Hard to believe Polish death metal juggernauts Vader have been around for 25 years. To celebrate this monumental anniversary, the band opted not to just release a 'best of' package, but to go back into the studio and re-record two CD's worth of classics. XXV is the result, a smoldering platter of Vader staples, redone 2008 style, as the band takes these songs and injects even more energy and brutality into them. Hearing a new take on early tracks such as "Chaos", "Vicious Circle", "Crucified Ones", and "Reign Carrion", and with superb production values this time around, takes these songs to new levels entirely. Other legendary death metal tunes such as "Silence Empire", "Sothis", "Blood of Kingu", "Wings", "Xeper", and "Kingdom", are all here, along with plenty of others, the band thrusting forth loads of rampaging drum blasts, crushing riffs, frenzied whammy bar littered guitar solos, and Peter's excellent vocals. Keyboards were added to a few tracks for spooky effect, but do not take away from the overall power that the songs exhibit.
Gotta love the booklet that the band & Regain Records put together here, as band leader Peter gives commentary & history for each song, and though the print is small and at times hard to read, once you do it provides insightful background into each of these songs. Throw in a great live photograph of the band, and some cool artwork, and you have a nifty little booklet that further enhances a real solid package from these veteran death metal leaders from Poland. Here's to the next 25 years of Vader music!
Track Listing
CD 1
1. in Vaders 1:38
2. Chaos 4:16
3. Vicious Circle 2:37
4. Crucified Ones 3:18
5. Dark Age 4:31
6. Reign Carrion 6:32
7. Silent Empire 4:13
8. Sothis 3:26
9. Incarnation 3:05
10. Reborn In Flames 4:52
11. Blood Of Kingu 4:33
12. Carnal 2:09
13. Fractal Light 2:41
14. Red Passage 2:46
15. Back To The Blind
CD 2
1. Kingdom 3:21
2. Wings 3:06
3. Xeper 3:49
4. Cold Demons 2:10
5. Final Massacre 4:23
6. Reign Forever World 3:56
7. Epitaph 3:55
8. Dark Transmission 4:34
9. Fear Of Napalm 2:59
10. Wyrocznia 3:24
11. Tyrani Piekel