Kreator and Overkill

Inspired by the likes of Black Sabbath, Metallica and Motorhead, the band took shape in 1982, with the original line up consisting of: Mille Petrozza (vocals, guitar), Jurgen “Ventor” Reil (drums) and Rob Fioretti (bass) firstly known as Tyrant and then Tormentor. The newly formed band released two demos “Blitzkrieg” in 1983 and “End of the World” in 1984.

In 1985, the band signed with the new German metal label Noise Records who encouraged the final name change and they settled on Kreator. It took them only ten days to record their debut album “Endless Pain” released later that year and created a huge buzz in the prominent underground metal scene emergent in Germany. With blistering and brutal thrash chords reverberating throughout the album, Kreator won an allegiance of fans. Promoting the album, the band added late Sodom guitarist Michael Wulf to play on the release tour.

In 1986 Kreator released their follow up album “Pleasure to Kill” which introduced the addition of guitarist Jorg ‘Tritze’ Trzebiatowski. The album considered a thrash classic demonstrated the band’s rapid progression of talent and technical ability, featuring the popular track “Flag of Hate” which made regular appearances on their live set lists. At the end of the year, the band released the three track EP “Flag of Hate”.

Releasing two albums and an EP between 1987-9, Kreator were given the opportunity to hop on tour with American thrash heavyweights Suicidal Tendencies on their North American tour which helped broaden the band’s appeal outside of Europe.

In 1989 the band featured in Thomas Schadt’s documentary “Thrash Altenessen” exploring the social effects of heavy metal in their local area. Following the release of their fourth album “Extreme Aggression”, Tritze departed in 2000 and was replaced by former Sodom guitarist Frank ‘Blackfire’ Gosdzik.

Whilst the 90’s became a pivotal point of genre experimentation for forerunners like Metallica and Anthrax in an attempt for commercial appeal, Kreator went against the grain delving deeper into death and industrial metal prominent in the 1992 album “Renewal”.

With a relentless touring schedule, it began to take a toll on the band as one by one they dropped out leaving Petrozza as the only original member. Fleeting member came and went and by the new millennia the line-up included: Christian ‘Speesy’ Giesler, Sami Yli-Sirnio and the return of Reil.

Over their extensive band history spanning decades, Kreator have become a beacon to many bands within the trash genre playing numerous festivals and sharing the stage with bands like: Napalm Death, Warbringer, King Diamond and Exodus. Kreator continue to provide electrifying, show-stopping performances ever enthused with an abundance of passion.

The original lineup of the band consisted of Rat Skates, D.D. Verni, Bobby Gustafson, and Bobby Blitz. Their demo called “Power in Black” which was released in 1983 caught the attention of the heavy metal label Megaforce Records. Owner Jon Zazula signed them to the label and their debut album “Feel the Fire” was released in 1985.

After touring for a few years with bands like Anthrax and Slayer to audiences of raving fans, Overkill recorded a second album. In 1987 Megaforce Records became associated with Atlantic Records and Overkill’s sophomore album “Taking Over” came out, with a more organized structure and lengthier songs. The single “In Union We Stand” became the first song to have a video and helped to promote the band via television.

As Overkill developed over the years, they became popular on the charts and MTV. Their album “Under the Influence” came out in 1988 and charted at No. 147 on the Billboard Top 200. The single “Hello From the Gutter” was frequently played on MTV’s television show “Headbangers Ball.” The hit “Elimination” on the 1989 album “The Years of Decay” became well-loved on “Headbangers Ball” and propelled Overkill to commercial success.

The main songwriter Bobby Gustafson left before the fifth album “Horrorscope” was released in 1991. The mood of the album was darker and less upbeat than earlier work, but Overkill proved they were still a relevant heavy metal band in the 1990’s. To date, Overkill has recorded over 17 studio and live-recorded albums. The band cites Black Sabbath, Kiss, The Ramones, Motorhead, and Manowar as significant musical influences.