VADER –The Empire CD Witching Hour 2016

 
Yeah, the moment this album was out, all hell broke loose. Plenty of voices uttered their various opinions on this album, from highly negative to very positive, whereas some people were boldly saying The Empire is an artificial album, with no feeling in it at all. Well, on hearing such rubbish, I wondered whether those people did actually manage to listen to this album at all. Or more than just once? I don’t think so, coz if they had, they`d not be feeding us bullshit like this right fucking now.
In my view, their two latest albums, Tibi Et Igni and The Empire are VADER`s more interesting materials to enjoy. The Empire is full of old-school energy, lots of catchy atmosphere. Ok, I agree its super-duper clean production is this album`s weakness but one can get used to it. Because powerful riffs just crush! The very first riff of Angels of Steel tell us VADER is doing really ok!
This track is characterized by plenty of tempo changes with crazy guitar work, sparky solos and atmospheric slow-downs. Plenty of emotions in this track, hey! Tempest is a typical fucking death metal cut; a fast and brutal track, yeah. James has accelerated this track to some unbelievable speed, next the track slows down with a climatic solo part and Peter`s vocal part annihilates whatever there is. Power! Prayer to the God of War is one of my favourites here on this album. In the Swedish vein a little bit, this one is really catchy. Awesome!
Amazingly stunning solos are just powerful, to say the least and hey, there is another track for you to adore, Judas` Iron Reign. The guitars are razor-sharp, the tune is catchy and almost heavy metal`ish. Album`s best track, no doubt! Pure old-school. No gravity is energetic too! It is a typical blaster in the pure VADER vein. The guitars are of utter import_ance here and guitar solo duels can make you think of the K.K. Downing/Glenn Tipton duo. Genocidios is one of VADER`s most intense slabs, however I do like its slower parts too where there is a lot of going on. And if you like the dark side of the force theme, well, Peter plays some riffs from the Imperial Anthem. It is really pleasant!
The Army-Geddon kicks ass too. Slow and medium-fast tempos are dominant here, yet pierced with James` attacks and Pajak`s guitar work. This track really works for me, every single riff here is pure destruction. Feel my pain means fury that penetrates a listener like lightning. Parabellum is another stunning track. Hell, this music just oozes old-school! Send me back to Hell closes this album and what can be said about it? Another medium-tempoed track with a catchy refrain.
Guys, how can`t one like this stuff, eh? One of the best albums as of recently and a must-have for anyone into metal music. I kept listening to this stuff for a couple of days incessantly. I didn’t get bored at all, man. The Empire means power. Comes very much recommended. Anyone who`s not listened to it yet, well, get it! Leszek Wojnicz-Sianożęcki