Customer Reviews

Beast

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vader are a great band, don't get me wrong. It just seems like lately they have been treading water with regard to their songwriting and not really progressing. On this effort, the songs all have great beats and there are some memorable riffs here and there, but the last few albums have sounded as though the band keep doing variations on the same main rhythm and sticking to safe territory. Purists will like this as it means more of a time tested formula that obviously works well for Vader. The 5th track on the disc is a kind of an exception. The band experiment with a new sort of vocal style and song structure and is definitely a highlight of the disc. Also, the last track opens with a clean guitar intro done in such a way I haven't heard Vader use before. Other than that, It's another pummeling offering of backbeats and blasts from one of Poland's premier death metal acts. Enjoy.

To say I was looking forward to this CD would be an understatement. Poland's Vader are probably my favorite Metal band hitting the boards today. 2002's 'Revelations' album is a classic of its kind, on par with Slayer's 'Reign in Blood in my opinion, and worthy of any metal fan's respect, no matter which avenue you venture down. However, Vader have found them in a conundrum that if something drastic doesn't happen they could very easily wear themselves thin.

Remember back in 1986 when Slayer released 'Reign in Blood' and people freaked out - they rightly-so went loopy over this record? Well, RIB was such a ferocious thrash metal landmark that instead of trying to carbon copy it they went in the opposite direction, recording the slower, doomier-dare-I-say-it melodic 'South of Heaven' instead, winning them even more fans who snubbed their noses at the 'noisy' RIB. After the release of 'Revelations' Vader were in the same boat, and though they recorded the competent 'Blood' EP I was expecting this talented foursome to pull something, well, different, out of their hats than this.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great metal album, a perfect combination of Slayer-esque thrash meets 'Schizophrenia'-era Sepultura death metal, but it could have very well been recorded during the 'Revelations' sessions. Album opener 'Out of the Deep' could very well be 'Epitaph', the opener of their 2002 classic. In fact, any song featured on 'The Beast', no matter how well played or brutal or ferocious, 'Firebringer', 'I Shall Prevail', 'The Zone', sounds pretty much like, well, Vader. And while this is certainly no bad thing - 90% of bands in the scene today wish they were this good - I would have likened to see a little risk or bravado thrown into the mix.

As it stands Vader is a much loved and respected death metal band, but, going by 'The Beast', if they remain stagnant they may get left behind.

Vader aren't one of Poland's finest exports only because of their talent and powerful song execution, but also because they offer a small breath of fresh air to the scene. They don't write their songs around over-the-top subject matter, unintelligible vocal parts, and a few good riffs; they compose whole, thoroughly planned out songs.

Vader's seventh album (not counting EP's and live discs, mind you), "The Beast," IS a friggin' beast. It's a well-produced, superbly-played effort, and a brutal, fiery, careening, relentless ride, making it on par with their best material. Even the addition of some new blood--drummer Daray (formerly of the band Vesania) replaced longtime skinsman Doc--didn't slow this band down at all. In fact, Doc does an excellent job filling in, because there is some truly awesome drumming to be heard here. He, together with the guitarists (Peter Wiwczarek and Mauser Stefanowicz, who unleash blistering, streamlined chainsaw leads and solos), make this record the audio equivalent of a fleet of rocket-propelled bulldozers, which conquer and race past everything in sight while still managing to pull off some nifty hooks in the process. The band members unrepentantly blast and rip through almost every song on "The Beast" (almost every second), thus producing stellar thrashing intensity, frenetic energy, and industrial strength songs.

The foreboding "Intro" is the sole song on here which is completely restrained, so take a breath before proceeding with the next track. Don't even bother standing in the way of tracks like "Out Of The Deep," "Firebringer," and "Insomnia," because their trade-off, smoke-inducing, buzzsaw guitar leads, wild solos, furiously fast and walloping blast beats, and barked vocals will effortlessly plow right over you. "I Shall Prevail" packs an equally-as-blinding speed, but it differs because its guitar solos are fairly slow, melodic, and technical. "Dark Transmission" is bolstered by hooky, rhythmic, circular leads and persistent, bottom heavy double bass thumps. "The Sea Came In At Last" is a big highlight, and a song you'll remember vividly long after it has stopped playing. It boasts a great slow-fast dynamic; the slow parts have gentle strumming and a grumbling bass line (as well as a few moments of near silence), while the fast parts blanket the listener with breakneck guitar work and busy, forceful, Meshuggah-esque drums. Next, "The Zone" and "Apopheniac" are two fairly abrasive, mid tempo cuts which are juiced with slower, grinding, churning riffs and fairly long, wailing solos. And finally, "Choices" is a potent, thunderously booming set closer (but it begins with melodic guitar strings).

It's true that Vader don't exactly hide the fact that they draw from the same well as Slayer for much of "The Beast," but they're still two completely different bands. Vader's songs are catchier, and they have a minimally-used vocalist vocals who draws influence squarely from death metal. There is absolutely nothing to dislike here; this is a thrilling, completely satisfying record. If you're any kind of metalhead or Vader fan, then you'll buy this C.D., bar none!

I have only recently bought this album, and i bought it from all of the reviews i'd read beforehand in magazines. They described it as "Crushingly Brutal Riffs Upon Riffs, This Is What Death Metal Is All About." ..And i wasn't let down at all. This is pure Death Metal. The definition of Death Metal is right here.

I'll admit i don't know how to compare this to previous albums, as i don't own any. But i can compare it to other Death Metal albums i own, and i'd say this is up there with Cannibal Corpse and Deicide, to say the least. This album doesn't let up, and each track seems to top the last one. Out Of The Deep, is a good first song, really fast, and leads perfectly into Dark Transmission, which has a great riff. The singer Peter (Not sure what his last name is) sounds like he's choking. It's a different vocal style, to what i'm used to hearing and i really like it. It's not as brutal as Suffocation vocals, or Circle of Dead Children vocals. But it still adds alot to these songs.

One of my favourite tracks on here, besides Dark Transmission, is I Shall Prevail. If not for the riffs, for the vocals. Towards the end when he screams "I Shall Prevail" and the riffs slow down, just goes to show what Vader are obviously capable of. Like i said, pure Death Metal. The Zone is another example of how brutal Vader can be. With possibly the coolest riff on this album. Apopheniac, i have no idea what that title means, but the riff on this song is yet another example of the brutality. It's another one of my favourite songs on this album.

Fans of Death Metal would already know, and possibly own a few Vader albums..But those new to them, who do indeed like Death Metal, should definitely check out this album. It's great to headbang to, just remember to turn it up L-O-U-D. ..\m/..

This is easily one of the best Metal releases of 2004. I rate it 4/5 only because i can't compare it to their earlier work, which i'm guessing from some other reviewers is even better than this.

Here we go with Vader's 6th. full-length studio cd. Vader are my favorite European act and continously put out punishing music. The new drummer is a suitable replacement for Doc and the guitars on this release are the heaviest to date, the band has achieved. Peter's vox are still incredible, even more clear sounding, but still deep and vicious. This is the best production the band has had on any of their releases. Peter experiments a little w/a new vocal style at one point, which is refreshing to hear. The last release the band put out was the 'Blood' ep. That ep goes down as one of the most brutal releases ever..period!! So I was kinda expecting this release to pick up where 'Blood' left off, I am a little disappointed. I love Vader's brutal blast beats, but sadly they have taken a bit of a backseat on this cd. The first track 'out of the deep' is pure Vader, heavy and blasting. After that we are only 'treated' to 2 other songs that also have the brutal blast beats. The rest of the cd is still great, but the songs are more mid-paced/slower & while some of the songs get fast, they do not venture into the brutal blast like the 3 songs I mentioned. With that being said, the 3 songs, which are the most brutal, are of course the best on the cd. I just wanted more of those types of songs, especially since 'Revelations' & 'Blood' were pretty uncompromising. Now I feel that they are compromising their sound, to go for a wider variety of music fans. The songs are pretty catchy though and of course played w/top notch musicianship.

With all that aside this is still a great release, and is very 'crunchy' sounding in the guitar parts, the cd is just a little less brutal than their past releases.

Vader's new CD the Beast is just what every Death metal Fan wants. Growls of some kind that you can actually make out or understand, shredding guitars and machine gun drumming brought on by the new drummer Daray, who I must add is an excellent replacement and made his appearance on Revelations. (The drummer Doc left due to an injury, I think) the majority of the record is pretty standard Vader except that the unusual tracks The Sea Came at Last and Choices bring some experimentation. If one wasn't told who made Choices (the beginning), then I'm sure Vader would be the farthest thing from their mind. What's best of all is that no filler is present on the Beast. The Beast is here to destroy, bring chaos and create havoc.

Many people complain of Vaders consistant Slayer/Morbid Angel worshipping metal feel each album is the same thing over and over again. Well my friends this CD should change some of that for Vader added a little bit of surprises. Such as some cool little intros like a clicking of a gun (ala At the Gates slaughter of the soul), gushing wind (almost a standard intro for the band), little electronic beeps on the song Dark Transmissions, even more awesome technical melodic skills from Mauser and I mean melodic (almost Mike Amott meets Kerry King style), and in the last song an acoustic guitar intro. I feel the band is starting to experiment a little. Perhaps on the next album they will add more and get the respect of the critics lost after De Profundis.

Vader's latest CD "The Beast" is a brutal, thrash, death-metal assault - which is exactly what a fan of Vader would expect and want. I'm not sure what kind of progression or changes some people are expecting with a band like Vader, but the band certainly have honed their skills on this CD. The guitar work is simply amazing, some of the best around - but this is nothing new. Personally, I like this CD better than "Revelations" because overall I just think that the songs are better (with the exception of "Black Moses" from Revelations - that's their best!).

Anywho, if you're looking for changes from Vader, then you may be disappointed. However, if you want to hear Vader at their finest & doing what they do best, then this CD is for you.

To everyone out there that says The Beast sucks, you suck. This is a great album by a great band. Album highlight I Shall Prevail. If every album by every band sounded the same as its predecessors, music would majorly suck. This album slays, go buy it. \\m//

"The Beast" is a solid Vader CD, yet it isn't their best effort, and usually Vader delivers 5 star efforts. Its not a terrible CD, but I have such a hard time dealing with the absence of DOC. I understand that there are many bands that have line-up changes are some remain just as solid. But Doc's replacement just isnt the same (Forgive me, I dont have the CD booklet in front of me and I forget his name) "The Beast" starts off ripping your head off, but it seems to drag a bit at the end. Please dont get me wrong, its still above average, and a good listen, but once again, its not the best effort, and small part of the band's tightness seemed to die when DOC passed.