KREATOR - PLEASURE TO KILL - incl POSTCARD 12" Vinyl LP Album

Kreator's "Pleasure to Kill," a thrash metal masterpiece, encapsulates aggression through intense vocals, relentless riffs, and controversial themes. This 12" Vinyl LP Album, the original first edition, delivers an auditory onslaught. Released with a postcard, it stands as a relic of thrash history, showcasing the band's uncompromising musical prowess and their impact on the metal scene.

 

large album front cover photo of: KREATOR PLEASURE TO KILL

Album Description:

In the world of thrash metal, Kreator's album "Pleasure to Kill" stands as a seminal work that showcases the band's relentless aggression and unrelenting pursuit of sonic brutality. Released in 1986, this album was produced by Harris Johns and published by Maldoror Musik Verlag. The album cover design, created by Phil Lawyere, features a striking image of a devil standing atop a mountain of skulls, fiercely combating attacking skeletons. Despite its undeniable musical excellence, "Pleasure to Kill" stirred controversy due to its lyrical content and graphic album artwork.

The Band:
Kreator is a German thrash metal band that emerged during the 1980s. The band members on "Pleasure to Kill" were Roberto "Rob" Fioretti on bass, Miland "Mille" Petrozza on vocals and guitar, and Jürgen 'Ventor' Reil on drums. These talented musicians brought together their combined musical prowess to create an album that pushed the boundaries of aggression and intensity within the thrash metal genre.

Musical Brilliance:
"Pleasure to Kill" is often regarded as one of Kreator's finest albums, showcasing their mastery of intense riffing, rapid-fire drumming, and Petrozza's signature growls. The album delivers a relentless assault on the senses, combining blistering guitar solos, thunderous drum beats, and aggressive vocals that epitomize the fury and darkness of thrash metal. Tracks like "Ripping Corpse", "Death Is Your Saviour", and the title track "Pleasure to Kill" exemplify the band's ability to create a sonic landscape that is both savage and technically impressive.

Controversies:
Despite its musical brilliance, "Pleasure to Kill" garnered controversy for its lyrical content and graphic album artwork. The album explores themes of death, violence, and the dark side of human nature, which some critics argued glorified and celebrated these themes rather than simply addressing them. The lyrics are unabashedly macabre and paint a bleak picture of a world consumed by destruction and despair. Kreator's intent was to provoke and challenge societal norms, but this provocative approach drew both admiration and criticism from fans and critics alike.

The album cover design, featuring a devil atop a mountain of skulls, engaging in a battle with attacking skeletons, further added to the controversy surrounding "Pleasure to Kill". The imagery was seen as disturbing and offensive by some, while others perceived it as a visual representation of the album's dark and aggressive themes. Nonetheless, the album cover stood as a testament to Kreator's unapologetic embrace of extreme imagery and their determination to push the boundaries of acceptable artistic expression.

Legacy and Influence:
"Pleasure to Kill" solidified Kreator's position as one of the pioneering forces in the thrash metal genre. The album's intense and uncompromising sound set a benchmark for future thrash metal bands, influencing countless musicians in the years that followed. Kreator's commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring dark themes has made "Pleasure to Kill" an enduring and influential piece of heavy metal history.

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Music Genre:

  Thrash Metal  / DBeckereath Metal

Album Production Information:

 The album: "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill " was produced by: Harris Johns , Published by Maldoror Musik Verlag


Harris Johns is a prominent European music producer renowned for his contributions to the heavy metal and punk genres. With a career spanning several decades, he has worked with numerous iconic bands, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. Born in the late 1950s, Harris Johns developed a passion for music at an early age and pursued his dreams with unwavering determination.

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In the late 1970s, Harris Johns emerged as a key figure in the burgeoning heavy metal and punk scene. His unique talent and distinctive approach to music production quickly caught the attention of many prominent bands. With a desire to create powerful and impactful soundscapes, he became known for his ability to capture the raw energy and intensity of these genres.

Throughout his career, Harris Johns has collaborated with a plethora of big-name bands, solidifying his reputation as a go-to producer. His notable works include projects with Helloween, Coroner, Tankard, Sodom, Voivod, Kreator, Exumer, Ratos de Porão, Slime, Daily Terror, and many others. Each album he worked on showcased his exceptional skill in sculpting the sonic landscapes that defined the heavy metal and punk movements.

For over a decade, Harris Johns operated his studio, Music Lab Berlin Studio, which served as the creative hub for many of his productions. In an effort to further his artistic vision, he established Spiderhouse, a recording facility situated in a former guest house in the countryside near Berlin. For ten years, Spiderhouse became a sanctuary where he could channel his creativity and bring forth groundbreaking music.

In 2007, Harris Johns made the decision to reopen the Music Lab Berlin, reestablishing it as a prime destination for bands seeking his expertise in music production. The studio became a hub of creativity and collaboration, attracting both established acts and up-and-coming artists. However, in 2016, Harris Johns decided to step away from the studio, concluding a significant chapter in his illustrious career.

Despite stepping back from the day-to-day operations of Music Lab Berlin, Harris Johns continues to contribute to the music industry. He remains active as a producer and dedicates his time to teaching music production skills. His wealth of knowledge and experience has made him an invaluable resource for aspiring producers and musicians, as he imparts his expertise and nurtures the next generation of talent.

As we reflect upon the 1980s, it becomes evident that Harris Johns' discography during this era stands as a testament to his immense talent. Some of the notable albums he worked on include groundbreaking releases such as:

These albums showcase Harris Johns' ability to capture the essence and intensity of the heavy metal and punk genres, earning him a place in music history.

Harris Johns' impact on the heavy metal and punk scenes cannot be understated. His talent, dedication, and distinctive approach to music production have left an indelible mark on the industry. As he continues to produce and educate, Harris Johns remains a respected and influential figure, shaping the future of music for generations to come.

Album cover design: Phil Lawyere, which shows a devil, who stands on a skull mountain and destroys some attacking skeletons

Phil Lawvere is an acclaimed artist and illustrator known for his iconic contributions to the world of metal album art. Through his distinct visual style, Lawvere has created some of the most recognizable and influential album covers in the history of heavy metal music. His dark, intricate, and often controversial artworks have left an indelible mark on the genre, solidifying his status as a legendary figure within the metal community.

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Phil Lawvere was born on 28 February 1960, in Stuttgart, Germany. From a young age, he demonstrated a keen interest in art, fueled by his passion for music and the burgeoning rock and metal scene. Lawvere drew inspiration from the works of artists like H.R. Giger and Salvador Dalí, as well as from the intense and raw energy of metal music itself. These influences would later become instrumental in shaping his unique artistic vision.

Lawvere's breakthrough in metal album art came in the late 1980s when he was commissioned to create the cover artwork for German thrash metal band Kreator's sophomore album, "Pleasure to Kill" (1986) . This gritty and macabre artwork, depicting a tortured corpse, perfectly captured the aggressive and visceral nature of the band's music. The cover quickly became iconic and set the stage for Lawvere's future contributions to the genre.

Lawvere's artistic contributions extend beyond album covers. He has also created logos and additional artwork for bands such as Helloween, Tankard, and Whiplash, further cementing his influence on the metal aesthetic. Additionally, Lawvere has worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer, showcasing his versatility and mastery of various artistic mediums.

Phil Lawvere's impact on metal album art cannot be overstated. His unique and evocative visual style has influenced subsequent generations of artists and has become synonymous with the genre itself. The dark and atmospheric worlds he creates through his artwork serve as a visual representation of the music's intensity and power. Lawvere's contributions have elevated album covers to the realm of art, making them an integral part of the metal experience. .

Record Label & Catalognr:

NOISE N 0037
Packaging: This album "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill " includes the original custom inner sleeve with artwork/photos

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year and Country:

  1986 Made in Germany
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Roberto "Rob" Fioretti - Bass
  • Miland "Mille" Petrozza - Vocals, Guitar
  • Jürgen 'Ventor' Reil - Drums
Complete Track-listing of the album "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill "

The detailed tracklist of this record "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill " is:

    Track-listing Side One:
  1. Choir of the Damned
  2. Ripping Corpse
  3. Death is Your Saviour
  4. Pleasure to Kill
  5. Riot of Violence
    Track-listing Side Two:
  1. The Pestilence
  2. Carrion
  3. Command of the Blade
  4. Under the Guillotine
High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover  "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill "
High Resolution Photo #10 kreator pleasure to kill

 Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).

Album Back Cover  Photo of "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill "
High Resolution Photo #11 kreator pleasure to kill  
Inner Sleeve   of "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill " Album
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Photo of "KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill " Album's Inner Sleeve  

High Resolution Photo #13 kreator pleasure to kill

Enlarged High Resolution Photo of the Record's Label  

High Resolution Photo #14 kreator pleasure to kill

Enlarged High Resolution Photo of the Record's Label  

High Resolution Photo #15 kreator pleasure to kill

Index of KREATOR Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

Kreator's Line-up

  Miland "Mille" Petrozza, Miland Petrozza, better known as Mille, is a German singer and guitarist. He is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the thrash metal band Kreator. Kreator has been active since 1982 and is considered one of the "big four" of the German thrash metal scene, along with Destruction , Kreator , Sodom , and Tankard .

 Mille Petrozza was born on December 4, 1965, in Essen, Germany. He founded Kreator in 1982 and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its career. Kreator's music has been described as a mix of thrash metal, death metal, and black metal, and they are known for their aggressive and intense live performances.

 Petrozza has been the primary songwriter for Kreator and is responsible for the lyrics to most of their songs, which often deal with political and social issues. Over the course of their career, Kreator has released 17 studio albums and has toured extensively, both as headliners and as support acts for other metal bands.

 In addition to his work with Kreator, Petrozza has been involved in several side projects and collaborations with other musicians. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the thrash metal genre and continues to tour and record with Kreator to this day.

  Jürgen "Ventor" Reil ia German drummer and songwriter. He is best known as the former drummer of the German thrash metal band Kreator. Reil was a member of Kreator from 1983 to 1991 and appeared on several of the band's early albums, including "Endless Pain" (1985), "Pleasure to Kill" (1986), and "Terrible Certainty" (1987).

 Reil is regarded as one of the most influential drummers in the thrash metal genre and is known for his fast and aggressive playing style. He left Kreator in 1991 to pursue other musical projects and has since played with several other metal bands. Despite his departure from Kreator, Reil's work with the band remains highly regarded by fans and continues to influence the genre.

KREATOR - Dying Alive ( Ltd Ed, Yellow Viny )
Thumbnail Of  KREATOR - Dying Alive ( Ltd Ed,  Yellow Viny ) album front cover

Nuclear Blast – NB 3155-1 , 2013 , Austria

Kreator's "Dying Alive" 2LP Yellow Vinyl, released in 2013, epitomizes the band's live intensity. The limited edition, pressed on striking yellow vinyl, caters to the vinyl resurgence, offering collectors an exclusive piece. Meticulous production, including audio mastering and unique packaging, ensures a high-quality, visually appealing product. The release aligns with the trend of artists embracing vinyl's tactile experience, providing fans with a coveted and immersive addition to Kreator's discography.

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KREATOR - Endless Pain ( Thrash Metal )
Picture Of  KREATOR - Endless Pain ( Thrash Metal ) album front cover

Noise N0025 , 1985 , Europe

"Endless Pain" is the debut (first) full-length album released by the Teutonic (German) Thrash Metal band "KREATOR". It was released in October 1985 under "Noise records N 0025".

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KREATOR - Extreme Aggression ( Thrash Metal )
Picture Of  KREATOR - Extreme Aggression ( Thrash Metal ) album front cover

Noise International – N 0129-1 , 1989 , Germany

"Extreme Aggression," the 1989 thrash metal masterpiece by Kreator, marked a pinnacle in the genre's history. Recorded in Los Angeles, the album's polished production accentuated the band's aggressive sound. The iconic cover art, designed by Malbuch, visually captured the album's intensity. With relentless thrash anthems and impactful lyrics, "Extreme Aggression" received critical acclaim, solidifying Kreator's status and influencing generations, ensuring its enduring legacy in the thrash metal pantheon.

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KREATOR - Flag of Hate ( Thrash Metal )
Picture Of KREATOR - Flag of Hate ( Thrash Metal ) album front cover

Noise N 0047 , 1986 , Germany

Kreator's 1986 "Flag of Hate" 12" vinyl LP, a pinnacle of German thrash metal, holds historical significance. The album, with its iconic cover, features three intense tracks, including the exclusive "Awakening of the Gods" on Side B. Recorded at Musiclab Studios in Berlin under the guidance of producer Harris Johns, the original issue captures the raw energy of the mid-'80s thrash scene, making it a prized gem for collectors and fans.

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KREATOR - Flag of Hate (USA)
Picture Of KREATOR - Flag of Hate (USA) album front cover

Combat Noise 88561-8125 , 1986 , USA

This is USA release of "Flag of Hate" and has 6 tracks, while other release have 3 tracks. Tjos album contains the track "Endless Pain" which was released in USA only.

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KREATOR - Out of the Dark ( Thrash Metal )
Picture Of KREATOR - Out of the Dark ( Thrash Metal ) album front cover

Noise International N 0118-4 , 1988 , Germany

Kreator's "Out of the Dark... Into the Light" 12" Vinyl LP, born in May 1988 at Musiclab Berlin, unveils a thrash metal odyssey. Side A's studio tracks reflect meticulous artistry, while Side B captures the band's live brilliance at "Dynamo" Eindhoven. The album, a time capsule of raw energy and innovation, stands as a testament to Kreator's enduring impact on the genre, inviting listeners to relive a pivotal moment in thrash metal history.

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KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill ( Thrash Metal )
Picture Of KREATOR - Pleasure to Kill ( Thrash Metal ) album front cover

NOISE N 0037 , 1986 , Germany

This is the original first edition of "Pleasure to Kill"

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KREATOR - Terrible Certainty ( Thrash Metal )
Picture Of KREATOR - Terrible Certainty ( Thrash Metal ) album front cover

Noise International N 0086 , 1987 , Germany

"Terrible Certainty" by KREATOR, the 1987 thrash metal masterpiece, emerged from the hallowed halls of Hannover's Horus Studio. Produced by Roy Rowland, the album's sonic onslaught, marked by lightning-fast riffs and Mille Petrozza's visceral vocals, solidified KREATOR's global metal dominance. With iconic artwork by Phil Lawvere and themes of dystopia, the album's impact echoes through generations, leaving an enduring mark on the thrash metal landscape.

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