KREATOR's "Krushers of the World" Is Proof Thrash Still Hits Hard in 2026

“…it’s got the intensity and the speed while also keeping their sound well balanced…”

Anybody who knows me and my musical tastes, knows that thrash is NOT one of the genres I go to. Not sure exactly what it is, but I just have a hard time getting into that style compared to others. And the thousands of cargo-jumper-wearing copycat thrash bands releasing bootleg ripoff 1987 riffs in the 2020s.

But every so often, there’s a band that does peak my interest in the genre. And hilariously enough, it’s rarely an American band (sorry, not sorry). Even MORE hilarious, they’re not even Canadian either (come on Raider, drop something this year?! I gotta keep my Canadian metal cred).

The thrash that impresses me the most actually comes from Germany. Last year, Warbringer was able to crack the Top 10 BEST METAL of 2025, with me having only been exposed to them through their Wrath and Ruin album. And now with Megadeth dropping their swan-song album next weekend, it was only fitting that Kreator bust the doors wide open with fire and fury a week in advance.

GOD DAYUMN! My chest hair grew 20 years in one 44 minute sitting! I’ve kept my ear on Kreator since hearing Hate Über Alles back in 2022. That LP impressed the hell out of me for being one of the few thrash stable bands to get my ass out of my seat and kick it into the stratosphere. It seems they’re keeping that going on Krushers of the World, opening with “Seven Serpents” and proving that they still have a lot to say (and say it loud).

As the album plows its way into “Satanic Anarchy” and the title track, the ferocity is on full display, and it’s unrelenting. It’s also kinda catchy, something I’ve come to like about Kreator’s style of thrash metal. Yeah, it’s intense and in your face, but it’s not pure noise and speed.

The guitar work from Mille Petrozza and Sami Yli-Sirniö are crushing and melodic, inducing bodily harm with sweet tunes. Sami’s licks especially catch my ears whenever they appear. And Mille’s vocal cadence emphasizes the grooves while cutting teeth at the same time. While we’re talking vocals, bringing on Britta Görtz of Hiraes to feature on “Tränenpalast” was such a genius addition to the song’s ferocity.

As “Barbarian” closes out the first half of the album, the speed picks back up with kill-ready precision and forces you to start moshing. The melodic chorus’ and post-solo instrumental section help sweeten the pot, while the solo rips your ears off and tapes them right onto the speaker set. By the time I got mine back, the flesh had already been flayed off, and now my doctor’s telling me to lay off the thrash for a while in order to recover (pussy)

Of course, the B-side of the album tears through flesh and bone with “Blood Of Our Blood” and gets in your face with it. Ripping guitar riffing grabbing you by the neck, dragging your face across the fretboard at Mach 10, all held together with Ventor’s fluid drumming and locked in with Frédéric Leclercq’s bass. The rhythm section is strong with Kreator, a band who likes to infuse their thrash metal with lots of grooves, which is shown on songs like “Satanic Anarchy” and “Combatants”. “Combatants” especially thundering through with a ferocious stomp as the chorus chants “Fight for your life! Combatants of the gods!”

The music keeps you interested throughout, not just giving you straight to the point thrash metal that was pulled out of a “do it like Slayer starter pack”. The opening to “Psychotic Imperator” is a prime example. It starts the song off slow and menacing with a synthetic choir backing straight out of hell, setting an evil tone for the song before it kicked me in the stomach at rapid fire speed until I started coughing up blood. How is it possible the blood spatter reads like the Kreator logo? And should I see the doctor one more time about that?

This song actually showcases what I like about Kreator and why I keep coming back to them as a non-thrasher… the ability to keep you engaged throughout the album. Even bringing in a proper latin choir for the breakdown, giving us something different to hear as the album progresses towards the end.

Even as it gets into a more straight forward thrash sound with “Deathscream” (a good song, but could’ve dropped in the shredder without anyone noticing), I’m still very happy with what I was given up to this point.

But thankfully, I don’t need to worry as “Loyal To The Grave” comes in to close the album and brings things back to awesome! Great grooving stomp, with stellar melodic riffage, throat ripping vocals, and a sense of finality that most modern thrash metal lacks. And capping off the album at only 44 minutes, Krushers of the World winds up feeling just right and a satisfying listen.

Overall, I was once again reminded of why thrash metal is strong, and given a glimpse at what the new year will bring for Thrash Metal. On one of our podcast episodes for Influencers of Metal, Collin predicted that the year 2026 would be the year of thrash. With Megadeth saying farewell next week before kicking off their tour, and now Kreator reminding everyone that thrash could never die, I’m inclined to agree with him.

If thrash isn’t dead yet, Kreator’s Krushers of the World is proof. It’s got thrash, it’s got groove, it’s got the intensity and the speed while also keeping their sound well balanced for a kickass addition to the German Thrashers discography playbook. If you’re looking for an album to wreck your shit while kicking off 2026 with a clear thrash takeover, then here’s a place to get going on the thrashing journey.

14/15

… because I can tell there are fans who are wanting a 14 track version of this album, and I don’t think they’ll take no for an answer (please say no, don’t fuck with perfection :P)