Artist: Vader
Label: Conquest Music
Release Date: 1995
Rating: 5 Skulls
Slither's Review:
My worldly awakening to the works of Vader is a recent one. Working my way backwards through their catalogue and pausing occasionally to leapfrog in the opposite direction for more recent standout work, Litany, I have come to the conclusion that their mountain of consistent output is not a plateau. While Vader's discography marches like an intractable army silhouetted against a dark horizon, there is one spear tip in that horde which bears the most wicked barbs. That weapon has a name, and in a long career of consistent punishing death metal De Profundis is still razor sharp. No frills necessary, as artists they seek only to evince brutality through action. The atonal chaos of early Morbid Angel is reigned in and adhered to a staunch militaristic cadence giving rise to a new sound; the Polish sound.This Polska quartet of death metal warriors most likely did not have the passionately vile man-love of Oscar Wilde's masterpiece in mind while committing their second studio full-length to tape but his poignant commentary does offer a bit of reflection on this album's aural assault. 'Suffering is permanent, obscure, and dark / And has the nature of infinity.' De Profundis captures the quote's essence perfectly with a collection of songs which interlock in a near seamless fashion and pound on for the duration of the work leaving little reference to denote track specifics. This trait is not due to the symptoms of drawn out mediocrity which many current albums suffer, but rather a singular dedication to purpose that Vader mastered early. The magnificent and steadfast quality of Doc's drumming is the backbone of De Profundis and his dynamic choices lend themselves in creating the closest thing to catchy passages. Sandwiched between percussion and the intelligible bark of vocalist Piotr Wiwczarek are some of the most sublimely bestial riffs ever committed to tape. Synthesizing the structure of Max Cavalera's early work with the chaos of Floridian death metal, the Lovecraftian themed compositions contained within are truly powerful. Massive in scope, understated in execution; Vader have answered the call of Psalms 130.
A song of ascents, out of the depths I call to you, LORD;
Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
From fathomless darkness came Vader's reply: De Profundis.
Bloodshed and death metal manifest upon all souls; none shall be spared.
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