There are very few bands that have managed
to weave a web of mystery around them. Very few have survived
and kept going strong until today. When faced with the question
'which' people tend to mention American death-mongers with
the likes of MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE or CANNIBAL CORPSE ...
However, for a few years now in the same breath many have
named VADER - perhaps the only band from Europe which has
sustained it´s status for a number of years. Theirs
is the cult of musical brutality and the urge to succeed.
Few may remember that VADER were the first band ever from
behind "the Iron Curtain" to sign to a Western label while
their 1990 demo "Morbid Reich" is still considered to be
the best selling demo tape in the history of death metal.
VADER formed in 1986. In 1993 they released their debut album
titled "The Ultimate Incantation" (Earache) which
has since become one of the milestones of European death
metal. These were also the first brutal sounds from behind "the
Iron Curtain" which reached the audiences all over the world.
Promoting the album VADER introduced themselves to the Western
world by undertaking a forty-date European tour with label
mates BOLT THROWER and Swedish deathsters GRAVE. Another,
thirty-plus date tour with DEICIDE, SUFFOCATION, and DISMEMBER
invaded American continent in May and June of the same year.
Communication breakdown with their label led to the termination
of the contract with Earache and the 1994 release of two
then-underestimated albums: "Sothis" (Repulse) and "The
Darkest Age - Live '93" (Baron). The band also led a
hectic live life touring with MALEVOLENT CREATION and OPPRESSOR
to name just a few. Without a recording contract and with
death metal losing popularity the world over, VADER continued
to work hard against all odds. The 1995 contract with German
System Shock/Impact Records allowed them to develop further.
The success of three subsequent outings: "De Profundis" (1995), "Future
of the Past" (1996), and "Black to the Blind" (1997)
backed with super-intense shows activity (more than 350 concerts
within 3 years!) slowly but surely contributed to the band's
growing profile and increasingly enthusiastic press coverage.
VADER stopped being perceived as a mere curiosity from a
former Communist country and became one of the leading European
death metal bands. In the meantime, Hammerheart Records re-released
two early demos - "Necrolust" (1989) and "Morbid
Reich" (1990) - as "Reborn in Chaos".
1998 proved to be a breaking point for the band. In August
VADER joined an exclusive circle of metal artists who recorded
and released a "Live in Japan" (System Shock/Impact)
album. Before it came out in December, the band also recorded
a new mini "Kingdom" (System Shock/Impact) and their
first professional VHS video titled "Vision and Voice" (Metal
Mind). Also, in October this year VADER opened for SLAYER
during their one-off stop in Poland. The end of 1998 marked
the inking of the contract with one of the most respected
and genre-defining metal labels in the world - Metal Blade.
In March 1999 VADER played their first headlining American
tour - "International Extreme Music Festival '99" - which
featured the line-up of GORGUTS, CRYPTOPSY, NILE, DIVINE
EVE and several others. In May the band played at METALMANIA
- the biggest Polish festival, with the likes of GRIP INC.,
SAMAEL and ANATHEMA. June marked yet another European trek
with SIX FEET UNDER, ENSLAVED, CRYPTOPSY, THYRFING and NILE
while the rest of the summer season was filled with numerous
appearances at festivals in Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Slovakia, and Poland and the season-concluding opening slot
during the Polish leg of TESTAMENT's European tour. In November
and December 1999 the band disappeared in the Red Studio
to record a brand new album titled "Litany" which
was released in March. The album comprises over 30 minutes
of fast-paced and uncompromising death metal. The release
of the album was once again backed with intense live activity,
including April's "No Mercy Festivals 2000" with DEICIDE,
IMMORTAL, MARDUK, and CANNIBAL CORPSE. In June VADER embarked
on a 30-date European tour with VITAL REMAINS, FLESHCRAWL,
and THE CROWN.
In the meantime, between July and October, the band recorded
in the Red Studio a new MCD entitled "Reign Forever World" which
was subsequently released in April 2001, featuring new cuts,
cover versions and live tracks. As usual, the promotion was
based on intensive touring, this time including numerous
festivals, a Polish tour, and a Russian-Ukrainian tour as
well as the band's fifth, and the second as a headliner,
trek to the United States. The latter's bill also featured
CRYPTOPSY, DEEDS OF FLESH, DYING FETUS and CEPHALIC CARNAGE.
September 2001 saw another European tour with CRYPTOPSY,
DYING FETUS, CATASTROPHIC, and several other bands. This
was followed by 10 Polish appearances as part of the Thrash'em
All Festival 2001 together with KRISIUN, BEHEMOTH and the
cream of the Polish death and black scene.
In February 2002 VADER proceeded to record their new studio
album, tentatively scheduled for release on the 3rd of June,
2002. "Revelations" has been again recorded in the
Red Studio while the board duties were handled by Piotr Łukaszewski.
The album also features the new bass-player Simon who replaced
Shambo. Still before the album's premiere, VADER are supporting
the release with live dates in England, Scotland and Ireland
(March 2002), during the No Mercy Festivals dates (April
2002) and a 10-date Polish tour in June. May will also see
the release of the band's first DVD entitled "More Vision
and the Voice" which will comprise the material from
the "Vision and the Voice" VHS video, a number of video-clips,
live footage, an interview with Peter, and a wealth of multimedia
material.
The newest studio album "Revelations" was very intensively
promoted for almost 1,5 years. There were many festivals
in summer 2002, since 30th of August European tour with KRISIUN,
DECAPITATED and PREJUDICE. In November 30 concerts in USA
with IMMOLATION, THE BERZERKER and ORIGIN. Before their flight
to USA they stayed in Japan for 5 days and played next concerts.
Already in December, first in band's history tournee in Brazil.
The new year 2003 started on concerts in France in February
and in April another European tour with DERANGED, ARKON INFAUSTUS
and ARISE. Before it, prestigious festival in Poland - Metalmania
Festival 2003 with SAXON, SAMAEL, OPETH, MARDUK, MAYHEM and
also 2 festivals in Scandinavia- Inferno Metal Festival and
Motala Festival. In June first visit in Israel (1000 people
in concert!) and summer festivals Wacken Open Air, Party
San, Nuclear Storm and the biggest Polish festival Przystanek
Woodstock, where VADER was seen by 400.000 maniacs!!! Between
concerts VADER found some time on recording new MCD "Blood" and
taken place the fundamental change of bass player in band.
The new musician became Novy (ex-BEHEMOTH). The release of
new MCD is scheduled on the 25th of September. In September
VADER are setting off on a Polish tour (17 concerts) with
DECAPITATED, FRONTSIDE and VESANIA. In October they take
part in Art Of Noise Part 2 with NILE, KREATOR, AMON AMARTH
in USA. And then the band is setting to work on the new studio
album, which is expected in spring 2004.
Year 2004 means time for band's new studio album "The
Beast" and extensive promotional campaign including over
170 gigs! Recording session of band's new album was interrupted
and postponed on May/ June due to unfortunate Doc's (drums)
accident. He was replaced by a very talented drummer Daray
(from Polish band VESANIA). New VADER' live season kicked
off with a small tour through Czech Republic/ Slovakia and
Eastern countries like Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia,
The Ukraine and Belarus, 25 gigs in total. From the 1st of
April VADER continues European crusades, invading countries
like Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, England, France,
Italy, Austria to name a few, simultaneously proceeding recordings
of "The Beast". Very important part of that tour were band's
first trip to Balkans (Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia,
Macedonia and Croatia) and Scandinavian tournee consisted
of 14 gigs! On the second half of 2004 VADER is going to
play another tour through Poland "Blitzkrieg 2" (17 gigs),
US tour along with CANNIBAL CORPSE and NAPALM DEATH (October/
November) and participate in December X-Mass Festivals. Nevertheless
the most important gig of 2004 VADER played at Silesian Stadium,
Chorzów where the band opened for METALLICA in front
of 50 000 people.
The Beast recordings were finished in mid-July at RG Studio
(Poland) with Piotr Łukaszewski behind the board, the
producer well known from band's previous recordings. The
album hit the market on 20th of September. Famous Polish
artist Jacek Wiśniewski once again took care of the
album artwork and layout. European limited edition of the
album contained also a bonus DVD featuring 30-minutes report
from the studio, 2 videoclips recorded during the session
and 3 video cuts recorded during Metalmania Festival 2003.
In October 2004 Metal Mind Production releases a DVD entitled "Night
Of The Apocalypse" containing three professionally shot
gigs (TV Studio Cracov, Metalmania 2003, opening show for
METALLICA), interviews and other extras. In the meantime
VADER succesfuly continues their blood crusade, taking part
in X-Mass 2004 (together with MARDUK, NAPALM DEATH, FINNTROLL,
BLACK DALHIA MURDER, BELPHEGOR). Unfortunately, due to serious
Peter's spinal injury caught in Scandinavia the band is forced
to cancel upcoming US tour, where they were supposed to play
with NAPALM DEATH and CANNIBAL CORPSE. That's the first cancelled
tour in band's entire career and hopefully, the last one.
In March 2005, after 17 years of cooperation VADER decide
to part ways with Doc and Daray officially joins the team
as its permanent member. The band also announces their new
record deal with Swedish Regain Records. Next touring season
VADER starts in April, embarking on KREATOR's "Enemy Of God
Tour 2005" in the US (alongside with DEATH ANGEL, IF HOPE
DIES). Right after the tour VADER attacks South America,
playing a headlining tour in such countries like Brazil,
Chile and Argentina. Five days after the South American assault
the band starts "The Sign Of The Beast" UK tour together
with LOST SOUL. Shortly after that trip Panzer Division VADER
enters Hertz Studio to record their new MCD entitled "The
Art Of War", scheduled for release in November 2005.
The MCD contains four new tracks, two intros & a video
for the track "This Is The War" (created in 3D digital systems).
On September VADER kicks off another massive invasion under "Blitzkrieg
3" code name. The tour schedule contains about 50 dates in
Europe (supported by LOST SOUL, ANOREXIA NERVOSA and ROTTING
CHRIST) and 30 dates in the US and Canada (together with
DECAPITATED and DEW-SCENTED).
From the beginning of 2006 VADER was preparing stuff for
the next studio album entitled "Impressions In Blood".
On April/ May the band once again entered Hertz Studio where
under Wiesławscy brothers supervision recorded 10 new
songs and a bonus track "Raining Blood" (which will be featured
on the Japanese edition exclusively). The whole design of
the album was prepared by Greek artist Seth (PARADISE LOST,
ROTTING CHRIST, OLD MAN'S CHILD). The band also recorded
a video-clip for "Helleluyah (God Is Dead)". Shortly after
the recording session VADER embarked on a prestigious US "Metal
Crusaders Tour 2006" alongside DESTRUCTION, KATAKLYSM and
others. On July the band will appear on a few summer festivals.
Short break and on the 17th of September VADER will kick
off a total invasion- over 90 gigs in Europe under a flag
of "Blitzkrieg 4" together with GOD DETHRONED, SEVERE TORTURE,
NIGHTRAGE, BLOODTHORN.
Year 2007 begun another concert spree for the band, starting
in February with an over 75-minute long show in Warsaw's
Stodola, where VADER was supported by ONSLAUGHT and SOLITUDE
AETURNUS (the show was shot for a future DVD release). In
March the band visited Japan and gave 3 well-received shows
alongside BRUTAL TRUTH and CRYPTOPSY. Also this month VADER
entered Hertz Studio to begin working on their special anniversary
album, crowning 25 years of the band's reign on the death
metal scene. The album will contain 25 tracks from classic
VADER releases such as "The Ultimate Incantation", "De Profundis", "Black
to the Blind" and "Litany", all re-recorded especially
for this anniversary compilation. During summer, VADER gave
30 live shows all across Europe, performing at such festivals
as Sundown Festival, Rock Hard Festival, Queens Of Metal
Open Air in Germany, Graspop MM Festival in Belgium, Hellfest
in France and the Peace and Love Festival in Sweden, with
additional shows in England, Finland and Holland. Soon after
they return, VADER opens their official MySpace and YouTube
accounts. Recently the band witnessed the premiere of their
brand new video for an exclusive track "Sword of the Witcher",
which will be promoting the video game "The Witcher" by
CD-Projekt RED/Atari. The video was shot at the castle in
Bolkow in August.
The band's future plans involve a 7-gig headlining tour -
Flaming Arts Festival 2007 - across Russia and Belorussia,
alongside KRISIUN, ROTTING CHRIST and INCANTATION. The same
line-up will later visit Poland for the second part of the
Blitzkrieg 4 Tour, covering 14 Polish cities. Also, in the
beginning of October, the band's new DVD - "...And Blood
Was Shed In Warsaw" (released through Metal Mind Productions)
will finally be available, offering 20 powerfully performed
live tracks and including a special guest appearance by Orion
(BEHEMOTH, VESANIA).
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