What is a musical equivalent to blitzkrieg? The answer is Vader's latest mini album. With their "god-knows-how-manyeth" release this Polish quartet slays and leaves no suffering half-deads. This one is dedicated to late Krzysztof "Docent" Raczkowski, the band's previous drummer.

'Para Bellum' opens this with symphonic war-theme. Gladly, Vader haven't turned into Dimmu Borgir, as quite straight 'This Is the War' shows. The song accelerates into hyper speed of 'Litany' (2000) album after epic intro. The new skins-basher is Daray of Vesania, Pyorrhoea and Neolithic. Two different video mixes of the are also available on the CD. Warhammer-esque robots and robot armors on 3D computer animation video (from some game?!) really doesn't offer too much to watch, though. 'Lead Us !!!' is even faster a song! If you know how Vader sound like (you really should!), then you know what to expect. Blasting, brutal, infectious death metal. And no, Vader do not sound like Bolt Thrower! 'Banners on the Wind' is a fine electronic interlude, reminding me of some computer game music. It transfers into partly slower 'What Colour Is Your Blood?', which must be one of the catchiest death metal songs. Total headbanging mayhem, the song has more variety than earlier ones with Slayer-esque slow part. 'Death in Silence' is another blaster reminding of 'Litany' platter. Vader continue their fight against religions, and you can count me in Vader's troops (am I a stormtrooper then, eh?!). Soundwise this is shaper than last year's 'The Beast' album. Backbone is harder than a steel skeleton's. Peter does have a huge beary growl, and words he puts out are totally understandable.

The one thing I wanted this to be was longer in duration and other thing is that I really miss some great Vader-ization of some classic metal song like on some of their previous mini albums. Cover art is computer graphics from the video and includes some annoying spelling mistakes in the lyrics. Anyways, all death-heads must pick up this lethal dose now!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
12/03/2005 01:12