The Vader camp has changed drastically in the past year, with 3/4 of the band leaving and panzer general Peter bringing in a team of new recruits, including guitarist Vogg of the ever-popular Decapitated. Although ex-guitarist Mauser contributed a few tracks to the band’s last album, 06’s ‘Impressions in Blood’, it really is Peter’s beast and as far as I’m aware, he handled everything on this recording, save the drum tracks, which only session drummer Paul (Soul Snatcher) was capable of doing.
There have been numerous suggestions that ‘Necropolis’ is similar in many ways to older Vader albums, in particular 95’s ‘De Profundis’ and 00’s ‘Litany’. Well, yes, there are similarities, which are blatant if anything, but this is hardly a return to the past or a continuation of ‘Impressions...’ It’s just Vader, albeit a pretty groovy one at that.
As an opener, ‘Devilizer’ shows off that trademark Vader heaviness and especially the rhythmic side, whilst Peter’s vocals are full of impact – cavernous as ever. There’s nothing new here or dull either, it’s just unremarkable.
‘Rise of the Undead’ is a more captivating listen however, with a starting riff reminiscent of the style from 97’s ‘Black to the Blind’. This is more brutal, introducing blast-beats and thrashes along with much more malevolence.
Although only two minutes long, ‘Never say my Name’ is one of the finest tracks, combining some compelling dynamics and memorable riffs. The verse is moderately melodic and oh so intense; the higher chords of the riff breaking through the chaos, like a beam of light slicing through a cluster of dark clouds. These kinds of moments remind me why this band has remained my favourite in the world of Death Metal since I discovered the genre, and I daresay it would work very well live.
I originally wasn’t in the least impressed with ‘Impure’ when it went up on their My Space page months ago, but now enjoy it for what it is – a huge slab of heavy groove. Not their most interesting song, but it’s bloody catchy.
The urgency for something more challenging returns with ‘Anger’, which as it suggests is a trifle more heated than some of the other compositions. The riffs project a dash of extra colour, despite not being particularly melodious, wailing away as Peter cries the title over a barrage of clattering drums.
The opening chords of ‘We are the Horde’ scream ‘De Profundis’, and likewise for a number of the groove-ridden riffs which spring up during its running time. It’s much like a marriage of old and new and the splicing has been performed very well indeed.
Admittedly I don’t think this is Vader’s crowning glory by a fair distance, but it’s absolutely not a poor album. It tramples over 04’s ‘The Beast’ (which I will probably slate forever) with its wealth of memorable songs, but doesn’t retain the darkness, force (Star Wars pun unintended) or raw power that its predecessor has. All in all, a good album and it’s great to hear Peter still has ideas!
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