Polish death metal legends Vader are back in the scene with a new EP, ‘Iron Times’. This is a lead up to their forthcoming album ‘The Empire’, via Nuclear Blast, which we’ll be treated to at the end of September this year. On the new EP, there are 4 tracks, including 2 brand new songs as well as a cover of Motorhead’s “Overkill“.
“Parabellum” opens with a fast tempo drum-beat leading into some blistering guitar sounds, kicking this EP off with a bang. The song is rather short, but good enough to leave you wanting more. On vocals, Piotr Wiwczarek is sounding just as good now as he ever was, as the Vader lead man roars his way through the song in typical Vader style. Marek Pajak’s guitar work must also be commended here; all in all, it is a very good, short opening to the EP.
“Prayer To The God Of War” is up next, which displays at times some thrash elements in its sound, with a very ‘I could head bang to this over and over again’ kind of feel to it. Again, it’s another fairly short track, so just as you’re starting to get into it, it’s over. Marek Pajak’s guitar work out stands out for me again. If a song like this is a preview of what’s to come on their new album come late September, we could well be in for something very special.
“Piesc I Stal” has a much slower pace to it. The whole song is in Polish, but much like with Rammstein, you don’t need to understand what he’s singing to enjoy the song itself. The band are on top form here, and move through the track nicely, and although I myself prefer their more fast-paced stuff, “Piesc I Stal“ is a nice change to the routine.
Vader’s attempt at “Overkill” is a very nice way to round off the EP, and give a fitting tribute to the late Lemmy Kilmister all at the same time. It’s actually one of the better ones of the many that have been recorded recently, so kudos to Vader for doing the cover justice.
This taster form Vader is a very good offering for what could be coming on the new album in September. If the tracks on the new album are anywhere close to what you hear on this EP, then Piotr Wiwczarek and the rest of the band have the making of something very special indeed.