DECEMBER 11th, 2024
VADER & GUESTS
Review by Dmitry Sukhnin
Photos by Polina Kulikovskikh
Photo Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/vader/

How is it possible that despite Vader being a frequent visitor of Norway while touring, I haven’t seen them until this day? Despite going strong and being young, the main locomotive of the Polish extreme music scene, Vader have been around for some time. I remember in early 2008, right after they recorded their 25 year anniversary album, I had a chance to talk to Wojtek & Slawek Wieslawsky from Hertz Studio in Białystok, where XXV was recorded. From a professional point of view, Wojtek & Slawek were telling about different band challenges for their portfolio, but one thing I remember really clearly was what they said about Vader: Piotr Wiwczarek has a very recognizable vocals, and this is something that is really rare in the genre. And indeed you cannot compare Vader with anything else: this mix of low clean vocals on the edge of growls is something unique. These unique vocals and playing style would make Vader comfortable in both death and thrash company. For a band going strong for so long, - Vader literally do not have a single weak record since their debut in 1992, - it was surprising to see them performing in a smaller club. What is wrong with the listeners and this market? Is it because Vader have not compromised their style or used makeup with some other cunning tricks?

This time I was as central and close as it could be only possible, so one of my goals of checking equipment was fulfilled. Thirty minutes after doors open, UK’s Infested Angel from Birmingham were in. The band played as a duo. Infested Angel started with some guitar intro that desperately needed some alternative guitar effects that would make it sound milder. The drum kit (shared by all the bands) sounded like if not all the toms were mic-ed. In general, it had nice moments, and only after a few songs did I notice that the set had a back-track support. What I liked most were the vocals. Puma logo on the vocalist’s trousers hinted that Adidas and their cooperation with Korn finally has a rival.

Toxaemia used Bluguitar Iridium ultra-compact 100w amps that fit a pedalboard - a neat setting with both guitar players. A much better mix, though, guitars were a bit too thin, and Bluguitar’s reverb effect, unfortunately, does not cut through the mix. Quite a standard death metal act with good drums and tight performance.

Finally, it is time for Vader. The mic stand with an inverted cross was directed right into me. Earlier I read that Piotr is sick, so I was hoping that he will do well. Both Marek "Spider" Pająk and Peter use Fractal Audio pedal preamps (AX8?) and Mission Engineering expression pedals, - this allows having close to no hurdles with the sound: basically, the sound is always the same and very controlled. Despite the small stage of John Dee, Vader had a very decent lights’ setting.

They play effortlessly and their sound is flawless. Ultra fast and tons of groove at the same time. Michał Andrzejczyk, the newest member on drums, is a beast. I particularly enjoyed Peter’s solos, - they are also very particular style for the band - extra fast tapping with wah effect and a tremolo all on high speed, all at once. Both Peter and Marek use only two channels - rhythm and lead, where lead has a very audible boost helping to stand out in the mix. Simple and functional. One song saw Marek and Tomasz (Halickim, bass) changing places, and Tomasz was pressing the effect buttons on Marek’s stomp. The band was out after Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead), and the encore saw Wings (someone played a wrong fret in the very beginning, - yay, they are actually humans!) and Cold Demons, 13 songs in total. A bit short of an hour, I understood that the band had to cut it short because of Peter’s flu, but the performance was absolutely superb and showed no signs of any issues.  I want to hear them on a much bigger stage which they certainly deserve.