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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost perfect, September 6, 2006
As if playing over a hundred gigs each year isn't hard enough work, Vader have also been releasing new music almost constantly since the year 2000. Coming off of an 2004's blistering "The Beast" and last year's delightful "The Art Of War" EP, Vader have regrouped and hammered out their eighth album (and their fourth in the past six years). But this record, "Impressions In Blood," differs from past this Polish group's past material. Firstly, it's generally quite a bit slower paced. Next, it's the first full album the band have recorded without longtime drummer Krzysztof "Doc" Raczkowski (Dariusz "Daray" Brzozowski stepped in for him back in 2004). Oh, and this release is also different because it just might be the crown jewel of Vader's long and famous career.
One of the first things you'll notice when you first pop this disc in is that it doesn't sound as Slayer-inspired as, say, "The Beast." The songs are usually still exceptionally fast, but the greater use of restrained tempos help hold the listener's attention and give "Impressions In Blood" some extra power. Plus, it helps the listener fully appreciate all of the band members' stellar, extremely technical and air-tight musicianship.
On ten out of these eleven songs (not counting the "Intro"), molten riffs and blazing guitar leads combine with pounding drums (which are played with almost impossible ease), and Peter's deep, barked vocals to form relentless, impenetrably hard rhythms which seem tailor made for splitting the listener's skull right down the center. Plus, the production's superb clarity captures the intensity of the instruments while simultaneously applying a very dark and cold ambience to the otherwise amelodic, harmony-deficient sound. Indeed, this is surely the most brutal Vader album of recent memory, and maybe ever.
To address the record's flaws, "Between Day and Night (Intro)" is kind of an eerie first song (it uses an orchestra) which sets the mood of the later songs well, but it doesn't really add much to the album as a whole and thus probably could have been scrapped. Also the outro to "Predator," is chilling and ominous, but it gets stretched too long, becomes drawn out, and kind of comes across sounding like Vader were trying to fill space. With those two minor complaints aside, it's imperative you know that "Impressions In Blood" is nothing short of an excellent, almost perfect album which is definitely a frontrunner for the best metal release (death metal or otherwise) of 2006.
"Shadow Fear" is a terrific opener which immediately gets the listener to the red meat. Upon hearing this track's beginning (which hits insanely fast, hard, and convincingly), any extreme metal fan will immediately develop a huge, silly smile and instinctively think "God, I love death metal." The listener is then treated to a wall of propulsive, searing guitar noise, rapid-fire drums, and six guitar solos! (The solos start out wild and progressively grow more slow and technical.)
But it doesn't stop there, because every one of these songs (or tracks 2-11, at least) is a standout and potential highpoint. "As Heavens Collide..." has a furious, jackhammer rhythm and snowballing riffs (they begin chugging kind of slowly but build off of each other and become faster).. "Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)" starts out slowly before being catapulted into a downright brutal rhythm, a quick, catchy, running guitar lead, and Peter's ultra evil vocals and poetry. Track five, "Field Of Deads," is another one which will crush you effortlessly. This song is also of note because of its cool, even kind of atmospheric drum solo at the end. Next, "Predator" is a good, well placed monotony-breaker. (It begins using the same orchestra that was included in the "Intro," and even though the machine gun drums and chugging, iron riffs kick in soon thereafter, the song never becomes very fast or loud.) "Warlords" returns the album to its brutal roots, though. It begins with catchy, staccato guitar hooks and a rhythmic, stop-start drum pattern before the two join together to form a crushing, bulldozing beat. Following that, "Red Code," which is backed by a blistering guitar lead and a drummer who does a fine job of not falling behind, is probably the fastest song you'll find on here. "Amongst The Ruins," the ninth cut, sports a terrific give and take between the energetic, walloping drum beat and scorching guitar riffs (it sounds even more awesome when it speeds up and becomes almost blinding near the end of the song.) The second to last song, "They Live!!!," is yet another intense, explosive, mind-numbing onslaught; and, finally, the hooky "Book" falls into a deep, lurching groove early on and remains there for the remainder of the album.
In case it hasn't already been made apparent to you, what we have on our hands here is a godly death metal album. It's immensely brutal, but also has a few areas for you to stop and catch your breath. It's uncompromising but it never gets monotonous. It's so loud that it might shake the foundation around you, but also very complex and inspired. It's fast, but also catchy and with individually memorable songs. And most importantly, it's a highly punishing but also completely satisfying listen. Take note: "Impressions Of Blood" is, quite simply, the way death metal should be done.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Perfect Impression of Vader, September 23, 2006
Vader. A Death metal band from Poland that has been around since 1986, became the first band from "behind the Iron Curtin" and still holds onto one of the records for one of the best selling demo's in Death Metal history with the release of Morbid Reich selling 10,000 copies. Overtime Vader began releasing classic after classic. De Profundis, Black to the Blind, Litany, Reflections, The Beast, etc. They also record either an EP or live album in-between full-length albums so that there is always something new each year. Some critics were actually saying that Vader's reign as the best polish Death metal band were up as more and more Death Metal has emerged from the country over the years such as Behemoth. Well their new release Impressions in Blood reinforces the fact that they are the Polish kings of Death Metal.
Despite loosing their legendary drummer "Doc" to what may have been alcohol abuse, Vader carried on with Daray as the new drummer in 2004 with the release of The Beast. They then released an EP titled The Art of War in 2005 and now Impression In Blood in 2006. The main complaint on The Beast was that Daray was too slow of a drummer for those songs. Well those who believe that, can now change their minds as Daray's speed on the drums has greatly improved with this album. To quote Daray before the release of the album "It's going to be the fastest I've ever recorded." Peter and Mauser's riffs are impressive and addicting and the solos are blistering. Peter's vocals are very similar to those on The Beast and are clearly decipherable for the most part. Novy's bass is unfortunately buried in the mix, but that's not uncommon for Death Metal. The production is very clear but not overdone which adds to the enjoyment of the listener. Orchestral music is also added throughout the album such as the intro Between Day and Night, Helleluiah! (God is dead), the beginning of The Book and Predator.
This album is flawless from beginning to end. There simply is not a weak track and I rarely say that. The only thing I would change would be the first eight seconds of Warlords because it sounds very silly and out of place, but once the song kicks into gear, it doesn't let up. The song Predator is a slow number and sounds somewhat like a Doom Metal song and is a very atmospheric song about vampires and is also the longest track on the album at 5:12. One would imagine that Helleluiah! (God is Dead) would be a cheesy song, but Vader pulls it off and its actually rather serious and has an absolutely killer music video to go along with it. The closing song The Book has to be my favorite song as it features a nice buildup and even features a few tribal drums at certain points.
The one and only flaw about Impressions in Blood is that the Japanese get a bonus track on their Import. For some reason and I will never understand why, the Japanese always get bonus tracks. Europeans get them too, but the Japanese always get more. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem with me, because most Vader Imports have a bonus track of two. The problem is that the bonus track is a studio cover of Slayer's Raining Blood; a cover that they have been performing live since at least 1998. It is an insult that this cover is not available on the album in America: Slayer's homeland. The upside to this is that Vader made this bonus track available for download from the band's website so it's not a huge loss but it is still very aggravating that that cover is not on the American release.
Impressions In Blood was well worth the short wait since the release of The Art of War. Vader is one of the few bands that continues to impress me with each release of theirs that I add to my collection. Rarely will they have anything remotely resembling a weak track and after seeing them in concert, I can hardly wait to see them again. Vader have always maintained their originality throughout their career, which is something most bands can't do and Impressions in Blood continues that trend of originality.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
88/100, A significant improvement over The Beast and their best album so far., April 18, 2009
This is great death metal album. It isn't in the least bit progressive or innovative. The only thing Vader does to stand out from the crown with this one is brutal musicianship. I actually think this is better than Revelations. I dig the "Raining Blood" (Originally by Slayer) cover on the Japanese version. My favorite songs on here are "ShadowFear", "Predator", and "They Live!!!". I find it pretty hard to get excited about this band, but I must give credit where credit is due and say that this is their best album yet, no question about it. If you're looking for good, consistent, solid death metal this is the band for you, just don't expect anything more than that.
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