Great Metal Albums of 1987: Kreator- Terrible Uncertainty

Everybody in the metal world has their own choices as to which bands should be added to make the Big 4 the Big 5 and beyond. Nuclear Assault was one suggestion I have heard as was Venom but for me, if there was one band I would add, I would choose German thrashers Kreator. By 1987, after three albums, including this 1987 “Terrible Uncertainty” album, and an EP, I was definitely a Kreator fan. Sure, there were those who didn’t take them seriously and I know of one guitarist who reckoned Mille Petrozza had only been playing guitar for six months, not true, but I never let any of that spoil my enjoyment of this band.

“Terrible Uncertainty” opens with the organized chaos which is “Blind Faith.” This song just goes for it and lets you, the listener, know that Kreator aren’t going to take prisoners. It’s just one big enjoyable thrash stew which has me wanting a most pit each time I hear it. But they weren’t simply going to rest on the laurels of their previous smash album, “Pleasure to Kill.” That continues through the next song as the intensity doesn’t not let up. To quote the song title, Kreator are definitely “Storming with Menace.” On the subject of “Pleasure to Kill,” there are similarities between the title track of that album and this one. Like the previous, they slow things down slightly and the melody is similar. Plus, Mille shreds away like a demon on it, after which, there is a great rhythm guitar mosh part. However, the song begins with a bass line from Rob Fioretti and it’s nice to hear his four string here.

Mille shares lead vocal duties with drummer Ventor on “As the World Burns” as well as Ventor delivering some cool drum fills in the middle of the song, which gives way to another Mille shred. The track is ‘slower’ than the previous song but no less ferocious. Pounding drums and bass backed up with some great thrash riffs introduce “Toxic Trace.” Again, the drum fills supplement my argument that Ventor is a very underrated drummer. The track also returns the album to more speedier territory in parts and is the longest song on the album clocking in at just over five and a half minutes. It is followed by the second longest track, “No Escape” which is just over five minutes. It keeps the album on boil before it overflows with the thrashing speed of “One of Us.” Mille produces an intriguing guitar solo here and it should dispel any thoughts that he was only playing guitar for six months.

For me, Kreator save the best for last with the closer, “Behind the Mirror.” Newly added guitarist Jorge Trzebiatowski makes his debut by playing the doom infested intro to the track and he shows here that he was a welcome addition. When his intro is over, Mille and co go total thrash metal nuts. If one is energy depleted from the rest of the album, this song provides the rejuvenation needed to carry through to the end. It’s a great way to end the album, especially with Mille’s guitar solo.

Track Listing:

1. Blind Faith
2. Storming With Menace
3. Terrible Uncertainty
4. As the World Burns
5. Toxic Trace
6. No Escape
7. One of Us
8. Behind the Mirror

Kreator

Mille Petrozza- lead vocals, guitars

Ventor- drums, co-lead vocal on “As the World Burns”

Rob Fioretti- bass

Jorge ‘Tritze’ Trzebiatowski- guitar on intro to “Behind the Mirror”

“Terrible Uncertainty” fully established Kreator as one of the greats of thrash metal, at least in my mind. They proved they could thrash with the best.

Next post: Sacrifice- Forward to Termination

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