Lead Us!!!

Expectations are always high when a band has a string of good releases and the fans are eagerly awaiting their band’s next release. After a pretty good release last year (Impressions In Blood) which was highly praised by both fans and critics alike the band released a new EP titled, “Lead Us!!!” earlier this year.

Vader is that kind of band whose music revolves much around the formula of fewer variations in a song. Pretty much the entire song is same except for a few breakdowns and little solos in between. Remove those parts and it seems as if they are playing the same thing over and over again through the track.

The first track in here is “Lead Us” and in true Vader style starts off with a drums and faced paced riffs that are the base of the song. Adrenaline pumping and catchy since the breakdown there comes Vader’s signature style of sudden breakdowns that usually embrace the best riffs of the track and highlights of the album. Such is the case here as well. The vocals are as good as before; the same extreme thrash with death elements kind of vocals.

The next track here is from their previous studio album “Impressions In Blood” and was one of the best tracks in that album. Pretty much similar to the last track in structure a breakdown followed by killer riffs follow after the intro. This breakdown is the highlight of this EP.

The next track is entitled “Die!!”. Starting off with a smooth symphonic intro this track becomes the weakest track present in this EP mainly because of too much wankery on the drums. The vocals seem out of place and sort of forced. Nothing works here right from the bass to the guitars and till the vocals. The band simply loses what they managed to do in both of the tracks mentioned above. Also as I said there are no signature breakdowns or solos in between and because the band follows the formula of almost no variations this track just seems to keep on repeating the same thing again and again.

The last track here is a cover and it’s one of thrash metal most iconic songs… Raining Blood. I personally like the cover more than the original because the band removed all the special effects (which seemed out of place) and the solos (which ruined the track). The tracks starts straight from the riff, Slayer is so famous for and the band Vader certainly lacks no aggression or power here.

The thing that baffles me is why they released this EP in the first place. There are no new tracks here at all, not even a remake or remaster, but the exact same tracks as from their previous releases. Track numbers 2 and 4 are taken from their previous studio album that was released last year and the remaining tracks are from, “The Art Of War EP” which was released 3 year back.

So, there you have it, two good tracks, one weak track and one better-then-the-original cover. Slightly disappointing but if more tracks like “Lead Us” and a lesser amount of tracks like “Die” are present on the next album then fans have nothing to worry about. But sadly if it’s the other way around then the next album may well be one of the band’s weakest attempts. I would give this EP a 75 if it was new but as there is not a single track new here I thinking giving half of that is justified.