Live Review: Kreator & Anthrax – European Tour 2024 – Eventim Apollo, London

London’s Eventim Apollo became the epicenter of thrash metal as Kreator and Anthrax delivered a co-headline performance that celebrated the genre’s enduring legacy. Testament set the tone with a commanding opening set, creating an atmosphere charged with excitement and anticipation for the night ahead.

Testament opened with precision and power, delivering a performance that showcased their technical skill and stage presence. Chuck Billy’s towering vocals and the intricate guitar work of Alex Skolnick carried the crowd through standout tracks like ‘Into the Pit’ and ‘Over the Wall’. The audience was fully engaged, erupting into mosh pits and raising their horns in a collective show of enthusiasm.

Kreator took the stage next, their performance brimming with intensity and focus. Opening with ‘Hate Über Alles’, Mille Petrozza immediately drew the crowd into the band’s unrelenting energy. Tracks like ‘Phobia’ and ‘Enemy of God’ highlighted Kreator’s ability to blend aggression with precision, while ‘Hail to the Hordes’ brought a sense of unity as fans chanted along to every word.

The band balanced melodic elements with raw power during ‘Strongest of the Strong’ and ‘Phantom Antichrist’, while the iconic ‘Violent Revolution’ sent the crowd into a frenzy. Closing with the ferocious ‘Pleasure to Kill’, Kreator left the stage having delivered a performance that underscored their status as one of thrash metal’s defining acts.

Anthrax followed, meeting the challenge of closing the night with a set filled with fan favorites and an unmistakable sense of camaraderie with the audience. Opening with ‘A.I.R.’, the band captured the room’s energy, seamlessly transitioning into classics like ‘Caught in a Mosh’ and ‘Madhouse’. Joey Belladonna’s vocals soared over Scott Ian’s crushing riffs, while the rhythm section anchored the performance with a relentless drive.

One of the night’s most memorable moments came during ‘Indians’, as the crowd roared along to the “WAR DANCE” chant before erupting into a massive circle pit. The encore, ‘Gung-Ho’, brought the evening to a powerful conclusion, with the entire venue united in celebration of the band’s storied career.

This co-headline tour was a masterclass in thrash metal, with Testament, Kreator, and Anthrax each showcasing their unique strengths. The Eventim Apollo proved to be the ideal venue for this unforgettable night, its intimate yet resonant atmosphere enhancing every note. Fans left with the sense that they had witnessed something truly special, a celebration of thrash metal’s past, present, and future.