VADER's XXV ANNIVERSARY

Death metal feast or rather a funeral banquet

30.08.2008 Warsaw (PL)

It wasn't meant to be that way. Birthday party of the most distinguished polish metal band was damaged by unexpected news of Mauser's and Daray's departure. Long time preparations were completely ruined by those unfriendly circumstances. And I can tell you it's quite strange when something that is supposed to be a big celebration – and a real death metal feast - suddenly turns out to be in some ways rather a funeral banquet.

But let's start in chronological order. Few weeks before the show I thought that it'll be perfect ending to this year's holidays – however I'm far too old for being a school boy – but for some of VADER's and death metal fans it'd be the great opportunity to celebrate summer's end. When I got news that the show is completely sold out, my impatience was growing stronger, and I couldn't help awaitin' the day. Friday's evening in company of some old school metal friends and Żołądkowa Gorzka – the only polish vodka, which can be drank also when it's warm – was a good warm up. But when I arrived at venue's doors GRAVE already finished their show – well... hangover sindrome. So please forgive me but I can't give you any details on current killing force of „You'll Never See” creators. Maybe next time.

ROTTING CHRIST surprised at the very beginning with really clear sound. Without any problems we could hear every detail of their songs. Sakis who welcomed us in polish – Dzień Dobry Warszawa!! - encouraged maniacs to scream and clap their hands. And honestly speaking Greeks received a really warm welcome. Melodic and atmosperic songs from the new album: „Nemecic”, „RegeDiabolicus” and „Keravnos Kivernitos” were enjoeyd as enthusiastically as old classics „The Sign of Evil Existence”, „Non Serviam” and „In Domine Sathana”.

After 20 minutes break DISMEMBER started with an stormy intro. When the musicians – who played their first show in Poland in sixteen years – entered the stage covered in bloodred lights people screamed, but the madness began with the first riff of „Override of the Overture”. Karki with his traditional beer stomach screamed exactly as powerful as on that debut record. Famous Sunlight originated guitars' crunch made me feel like I was 15 years younger. When Matti anounced that „Death Conquers All” it was clear that they're not going to take a prisoners. „Skinfather” damaged my conscience. Swedish masters of death played also: „Casket Garden” - with maniacs helping Karki with the chorus and epic and unforgettable „Dismembered”. „Dreaming In Red” was a moment for little breath. Of course a tribute to Iron Maiden couldn't be missed. „Under A Blood Red Sky” finished the show. And left me wanting more. But as you all know there are very few things as merciless as festival's time schedule.

GOREFEST didn't have a chance to play in Poland for ten years. It was also a first time when I was about to feel the power of Dutch tank. Without any doubts for me it was the most anticipated band of this show. And undoubtedly it turned out to be one of the best. Stodola's foundation were shaken by killer opener „The Glorious Dead”. The deep and unique De Koeijer's growl was exactly as powerful as on „False”. Bonebaker's and Harthoorn's wall of sound crushed my bones. And that amazing human-machine behind the drum set - Ed Warby – pumped blood in veins of that four-headed monster. We got back in time even further when GF killed posers with „Mental Misery”. „State of Mind” - after all those years that song is still a pure masterpiece of brutality. The modern period in band's history was proudly represented by intensity of ”For The Masses” and wildness of „Revolt'. But of course everybody went crazy, when they masacred the crowd with „Reality – When You Die” and „Get-A -Life”. Two immortal masterpieces of technically skilled and intelligent metal of death. There was no need to add anything. They've damaged the place.

While MARDUK sprinkled those who gathered with black pitch I decided to leave the club – thanks for the wristbands Mariusz! - in order to pick up the life forces. I was the lucky one, because generally speaking there was only thing to complain about. 2000 people were doomed to starve. There was only one – yeah that's not mistake – barbecue in the whole venue. The queue of people waitin' for something to eat seemed to be endless during the whole show. And to make it clear it was forbidden to leave the club – I've heard that the owner didn't want metalheads to go out, because, they would rather buy a cheap beer in the shop nearby, than at his bar. I can understand it. But why he didn’t take care of some food stores. I’ve been to many countries, and I've never seen such a stupidity.

When I came back NILE annihilated the wicked with their ultra-brutal, Egyptian death metal. The American monster executed us with such a killers like: „The Sarcophagus”, „Annihilation of The Wicked” and „Black Seed of Vengence”. I expected sonic chaos, but the band sounded perfectly. The welcome was great. It's no surprise. Sanders & Co. since the very beginnings are really respected among polish maniacs.

I've seen ENTOMBED at this year's WITH FULL FORCE and BRUTAL ASSAULT so I didn't expect any surprises. And actually there weren't any. Without any doubts LG Petrov could be used as a metalhead model in metal's museum. Wearing old SADUS longsleeve, talkin' about drinkin' vodka in hotel and banging his head like a maniac he led us through the whole show which contained such a glorious hits like: „Serpent Saints”, „Crawl”, „Supposed To Rot”, „Chief Rebel Angel”, „Sinners Bleed”, „When In Sodom”, „Stranger Aeons” and finally of course „Left Hand Path”. The sound was rather dirty and in my opinion sometimes it ruined a little band's efforts. And like after every ENTOMBED show I must tell that without second guitar their killing ability is at least halved.

SAMAEL was the last of the evening's special guests. It's a strange example of band that has lost their black metal influences, but didn't lose their old fans attention. Of course there are some orhodox ones who have never accepted the direction taken on 1996's „Passage”. But in Poland it's a still big name among extreme metal fans. Vorph welcomed us with perfect Polish pronunciation of our capital's name and started to rock with „Solar Soul” - the title track from the new album. After short break the time has come for it's equivalent from „Reign of Light”. Xy raged behind his keyboards during another new track„On The Rise”. Fans went crazy when Vorph announced: „It's glad to see that you like new stuff, so now we will play some oldies for you”. „Rain”, „Baphomet's Throne” and totally unexpected „Into the Pentagram”were the highlights of their great performance. Like always during „The Ones Who Came Before” Vorph sang the song without a guitar in his hands. „Ave!” - was introduced as probably the heaviest song ever written by SAMAEL. „Slavocracy” finished the main set. ,The encore was „My Saviour” - intense and powerful. Without any doubts SAMAEL confirmed their class. Band's in the great condition. And hopefully the next record will be at least as good as „Solar Soul”.

Finally the time has come for the main feature. However fans weren’t aware of the situation, but there was something in the air. Peter’s announcements weren’t as quick as usually. I guess it was hard to pretend that everything is OK in front of two thousand people. VADER started with the same tracks as they did during first big polish tour in 1993. „Dark Age”, „The Crucified Ones” and „The Final Massacre” – those classics need no introduction. Death/thrash riffs and insane blasting are trademarks of VADER’s style. Peter decided to lead his panzer commando through whole band’s history. „Chaos” – also known from their debut “The Ultimate Incantation” represented demo-era “Silent Empire”, “Blood of Kingu” and “Reborn In Flames” were acoompanied by thounderous applause of fans singing “Sto Lat!” – a polish traditional birthday party song . The band’s performance was as always at the highest level. From 1997’s “Black To The Blind” VADER blasted off the title track. Then “Carnal” – announced by Peter as a track composed in two minutes and one of the biggest VADER’s hits ever – with guest appearance by Marek Pajak from ESQARIAL on guitar and Harry Maat – the author of few lyrics from last studio album - on vocals, warmed up the crowd. Anyway Harry’s growl wasn’t nothing special, but I guess it was a huge thing for that guy.

“Fractal Light” was another song with Pajak on guitar – and of course I can’t suggest anything, but in my opinion it’d be definitely a good choice to replace Mauser with that guy. His image and guitar mastery is a top quality class. After few minutes break – which was something strange indeed, I thought it was caused by some technical problems with Peter’s guitar, but I may be wrong – VADER played “Wings” and “Xeper” form “Litany” and “Reign Forever World”. It was also a time for another guest appearance. Simon played bass, and difference between his stage image and current bassist’s – Reyash from SUPREME LORD – was something that came into my mind in the first place.

Peter continued with “Epitaph” and “Dark Transmission”. “This Is War!” was damaged by guest apeearance by Sakis from ROTTING CHRIST. The guy seemed to be a little drunk, but it wouldn’t be a problem. But he didn’t even learn the lyrics. The were printed on the piece of paper which was stuck to the stage. I expected more songs from great “Impressions In Blood, but VADER played only “ShadowFear”, and “Helleluyah (God Is Dead)!!!”. As the grand finale Peter decided to choose the hidden treasure “Giń Psie!” from band’s very beginnings in mid eighties. The encore was “Raining Blood”. Their version is at least as powerful as original. And that was the end. I was a little disappointed, because I expected more guest appearances – hoping for Petrov, Karki and De Koeijer backing vocals in immortal SLAYER’s track - and something that will make that gig a unique one. Frankly speaking the show wasn’t bad. But it wasn’t really special either. Just another, solid VADER gig. But now when I know about that big mess, everything has become much more logic. Hope that Peter will have more luck with 30th anniversary. See you there.

Pics by Robert Grablewski and Agnieszka Krysiuk