Phantom Antichrist

Phantom Antichrist is the 13th studio album by German thrash metal band Kreator, released through Nuclear Blast on 1 June 2012.

The album entered the US Billboard 200 at No. 130, selling 3,900 copies in the first week.

Release and promotion
The album's title track was released as a limited edition 7" vinyl single, which sold out very quickly. It has since been released digitally. The B-side is a cover of "The Number of the Beast" by Iron Maiden.

Kreator released a music video for "Civilization Collapse" on 28 November 2012.

Packaging
The digipak edition includes a bonus CD containing a documentary about the making of the album and a live set compiled from Kreator's performances at the Wacken Open Air festivals in 2008 and 2011.

A very limited edition version of the album is available through the Nuclear Blast online store, which comes in a metal box containing the CD+DVD version of the album, an exclusive live album called Harvesting the Grapes of Horror which contains the audio from the live portion of the DVD, a red T-shirt bearing the band's logo and the album title, a photocard signed by Mille Petrozza, an A1 poster of the album artwork, and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Critical reception
The album has a more progressive and melodic sound than previously explored by the band and was generally well received by critics. It won a 2012 Metal Storm Award for "Best Thrash Metal Album".

Personnel
Phantom Antichrist album personnel adapted from the CD liner notes.


 * Kreator
 * Mille Petrozza – lead vocals, guitars
 * Sami Yli-Sirniö – guitars, backing vocals, acoustic guitar on the intro of "United in Hate"
 * Christian Giesler – bass
 * Ventor – drums


 * Production
 * Jens Bogren – mixing, recording, producing at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden
 * Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York City
 * Johan Örnborg – additional recording


 * Art
 * Wes Benscoter – cover artwork
 * Jan Meininghaus – additional cover artwork, booklet design
 * Heile for Heilemania – band photos