What can I say?!? This is high speed, pounding death metal very much in the vein of Deicide with the sort of guitar widdling associated with Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel. The sounds also has a coldness to it that the US bands don’t have. This really gives it an edge over many of the other Death Metal bands out there and reminds me of Black Metal bands such as Aura Noir, early Darkthrone and Immortal. There are also some really grandiose and melancholy parts which remind me of Dimmu Borgir and (dare I say it) early Paradise Lost/My Dying Bride.

Impressions in Blood has one of the best openers I’ve heard in a long time so it totally grabbed me right from the start. The opening orchestral section is reminiscent of Tartaros’ The Red Jewel and then it kicks in with pounding and chugging guitars and rapidly moves into high speed Death Metal. Naturally with music of this type there are going to be a number of songs that sound very similar, almost to the point of monotony.

Tracks to look out for no this album are Shadowfear, Helleluyah!!! (God is Dead) - set to be a real crowd pleaser if played live, and Predator . These tracks have more tempo and style variations and keep you hooked on the album. The opening riffs to Warlords will remind you of Fear Factory during the 90s and then it powers back into unrelenting, fast death Metal. It is this type of musical skill and their prolific album recording/releases that have helped Vader to really make it in the Death Metal scene. So much so that they are mentioned in same breath as Death Metal godfathers such as Deicide and Morbid Angel. Quite an achievement for a band from Poland.

The press release for this album best sums it up: Impressions in Blood has blazing speed (faster than their 2000 release Litany, and is a turbulent metal ride that fans have long asked for. You won’t be disappointed.

****½

Review by Viv