Vader

Live in Japan (Pavement)
by Tim Den

These guys have paid their dues. Ten years into their existence, Vader is finally getting the attention they deserve. Whereas their earlier efforts were less than spectacular (early ’90s’The Ultimate Incantation was actually quite boring), the last half of the ’90s has seen this band evolve into nothing less than perfection. ’95’s De Profoundis had me creaming in my pants, and they’ve managed to do it again here with Live in Japan – 18 tracks of pure power, precision, and mind-boggling songwriting.

Listening to “Sothis,” “Silent Empire,” and “Blood of Kingu,” there’s no doubt that very few bands today compare to the kind of structure and execution delivered by Vader. Not only have they captured the adrenaline needed to fuel death metal beyond its swampy roots, they’ve injected a vibe all their own that recalls the kick in the crotch that was Slayer in the ’80s. As the band cover “Raining Blood” toward the end of the set, it becomes obvious that not even the almighty S can harness this kind of power anymore. The overwhelming brutality is so raw and blood-boiling, I almost cried listening to it. It’s that fuckin’ beautiful. Live in Japan is a lot more than just a documentary of an impeccable machine at work, it’s hard evidence that Vader is among the best pure death metal bands today.
(102 S. River Drive #102 Tempe, AZ 85281)