Kreator is a german thrash metal band from Essen (NRW), Germany. Originally started off under as Metal Militia, then as Tyrant and later as Tormentor before permanently deciding for Kreator in 1982. Initially playing a thrash metal with Venom influences, their style of music is similar to that of their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, which are considered the other two big teutonic thrash metal bands from Germany. All three of these bands are often credited with helping create the death metal subgenre.