Coming up on their 25th anniversary with a collection of records behind them any band would be proud of ,Vader still continues to release nothing but top notch death metal perfected with their signaturistic song writing.
There are many reasons to support this band. Live, they are just about perfect, and their sound is always audible. The songs are memorable and follow the tried and true formula this band has stuck with since the beginning. They do not ignore their past, and include songs from many older releases in their set list, which is something fans, including me, really appreciate. Many bands push newer songs from the most recent release, which is understandable, but fans always want to hear the classics. Vader is the type of band that delivers them with a fresh ferocity that makes their music timeless.
This record stays with the traditional sound they have mastered, and I bet the next 10 records they do will still be the same. It's hard to say one particular record by this band is not as good as another, and for some bands with records so similar this is looked at as redundant and stale…but fans of Vader wouldn't have it any other way. This is absolutely one of the hardest working bands on earth! They are a machine driven to succeed and know what their fans want to hear.
This release is just awesome. The replacement for drummer Doc after his untimely death is really outstanding. The man's name is Daray, and he has my utmost respect for filling one of the most important positions this band needs to stay on top. The sound quality on this record kicks ass, but I'm disappointed the bass is buried by the guitars. Novy is worshipped as one of the best bass players in death metal with his effortless precision. I expected to hear a bit more of him in the mix.
Some of the guitar solos on this record seem to be a little out of the ordinary for Vader. Occasionally a riff or two has a tiny bit of a more commercial appeal, which may be why I see, or better, hear, this influence in the soloing as well. Don’t get me wrong. This record is brutal. It is heavy as fuck and will NOT disappoint. It has Vader stamped all over it and it is simply pulverizing. It is just so masterful that you need not make any effort to get into this record. It will hook into your soul and take you on a journey .Really incredibly impressive.
Track 6, "Predator," is a slow moving song that just shows how great this band can sound. The speed of traditional Vader is always audible, but the slow song lets you catch you breath, and shows that a song does not have to be a complex whirlwind of brutality to be a definitive song for Vader. The lyrics on this record are dark, and well written.
Impressions in Blood may as well be looked at as Vader's masterpiece. It is as perfect as a record could be. Their following worldwide is huge; they’ve traveled the globe countless times, and I can see this band being in the top 10 bands for extreme metal. If you have not heard Vader, get off your ass and buy this record. They will win you over on a single play. With 17 previous releases and a DVD or two, you can drown yourself in the music of this band, and I highly recommend that you do. Vader fucking rules.