Phantom Antichrist


Phantom Antichrist is the 13th studio album by German thrash metal band Kreator, released through Nuclear Blast on 1 June 2012.
The album entered the US Billboard 200 at No. 130, selling 3,900 copies in the first week.

Release and promotion

The album's title track was released as a limited edition 7" vinyl single, which sold out very quickly. It has since been released digitally. The B-side is a cover of "The [Number of the Beast (song)|The Number of the Beast]" by Iron Maiden.
Kreator released a music video for "Civilization Collapse" on 28 November 2012.

Packaging

The digipak edition includes a bonus CD containing a documentary about the making of the album and a live set compiled from Kreator's performances at the Wacken Open Air festivals in 2008 and 2011.
A very limited edition version of the album is available through the Nuclear Blast online store, which comes in a metal box containing the CD+DVD version of the album, an exclusive live album called Harvesting the Grapes of Horror which contains the audio from the live portion of the DVD, a red T-shirt bearing the band's logo and the album title, a photocard signed by Mille Petrozza, an A1 poster of the album artwork, and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Critical reception

The album has a more progressive and melodic sound than previously explored by the band and was generally well received by critics. It won a 2012 Metal Storm Award for "Best Thrash Metal Album". According to Metal Injection, the sound on the album can be described as melodic death metal. "As is the case through most of Phantom AntiChrist, the title track feels like a shot of melodic death metal chased with a glass of dissonant thrash. Actually, through much of the album, it felt like Kreator decided to collaborate with Amon Amarth. This results in a heroic and catchy blend of sounds that I was not expecting, but was more than pleased to hear. From Flood to Fire is almost a perfect amalgamation, with a brilliantly constructed solo-bridge with a chugging rhythm section from hell. Civilization Collapse does one even better with a flurry of riffs and solos, ending with the sound of a mighty explosion." It won a 2012 Metal Storm Award for "Best Thrash Metal Album".

Track listing

Personnel

Phantom Antichrist album personnel adapted from the CD liner notes.
;Kreator
;Production
;Art
  • Wes Benscoter – cover artwork
  • Jan Meininghaus – additional cover artwork, booklet design
  • Heile for Heilemania – band photos

    Chart performance