Kreator – “Outcast” (Reissue) [Album Review]

Back in 1997, when a large portion of the world was still reveling in the throes of the Seattle Grunge scene that pretty much defined the decade, if you looked under the surface you could still find a number of bands carrying the torch for traditional heavy metal. I know, for me, I was all about Kreator during the ‘90s and really still listen to them regularly today. They have experimented over the years, as most band do, but have remained true their thrash metal roots and have been one of those groups that you could always rely on for solid releases.

I was very excited to see that Outcast was being reissued digitally and on colored vinyl. This record did not fare as well when it was issued in the 90’s still holds up in 2018. To be honest, I had not revisited Outcast in a while but once the barrage of drums kicked in on “Stronger Than Before” it felt like I had been reunited with an old friend. After all this time, the words came right back to me and the memories that I think only music can provide came flooding back — I was briefly transported to 1997. In all honesty, this album holds up in the truest sense of the word; It is fast, hard-hitting, and thrashy. Many classic bands are currently reissuing some of their older releases to varying degrees of success. I think that with the reissue of Outcast, Kreator has knocked it out of the park.

This is a must-have for fans of the band and, for those not familiar with these highly influential German thrashers, it is the perfect place to get your ass kicked and get a feel for what Kreator is all about. The reissue also comes with bonus material from the band’s performance at the 1998 Dynamo Open Air where you can hear tons of older classics performed flawlessly in the live setting.

Outcast (Reissue) Track Listing:
CD1
01. Leave This World Behind
02. Phobia
03. Forever
04. Black Sunrise
05. Nonconformist
06. Enemy Unseen
07. Outcast
08. Stronger Than Before
09. Ruin Of Life
10. Whatever It May Take
11. Alive Again
12. Against The Rest
13. A Better Tomorrow

CD2 – Live at Dynamo Open Air 1998:
14. Intro: Dr. Wagner, Part 3
15. Terror Zone
16. Lost
17. Leave This World Behind
18. Phobia
19. Black Sunrise
20. Choir of the Damned
21. Pleasure To Kill
22. Whatever If May Take
23. Extreme Aggression
24. Renewal

Run Time: 47:18
Release Date: February 26, 2018

Check out, if you haven’t already, the band’s single “Leave This World Behind”.