Vader
Black To The Blind (1997)

By Matt Tulini
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  This 29-minute hyperblast reminds me of Slayer’s classic Reign in Blood a la death metal.  Both are about the same length with the same amount of songs and the same brutal ferocity.  Vader seem to get better and better with each album.  Their first album, The Ultimate Incantation (just reissued by Earache) was a classic, no frills death album. On De Profundis they developed a unique sound. Black To The Blind, their newest full-length, finds them breaking speed limits and pissing off more Christians.  We are subjected to ten blistering tracks, all dealing with Satanism.  Lyrics are prefaced with quotes from the world’s most prominent atheists, including Aleister Crowley, James Madison, and others. What more can I say; the album rules.  There’s even a picture of the band covered in blood and dirt on the back cover!  It’s death metal but it’s so fast it sounds like speed metal to me.  Drumming is excellent and the leads will make blood pour from your ears. If you like this kind of music, I highly recommend this album.

Enjoyment:  80

Sound Quality:  60