VADER — The Ultimate Incantation (review)

VADER — The Ultimate Incantation album cover Album · 1992 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"The Ultimate Incantation" is the debut full-length studio album by Polish death metal act Vader. The album was released through Earache Records in November 1992. "The Ultimate Incantation" has quite an interesting recording history as it was originally recorded at Sunlight Studios in Stockholm, Sweden with prolific producer Thomas Skogsberg but apparently both the band and Earache Records were dissatisfied with the result and Vader ended up re-recording the whole album at Rhythm Studios in England with producer Paul Johnson. Despite being credited for playing on the album, neither bassist Jacek "Jackie" Kalisz nor guitarist Jaroslaw "China" Labieniec actually played on "The Ultimate Incantation", which was recorded as a two-piece consisting of Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek (guitar, bass, vocals) and Krysztof "Doc" Raczkowski (drums).

Poland had produced quite a few relatively prolific thrash metal acts in the eighties such as Wolf Spider, Turbo and Dragon, but Vader are one of the first death metal acts from the country to earn success and underground fame.

It´s obvious that Vader started out as a thrash metal act too though, because the music on "The Ultimate Incantation" is basically thrash infused death metal. Early Slayer is a huge influence on the music on "The Ultimate Incantation" (screaming atonal solos and all...). The vocals aren´t even that brutal but more a semi-growling raw type vocal delivery. The quality of the music doesn´t suffer one bit from this though. Yes it´s an old school type death metal, and by late 1992 most acts had moved on to a less thrash influenced death metal style, but it´s catchy and effective. Nothing revolutionary but definitely enjoyable.

The sound production is powerful and suits the music well. Just another positive that makes "The Ultimate Incantation" a strong debut release by Vader. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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