Album Type: EP
Date Released: 12/08/2016
Label: Nuclear Blast
‘Iron Times’ CD//DD track listing:
1.
Parabellum (2:28)
2.
Prayer To The God Of War (2:47)
3.
Piesc I Stal (4:05)
4.
Overkill (4:17)
The Review:
Vader, a classic Polish metal
band need no introduction. Their thrashing death stylings are well known to
most death heads and, as their recent tour with Overkill proved, they crossover
well to a more thrash/traditional audience as well. I was somewhat surprised to
hear that this EP leans firmly towards the thrash end of their output. Across
the four tracks you could be forgiven for thinking you were hearing the latest US
thrashers on the block.
Just
listen to the opener “Parabellum” for
proof. Hyper fast thrash beats, angular riffage... but with those blasts and
snaking riffs that scream death metal at you (or growl it, perhaps). Similarly,
“Prayer To The God Of War” finds the
band in deadly form; fast and furious all the way. Neither of the first two
tracks goes close to three minutes, so it is up to “Piesc I Stal” originally by Panzer X to raise the playing time and drop
the tempo. What is it about? I don't know as I only speak English! It has a
good rolling groove to it and some great lead work (as does the whole album)
and marks a change of tack for the band. Great stuff.
This
short and spiky EP ends with a cover of “Overkill"
by Motorhead,
and as expected the band deliver a fast and raucous version. A guitar is used
instead of the bass for the well known intro, and the band play it straight
thereafter. Still a classic, nearly 40 years after it was first unleashed. Four
tracks: two ragers and two covers. A fine stop gap before the next album. Fans
will want to check it out. Those new to the band could have a taste here.
‘Iron Times’ is available now
Band info: facebook
RIYL: Morbid Angel, Decapitated, Hate, Behemoth