Vader, Lead Us

I’ve always been a big fan of Vader — with my introduction to them in the form of their 1993 release The Ultimate Incantation I don’t think I’ve been quite right ever since. This latest compilation from Regain Records is a small gathering of tracks from various albums and MCDs that were only available outside of the U.S.

Four tracks doesn’t make a notable release in the band’s storied discography, but it does have a gem of a track in their cover of Slayer’s “Raining Blood.” Throw in a few videos as a bonus and you’ve got a small Vader fix to tide you over till the release of their next full length.

Lead Us!!!
Taken from the band’s 2006 MCD The Art of War, “Lead Us” has some great, heavy riffing and bludgeoning drum work. Wiwczarek vocals are deep and clearly understood — and believe me you want to hear what he says. There’s a great lead at teh 1:21 mark that’ll leave you breathless. The solo int eh second half of the track is insane, leasting for nearly a full minute.

The Book
“The Book” from Vader’s Impressions in Blood starts off with some string orchestration before unholy hell breaks loose with heaven shaiking drum work and demonic riffs. This is a monster of a track, that shifts tempos with barbaric riffs and shredding vocals.

Die!!! (Gin Psie)
The shortest track on this small compilation is taken from the Japanese edition of The Art of War MCD. It also starts off with some string orchestration before the band releases the hounds of hell. Driving drums and thick riffs combine with Wiwczarek’s evil vocals for a great song.

Raining Blood
And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for. This cover of Slayer’s “Raining Blood” was taken from Vader’s Japanese edition of Impressions in Blood from 2006. As far as Slayer covers go, no one can ever match the original sound, but Vader do an admirable job performing their own treatment of the classic track. It’s much beefier and thicker sounding and quite well done in my humble opinion. It doesn’t quite have that feel of Slayer’s original work with Wiwczarek’s deeper vocals,but it’s damned good nonetheless.

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If you’re looking for a few hard to find tracks from the Japanese editions of some of Vader’s material then you’ll want to jump on this fourn song EP. The Slayer cover is enough if you ask me.

Favorite Tracks:
All of them

Additional Notes:
Features videos for “This Is The War”, “Helleluya!!! (God Is Dead)” and “Sword of The Witcher.”