In a recent discussion with Portugal's Look Mag, Kreator's mastermind Mille Petrozza provided an update on the progress of the band's new material. Despite their latest album, Hate Über Alles, having been released in 2022, Petrozza revealed that he's been consistently working on new material.
"I'm writing music constantly. I know that Hate Über Alles came out in 2022, but it was lying there for over a year. So, to us, the album came out almost in '21 because the music was done and we didn't release it because there was still lockdown and we wanted to wait until the whole pandemic was over," he shared (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Since then, Petrozza has been prolific, having already penned around ten songs or ideas. Despite this progress, he emphasized the importance of timing and thematic readiness, stating: "I have written since '21 or '22, when we recorded it, I've already written, like, 10 songs or something, or 10 ideas for songs. And I could record an album today, but I want to wait until the right moment comes when I have a lyrical concept and everything feels right. To me, it's not important to release something just for the sake of it. I think it needs to just feel right… I'd rather be quiet than saying something where I don't have anything to say."
When questioned about the timeline for their next release, Petrozza indicated that the band is eyeing 2026 for their next album. He mentioned that 2025 might be dedicated to songwriting and recording, with the potential release slated for early 2026: "We have a rough idea. We have scheduled the record for 2026, maybe — but if everything goes right. We're probably gonna take the year '25 off just for songwriting and recording. And let's see where it takes us. But if everything goes to plan, then there will be a new Kreator record at the beginning of '26."."
Discussing the secret behind Kreator’s long-lasting success, Petrozza emphasized the importance of authenticity and perseverance: "There is no formula or secret. I think it's basically believing in what we do and trying to be us rather than trying to be something that we're not. And endurance is another factor, a little bit of luck, of course, and being at the right place at the right time. We have started very early, as teenagers in the '80s, and I think that kind of helps, being one of the first bands that play extreme metal in Europe."
He also acknowledged the band's multigenerational appeal, expressing gratitude for their ability to connect with fans across different age groups: "It's just the way it goes. I guess when you're around for that long, it's just natural that people are getting older and younger kids are discovering the music that we play. And therefore I feel very privileged to be able to see that. Not many bands endure that long, and I know that not many bands stay together for more than 10 years or even 20 or five years sometimes.
"We were prepared to do this when we were kids, and I dedicated my life to this, and I'm happy that there's so much interest and there's still so many people, like almost two or almost three generations of an audience that still enjoy extreme metal from Germany. It's a cool thing. I think it's really cool."
