Album Review: Vader - De Profundis
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Originally released in 1995, it’s amazing to think that quarter of a century has passed since the Polish death metal outfit delivered this ferocious beast of a record. Remastered and released on vinyl for the first time, the album was described as the perfect blend of Slayer and Morbid Angel at the time and that portrayal remains as effective now as it did then.
If you are a fan of the band, then this is sure to nestle amongst your collection. Although the band’s roots date back to 1983, it was only in 1992 that debut record ‘The Ultimate Incantation’ was released. The line-up credited on ‘De Profundis’ was drummer Krzysztof "Docent" Raczkowski (RIP 2005), rhythm guitarist Jarosław "China" Łabieniec , bassist Leszek "Shambo" Rakowski and of course Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek, lead guitar and vocals. It’s Peter’s gruff vocals and spicy lead breaks that provide the distinct Vader style, one that wowed over 2000 different audiences during the band’s career. There is a question as to who played what on ‘’De Profundis’, with credits issued to various band members who may not have been part of the recording process.
Whatever the truth, ‘De Profundis’ is one nasty, snarling slab of old school death metal. It may only be 34 minutes long, but Vader have always pursued short sharp blasts of intensity over longer, sprawling tracks. This is no exception and the pulverising approach that was evident in 2020’s ‘Solitude in Madness’ Only ‘Reborn in Flames’ tips the five-minute mark, with the remainder a blitz of bludgeoning aural aggro. Tracks like ‘An Act of Darkness’, ‘Revolt’ and ‘Incarnation’ are all blisteringly fast, short songs that demand attention in a grotesque manner. You seriously need to keep an eye on this before your neck splits.
Vader have a blueprint from which they have never strayed. The explosive approach has been present throughout their 12 albums, and even in their early recording days, they demonstrated the tenacity and aggression that has fuelled their nigh on 40-year campaign. It may only be Peter present today from this line-up, but ‘De Profundis’, Latin for From the Depths is a solid and hugely brutal record that should be on the lists of more than just the death metal fan.
