by Vincent Jeffries
On Extreme Aggression, a successful Kreator closes the '80s by delivering their final thrash triumph. With the most hallowed Kreator lineup ( Mille Petrozza on vocals and guitar, Jorg Tritze on guitar, Mille Petrozza on drums, and bassist Rob Fioretti) joining forces once again to follow up the spectacular Terrible Certainty, Kreator sounds determined to continue their thrash mastery on Extreme Aggression. The results are fierce and noisy on this 1989 Epic release -- the first major-label effort for the band. Petrozza and Fioretti's guitar work is as punchy as ever, and Reil's massive drums are unrelenting and continually improving. While the anonymous production has a slightly negative effect on Extreme Aggression, when compared to more commercially successful major label thrash artists like Metallica, Kreator uses their underground experience to fight through and present a unique package stuffed with hearty riffs and performances.