Artist: Vader
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 6/4/02
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Title: Revelations Artist: Vader Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 6/4/02 |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
A few years ago a band named Vader came out with an album named Litany. I always thought that this album was unfairly ignored in the press, not to mention in the casual conversations of the average metal head. It just seemed that it had no buzz, or at least no momentum. As soon as it was released it was forgotten, and I was always a little disappointed by that. I truly hope, for all our sakes, Revelations doesn't go the same route.
"Revelations does an impeccable job of not only showing us where modern metal has come from, but also where it's going." This album is a thorough pleasure from start to finish, melding the power of modern death to the nostalgia of 80s speed metal with adept integrity. Vader have always had a slight retro feel to them due to the strong influence older Slayer still has on their music, but this album seems to push past their others - sounding vibrant and fresh with improved songwriting and a better sense of riff. This becomes evident only a few moments into the disc. Revelations does an impeccable job of not only showing us where modern metal has come from, but also where it's going. All one needs to do is listen to the opening riff to lead track "Epitaph (For Humanity)" to realize how much this band has matured.
Peter's vocal barks remain unchanged, and for the most part indecipherable, but the guitar sound is a bit more analog and fuzzy. This sound is used to great effect, contrasting greatly with the more synthetic sounds that are so common in today's metal world. This is the perfect album for someone like me, old enough to remember metal's heyday in the mid eighties, but forward thinking enough to appreciate the diverse group of metal musicians out today. This album is a great listen from beginning to end, you will never have to hit the fast forward button, and it is still completely Vader, so there's no way the long time fan can feel short changed.
"Maybe it's timing, or maybe it's that I've always been a fan of this band, but this is one of my favorite albums of the year so far." Maybe it's timing, or maybe it's that I've always been a fan of this band, but this is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. It's nice to know that now that we have other Polish metal bands to compare with these guys they still measure up - they weren't a novelty, just a forerunner from a fertile area for metal. I love this record. One word review: Awesome.
Death's Review:
Vader kick ass. Their new album, Revelations, still sounds like Slayer, Sepultura and Morbid Angel combined with a harsher, more modern extreme metal aesthetic, yet it sticks with me in a way their prior albums haven't. From the opening chords of "Epitaph," which evoke an 80's mosh part in a killer, early death or late underground thrash song, through every riff - fast or slow - that follows, Vader kick serious metal ass, stepping forward with one of the better death metal efforts I've heard in some time. Combining the epic feel of early thrash metal at its peak a la Slayer with a modern-day European conviction, Vader are within sight of that legendary "sweet spot" in the metal scene: that "young-veteran level," "pure" metal band; commercially residing just beneath the "true underground" barrier in the U.S.;that come out with a fast, furious and spiteful album filled with sick riffs and blistering speed, a la Slayer's Reign In Blood and Seputura's Arise that make everyone stand up and take notice.
"Vader kick serious metal ass, stepping forward with one of the better death metal efforts I've heard in some time."
Now I'm not saying Vader's at that level yet with Revelations, but I am saying that this album has moments which are up to that level. Moments. The balance of the record consists of fairly derivative yet serviceable post-Slayer Slayer by way of Morbid Angel. The record is cool, but it does suffer from my jolt in expectation level every time I hit one of the awesome parts, then get all jacked up on adrenaline as I turn up the volume and wait for the next ultra-killer riff that doesn't come soon enough. That is by no means an indictment. It has simply been my experience. I know Revelations is a killer album. It's a question of whether this is a killer new death metal platter or an all-time great.
"The balance of the record consists of fairly derivative yet serviceable post-Slayer Slayer by way of Morbid Angel."
Hel's Review:
Oh boy, oh boy, a new Vader album! An event always to be looked forward to - at least in my book. This band has impressed me in the past, and I have come to expect good things from them. In this case, my expectations were most certainly met.
"Oh boy, oh boy, a new Vader album! An event always to be looked forward to - at least in my book." Vader provides us with excellently crafted, mid-paced death. Much of it is fast as fuck, and the rest of it alternates between slow, heavy parts and virtuoso guitar sections. The vocals are so nearly-legible you can almost sing along, and the lyrics portray suitably dark images.
"You're in for a groovy death metal ride if you climb onboard Revelations." The songs flow smoothly from one section to another, and while they wear their influences on their sleeves, they simultaneously incorporate stunningly original elements, which make the end product wonderful to thrash around to. All in all, you're in for a groovy death metal ride if you climb onboard Revelations.
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