 'Thrash'. Memorable choruses you can shout along too don't hurt either. There is some startling musicianship on display here, and that is what really pushes this up to a perfect score. The leadwork is blazing and sharp, but also in places genuinely beautiful, and some of the riffs are haunting as well as barbaric.

Am I really giving Kreator a 5/5? Holy Shit I think I am. If Thrash is dead, then these guys just ran about a million volts through its moldering corpse. Dead my ass. One of the oldest veteran Thrash bands has finally produced a genre-defining masterwork, and I won't deny it just because I used to think they were boring. I can't pick faves on this one, it all rules. "Enemy Of God" is going to end up on my list of the best for 2005, you watch. And this is going to be a tough year. Kreator takes the crown, I didn't see that coming.