Customer Reviews

Impressions in Blood

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

You have to give credit to Vader - there are very few bands that have maintained their ferocity, drive and hunger over such a long period of time, especially in a genre as demanding as death metal. I think this is their best work since Litany. It's as fast, brutal and intense as anything they've ever done, and there's a bit more variety in song structures this time around. Also, the production is better than on some of their previous releases. Drummer Daray is unbelievable, and they've finally let him cut loose on this. The drums are prominent in the mix, but not to the point where they overpower the rest of the music (which I thought was a problem on Litany). I think my favorite tracks are "Warlords" and "Shadowfear" and "As Heavens Collide", but there's not a weak track on the album.

Peter has been the driving force behind this band for over 25 years, and they aren't slowing down a bit even after so long. I've seen these guys live a few times, and their live show is outstanding. Doc (R.I.P.) and Peter were especially cool to us after one of the shows as well. They deserve their reputation as part of the elite tier of death metal bands. I definitely recommend "Impressions in Blood", and I also recommend checking them out live. Excellent band.

Vader has seemed to lose a bit of steam since losing DOC, and "Impressions in Blood" is proof that the band needs to put together a more complete album, since some of the songs on it, really drag it though the mud. There are some great songs on here, but once again as an album as a whole, its almost a bit of a disspointment. It starts off with the intro of "Between Day and Night" and goes into the horrendous Shadowfear. On all of Vaders releases, the intro plus the second song, all kick you right in the chest. "Shadowfear" keeps you wondering where exactly this album is going to go with a disspointing start. Things pick up with "As Heavens Collide" which goes back to classic Vader form, with a bit of a slow down, but a great guitar solo saves it from falling into the toilet. "Helleluyah" is a so-so song, nothing special, but as you can tell from the review so far, nothing in the first four tracks have really been OUTSTANDING Vader material, only track three really standing out from the rest of the mediorce material. Just when you think its never going to get any better, "Field of Heads" delievers and is the best song on the album at this point, but only to be let down by the horrid "Predator"(which has some good drumming, but the rest is just, corny) and the medicore "Warlords" Finally the last four songs save "Impressions in Blood" from falling into the toilet. "Red Code", "Amongst the Ruins", "They Live" and the savage insane drumming on "Book" is a great way to end the album and show that it didnt turn into the two star medicoirity that I thought it was going to be. Its great songs are better then the great songs on "The Beast" (which I give 3 1/2 stars to) but "The Beast" flows much better, and its only toward the end of the album where it falls off a bit. AS you can see, I am truely old school, as listening to an album from track one to end, they way they were intending to be listened to, and if you are a purist, you might think this album could have been arranged much better.

Daray's new Axis pedals seem to do the trick for blistering, yet controlled speed. The orchestral sections add some mood in a similar manner as with Art of War (Kind of that "Orcs are attacking!!" motif). Great production quality and creative, non-repetitive compositions make the album something to definitely pick-up, crank, and drive friggin' fast to.

-And, yes. I've seen them play live several times and the speed is real! (for all you disbelieving posers- is that word still used?)

I MET VADER AT CLUB Q IN MIAMI FLORIDA AT ONE OF THERE CONCERTS WITH BRUTAL MASTICATION, MONSTROSITY, AND BROKEN HOPE. THERE REALLY COOL GUYS AND THEY CAN PLAY. THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DEATH METAL SHOWS. VADER RATES IN MY BOOK. GO GET THE CD TODAY.

This is another great Disc by Vader. I don't know how I missed this Disc,
but I was checking out Vader albums. On Amazon and found out I missed
Impressions of Blood, after I had purchased Necropolis. This is a "GREAT
DEATH METAL" Band, and a must for all Head Bangers!!!
"Blow Your Speakers with Rock & Roll" Thank You

Vader rules, plain and simple. Are they reinventing the wheel on their latest cd?-No, but who cares. This full length continues where the band left off with their outstanding 'The Art of War' ep from last year. I will reiterate what I said in my title, this is the most brutal release in the last 5-8 years, and I own every death metal cd there is. Faster than Napalm, Faster than Suffocation, Faster than Krisiun, Faster than Behemoth, Faster than anything you ever heard, except for Mortician, but they use a drum machine, so that does not count. Seriously it's even more evil sounding than the ep. This is the band's most angry and aggressive release. Not to say that there are no slow parts, there are, but not as many as what was on the Beast, they're last full length cd. Great music to work out to, watch it if you drive you may find yourself speeding because the music is so fast. My favorite foreign band for years does not disappoint. If you just want face ripping brutality get this today. If you want some false heavy music go get Trivium or some other garbage like that and stop reading this review. Vader are the gods of Brutality!!!!!!!

What a year from death metal, first Cannibal Corpse, later Krisiun, Grave, Unleashed and the list goes on, but Vader puts in the map one of an incredible album sub par with the other bands altough better. Vader never sounded better since 5 or 8 years, believe me, this is pure brautality, the guitars, the bass and the drums in perfect chaotic combination and the vocals way good!!! Don't hesitate to try a spin on this!!! Recommended!!!

This is a mandatory purchase if you like vader. Its just a brutal and crushing album. Stop reading this and just buy it.
One of my favorite tracks is predator because it just sounds so cool and as a ton of atmosphere to it. Im just gonna shut up now so you can got buy it.