Vader - _The Art of War_
(Regain Records, 2005)
by: Jackie Smit (8 out of 10)
Vader's days at the top of death metal's fetid pile have been numbered for some time now. An influx of fresh talent, combined with blistering efforts from such stalwarts as Immolation and Cannibal Corpse, only seemed to highlight the fact that in recent years the band who were once mentioned in the same hushed tones as Slayer had either grown lazy or were just lacking inspiration; a particular criticism of their last two efforts. It's surprising therefore that amidst what must have been a remarkably stressful and traumatic year for the band, given the untimely passing of former bandmate "Doc" Raczkowski, they should release some of the strongest material they've produced since _De Profundis_. Okay, so maybe this is only an EP, but the likes of "This Is the War" and "Lead Us" appear to be chock-full of exactly what the Polish quartet have been lacking for the past five years: convincing aggression and enough speed to knock the earth off its axis. This is classic Vader to be sure, and while it would be presumptuous to romanticise the motivation behind such a sudden surge of motivation as linked in some way to a desire to honour their fallen comrade's last memory, if 2006 can play host to a full-length of similar quality, then Vader's climb back on to the top of the mountain seems entirely certain.
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