Vader - The Ultimate Incantation (1992)^{Release ID: 3714}

Vader were the first big death metal band from Poland but certainly not the last. Their clinical yet thrashy approach would be emulated by many over the years, but rarely bettered. Many have mentioned the Slayer influence below and that can be heard, but the full tilt drumming and death growls take this to a whole new level of brutality and into the realms of death metal. The other thing that Vader manage to achieve is a level of grace and epic atmosphere that can only occur when bands take what they do very seriously.

Doc's drumming is awesome throughout and China and Peter's riffs are consistently great as are Peter's brutal vocals. But to be honest, Vader haven't really changed all that much over the years. The production on their albums has become more and more clean and clinical, but the blueprint was formed right here on The Ultimate Incantation. Tracks such as Dark Age, The Crucified Ones, Final Massacre and Breath of Centuries are right up there with the bands best work. Basically, if you appreciate good, tight death metal without bells and whistles, then there's absolutely no doubt that The Ultimate Incantation will get you banging your head.

It's also worth mentioning that this album cover was done by the brilliant Dan Seagrave, although I have to say, it's not one of his better works.