Over the past 15 years, the growling masterminds of VADER have proven to be an incredibly reliable source of unwaivering, top-shelf death metal. They're the type of band that gives fans of the genre unflinching motive to scoop up copies of their back catalog without thinking twice about quality; they're the death metal fan's no-brainer. News of a new release results in an immediate pre-order. For simplicity's sake, it would be easy if all genres had slam-dunks like VADER in their ranks.

All this aside, the shortness of "The Art of War" is an inexcusable crime. The few tracks included here are so powerful, exibiting such an ambrosial listening experience, the end of the disc will absolutely piss you off. Think classic SLAYER and SEPULTURA spiced up with the hammergrind percussion of Polish contemporaries like ANTIGAMA or THIRD DEGREE. The leads cut into your ears like a spinning blade squealing into fresh pine. But it's just enough to get you excited before dropping you off at your doorstep again. It's your girlfriend's hot sister that doesn't feel the need to get completely dressed when you come to the door. It's one sip of coffee before you spill it all over yourself. A frustrating tease for sure, (particularly "Lead us!" and "Death in Silence", just fucking amazing and crunchy as all getout) but buy it anyway. A full-length of this quality would be simply devastating.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.vader.pl

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