ALBUM REVIEW: The Empire – Vader

VADER have been one of the benchmarks of the death metal scene for the best part of 2 decades and the Polish punishers are now poised to strike with their follow up to 2014’s Tibi Et Igni entitled The Empire due for release via Nuclear Blast on November 4th. Once again they have supplied a blistering onslaught of “All Killer, No Filler” tracks ready to destroy your senses and leave you praying for mercy.

The Empire possesses a very powerful, almost thrash metal style ferocity which is instantly distinguishable from the offset with the fast paced opener Angels Of Steel and very rarely relents throughout the windmill inducing brutality. The unyielding combination of thunderous drum beats and intricate guitar solo’s on show in tracks such as Parabellum and No Gravity are the audible equivalent of having a cannon shot directly into your face whilst Piotr‘s signature shrill vocals cut through the carnage with piercing clarity.

Piotr Wiwczarek (The only constant from the bands career spanning a mammoth 23 years and counting) sums this album up perfectly with his call to arms featured in The Army-geddon where he bellows “I shall lead you to the land of your dreams.” For any death metal enthusiast The Empire is just that, a comprehensive powerhouse which is not only very accessible to listeners who may not be educated in the pummelling prowess of VADER‘s arsenal but they have somehow managed to make this album sound fresh and revitalising without sacrificing any of the traits the band is synonymous for.

The Empire is packed full of gripping, tireless anthems which will undoubtedly become a staple of their live performances for many years to come.

Rating: 9/10

The Empire is set for release on November 4th via Nuclear Blast Records.

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