Which of the Polish death metal bands do you think is the best? Personally, I'm stuck between Behemoth and Hate, they're both very consistent in their releases. I lean more towards Hate, though.

IDK, maybe Vader.

Vader are the only band I like. Not familiar with Hate so I won't speak for them, but Behemoth are just too blast beat-oriented and over-produced for my taste. They are okay but nothing I would ever buy a CD of, and Decapitated only really have one good album in my opinion, "Winds of Creation", after which they became very hit-or-miss with some albums being okay ("The Negation") and others being unlistenable ("Nihility"). Vader is the only band that really blows me away of the bunch. I'm sure there are some lesser known old school Polish bands that are good too, but other than Kingdom of the Lie I can't really think of any.

Vader are still surging forth with full strength, and they already have a fully-stocked catalogue of great albums behind them. To me they're definitely the best right now.

Vader I think. I like Behemoth too, but I just prefer Vader.

hmm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpXOq-X8SgQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb-osXAFPQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp-rVgy5ffI
there ya go

I'll play along. Like some who have already said - Vader. Apart from them being one of my favorite bands, I feel their stuff from mid 90s to early 2000s is just super. Best death metal to be released at that time, not just in Poland but the world over. 'Litany' is fuckin' crushing! I've heard of Hate and I think they're okay but nothing compared to the masters, Vader!

Execution, the best pokémon porno death metal in the world.

Behemoth is also one of my favourite death metal bands whats out there, but its a shame that rarely anyone mentions Azarath, which is weird because it has Inferno from Behemoth, hes founder and writes songs in that band. Maybe best blackened death metal band ive ever listened. You guys should check out that.

Probably Lost Soul, but too many Polish Death Metal bands sound similar, and I'm less keen on those weak shouty vocals they seem to prefer - basically all ripping off Vader.

A lot of Vader is boring to me. Litany's pretty good though.

Maybe Hate, not sure.

This. Not just in Poland, but internationally they're just one of the go-to bands of death metal. No matter what kind of death metal you're into, you're almost certain to like Vader. Their consistency is something matched only by a few notable bands like Bolt Thrower and Grave.

Wow, a lot of indecision for such a thriving scene. Vader are a long-time favourite, been listening to them for what seems like forever. Decapitated I am not interested in. However, the best rec I had for the Polish death metal scene was Trauma. Anyone interested in brutal, technically accomplished (but not widdly-weedily-wanky) death metal needs these guys. Really irresistible stuff. If you have even the slightest interest in death metal (like you just bought the latest Cannibal Corpse 'cause you saw the review in Kerrang or Metal Hammer) then you can enjoy this, and for veterans it's just a huge treat. Massively recommended. Lost Soul are also very tight, Immerse In infinity is a great album. The new Hate is also pretty damn decent and is sure to earn them lots of attention this year.

That's pure death metal for you. But moving toward slightly more blackened realms, I must say Azarath's latest album might just make them Poland's most important export alongside Mgla. Utterly fantastic. Voidhanger is also worth a look if you fancy a more blackened-up thrashing approach, and I'm sure most are aware of their "parent band" Infernal War who are like a Polish Impiety or Blasphemophagher.

Vader is pretty damn amazing. Solid discography, catchy tunes, and crush live.
Behemoth is cool too, and I've only heard one Hate song before, so I'll have to check them out later. What's the best place to start with?

Sceptic
Decapitated
Vader

Litany has unbearable dance bass drums. All I can hear is thud tuud thud. Its the worst thing ever. The rerecording of it seems cool though.

Edit: So as to contribute, Winds of Creation is the best Polish album, but otherwise Decrapitated are completely awful.

As for something a little different to he stuff mentioned so far, Embrional are a really good Immolation-but-smoother styled band with a couple of pretty darn solid albums out.

Edit 2: Azarath is boring, very boring.

Definitely Hazael. Magnus, Legion, and Golgotha are all worthy contenders too. There's one more whose album cover I remember vividly but I can't remember their name... Agony or something. I'll have to dig through the internet and find it.

I've seen Vader live too, it was glorious.

Decapitated is some good tech-death for sure, but I prefer Behemoth's riffs and grander schematics. It's definitely higher-class death metal (as in publicity, production, etc) and kind of in the league of Nile. I do like that though, so Behemoth would be my favorite. Although Vader is like an old friend, I always know what to expect and it's always a good listen

Ha, that's the first criticism the album always gets. It's more pronounced in 'Wings' and 'Final Massacre'. I don't quite mind it though and it's still a classic in my books.

When people speak of Decapitated, I think Sauron was such an essential member of the band. Sure they had some decent stuff after he left, but what he did for the band is inimitable. And speaking of Sauron, he has his other band called 'Masachist'. Pretty standard death metal though. I prefer their first album to the one they released recently.

Vader and Behemoth would be my top two choices.

Vader used to be great, now they are no longer inspired Death Metal act. From "Litany" upwards they tend to repeat themselves and release a ton of completely useless bullshit (vide "Blood", "Lead Us!", "Art of War" etc.).
Behemoth is a decent and pretty technical Nile-meets-Morbid Angel ripoff, but way too overproduced. Also I fucking hate all this rockstar attitude and Nergal pretending to be a celebrity. Definitely preferred their Black Metal days.
Hate used to be good when they wanted to be Deicide. Now they want to be Behemoth a little bit too much.
Everyone forgets how great Yattering used to be.
My personal favorites are rather more obscure and underground hordes, like Throneum, Anima Damnata, Exhalation, Offence, Infatuation of Death, The Dead Goats, Ulcer, Damnable, Conquest Icon, Symbolic Immortality, Death Sea, Stillborn, DDT, Mortal Slaughter etc.
If you're into that type of thing you can also check out my Death/Doom Metal act Exmortum.

Because it's utterly unbearable. It's probably the single production based screw up that I'm aware of.

I don't know if it's a production based "screw up". Quite well intended if a band decided to make that big a major decision. The album is still rated highly by many. Anyway, I tried to find some info on the band's decision to include that drum sound but not much apart from a comment where someone claims that Doc (the drummer) was into electronic music back then. So he decided to experiment with that sound for the record.

Vader is definetely the best to me,
Hate's earlier stuff, the new album is just a Behemoth ripoff
Decapitated- I only liked their first album, but didnt like the Incantation type vocals.
behemoth- I used to like them, but they just have a generic feel to them now.

Silly topic, Vader of course.
How's this for a topic: Best Polish non death metal band that isn't Kat?

I'll cast another vote for Vader. Such a great band. But if I had to vote for a band that isn't Vader, I'd probably go with Yattering.

There so many other good Polish death metal bands. What about Mass Insanity? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LODmlx5Vm0

I'm a huge fan of Vader, but I've not listened to all of their material yet, owing to how recently I realised I was a huge fan.

Following the "if the tone sound like power-tools, then it'll be good" heuristic, Vader's sound really appeals to me. The band seem so overtly to be a powerhouse energy and thundering riffs, compared to many bands I've listened to. Hugely energetic drumming, and bursting with riffs which bludgeon, in the best possible way. The vocals sound like they could level a building. The thrash influences are also a major selling point - they make the music more chunky, abrasive and dynamic than a lot of the bands out there.

I'm going to listen to some of the other bands mentioned here - Hate, especially, seemed good. I've never listened to them before now. Does Polish death metal have a sound, or are the bands very arbitrarily influenced?

Vader is very slayer/american death metal influenced, as Hate is very Deicide influenced(you could almost mistake the early albums for early Deicide albums). Id also recommend God Dethroned, Sinister, and Legion of the Damned.

No idea what those Dutch bands have to do with Polish Death Metal, hehe.

The king can be only one.

IMPERATOR.

lol no, not their last 4 albums, no Deicide to be found whatsoever.

I would say Vader. Their last album proved that they are still capable of producing some of the finest music in the genre. Granted, I really really dislike Behemoth, and I'm not to familar with Hate (What I heard I found to be quite pedestrian and tame)

Several Polish black metal bands have had a consistently numerous following over the years, Graveland being the most painfully obvious example.

I'm a huge fan of Vader, but I've not listened to all of their material yet, owing to how recently I realised I was a huge fan.

Following the "if the tone sound like power-tools, then it'll be good" heuristic, Vader's sound really appeals to me. The band seem so overtly to be a powerhouse energy and thundering riffs, compared to many bands I've listened to. Hugely energetic drumming, and bursting with riffs which bludgeon, in the best possible way. The vocals sound like they could level a building. The thrash influences are also a major selling point - they make the music more chunky, abrasive and dynamic than a lot of the bands out there.

I'm going to listen to some of the other bands mentioned here - Hate, especially, seemed good. I've never listened to them before now. Does Polish death metal have a sound, or are the bands very arbitrarily influenced?[/quote]

Vader is very slayer/american death metal influenced, as Hate is very Deicide influenced(you could almost mistake the early albums for early Deicide albums). Id also recommend God Dethroned, Sinister, and Legion of the Damned.[/quote]
lol no, not their last 4 albums, no Deicide to be found whatsoever.[/quote]

I was referring to the early albums. I mentioned the Dutch bands, since it sounds like something he'd like.

Overall I think Poland's black metal-scene is stronger, but when it comes to death metal it's Vader all the way, by far.

Most definitely Azarath, especially with their last album...likewise Lost Soul and Mgla.

edit: whoops, Death metal...Lost Soul and Vader then.

can't really go past vader
antigama are interesting but they're more grindcore

Decapitated.

Vader and then Dies Irae

Monastyr... Easily, Never Dreaming is a monster.

Vader second just for The Ultimate Incantation alone.