FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
On November 14, 2005, Vader released their EP, The Art of War via Regain Records in Europe, and Mystic Production in Poland.
The Japanese edition was released on November 23 2005 via Avalon Marquee, and contains the bonus track Die!!!! (Giń Psie). It was later released in the US on January 24, 2006 via Candlelight Records.
Background:
The Art of War was recorded in early 2005 at Hertz Studio in Białystok, Poland and was produced by Wojtek & Sławek Wiesławscy. The photo session was by Krzysztof "Sado" Sadowski, and it took place at Błędów Desert in Poland. A music video was shot for the song This Is the War which was produced and directed by Arkadiusz Jurcan. Screenshots from the video have been used as the EP's cover art, and layout. The EP is the first Vader release that features guitarist Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz as composer.
Para Bellum and Banners on the Wind are intros created by Krzysztof "Siegmar" Oloś from the Symphonic Black Metal band Vesania. It is dedicated to the former drummer of Vader, Krzysztof "Docent" Raczkowski, who died approximately three months before this EP's release.
Critical Reception:
The Art of War received good ratings upon its release, with blabbermouth.net giving the EP a score of 8/10, with Keith Bergman stating;
"The Art of War is another impressive outing from these Polish veterans, and it only cements their status as living legends of the scene, on what has to be a record-breaking winning streak, and as vital as they've ever been.”
Chronicles of Chaos gave it a score of 8/10 stars, while Jackie Smit wrote;
“…amidst what must have been a remarkably stressful and traumatic year for the band, given the untimely passing of former bandmate "Doc" Raczkowski, they should release some of the strongest material they've produced since De Profundis. Okay, so maybe this is only an EP, but the likes of This Is the War and Lead Us appear to be chock-full of exactly what the Polish quartet have been lacking for the past five years: convincing aggression and enough speed to knock the earth off its axis. This is classic Vader to be sure, and while it would be presumptuous to romanticise the motivation behind such a sudden surge of motivation as linked in some way to a desire to honour their fallen comrade's last memory, if 2006 can play host to a full-length of similar quality, then Vader's climb back on to the top of the mountain seems entirely certain. “
AllMusic gave The Art of War 3.5/5 stars with Alex Henderson stating;
“Back in 1986, the words "20th anniversary" probably never entered the minds of anyone in Vader. Poland was still under communism at the time, and Death Metal/Thrash Metal bands (rockers in general, for that matter) were viewed with suspicion by communist hardliners (although the glasnost program of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -- who had come to power in 1985 -- was starting to seriously change the political climate in Eastern Europe). But Poland -- like the rest of Eastern Europe -- turned capitalist, Vader developed an enthusiastic cult following, and the band reached the 20-year mark in 2006. Early 2006 saw the U.S. release of The Art of War, a 14-minute EP that breaks no new ground for the Death Metal/Thrash veterans but is still solid and well executed. Maintaining their strong Slayer influence, Vader continues to go for the jugular; bombast has always been a major tool in their arsenal, and that hasn't changed. But Vader -- in their own brutal, skull-crushing, mosh pit-loving way -- have a better sense of craftsmanship than many other death metallers. This Is the War, What Colour Is Your Blood?, and Death in Silence aren't just ultra-fast riffs played at maximum volume; they are songs that tell a story, albeit a dark, troubling one. And the fact that the lead vocals don't render the lyrics indecipherable is a definite plus. All that said, The Art of War falls short of essential; EPs seldom go down in history as truly essential. But obsessive Vader enthusiasts -- the folks who run out and buy their releases instinctively -- will find this to be a tasty little headbanger snack.”
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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