VADER

The album "Impressions In Blood" is VADER's eighth. Veterans of the Polish death metal scene, as on their previous release, open the disc with an intro. This is arguably the most melodic album the Poles have recorded in 14 years. Everything else remains intact — blistering and very precise guitar parts, Peter's vicious vocals, alternation between fast and slow passages. Darek is now a permanent member of the band rather than a session drummer, as was the case on the previous album. Bassist Novy remains in the ranks, as does guitarist Mauser. The disc's main distinguishing feature is the extensive use of keyboards — yes, the music has undoubtedly become less angry and harsh because of it, but it hasn't changed for the worse in any way. The compositions alternate in length and character of performance — energetic two-minute blasters give way to five-minute tracks with atmospheric introductions, interludes, and so on. All in all, an excellent, high-quality effort, and who would have doubted that one of the founding fathers of Poland's extremely successful and rapidly growing extreme scene would deliver and put out a release that is solid in material and professionally recorded. And so they did.