Vader - The Beast (2004)

 

Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn. Formed in 1983, the group was founded by then-bassist Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek and guitarist Zbigniew "Vika" Wróblewski. Vader went through several lineup changes over the years, with Wiwczarek as the only constant member. Since 2011, the band has comprised Wiwczarek on guitars and vocals, guitarist Marek "Spider" Pająk, bassist Tomasz "Hal" Halicki, and British drummer James Stewart.

Starting as a heavy metal group, Vader eventually went to thrash, speed, and then in the late 1980s became a death metal band. It would not be until nine years after forming that they managed to release their debut album The Ultimate Incantation (1992). The band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, World War II, and horror.

The Beast was released on September 8, 2004 in Japan by Marquee/Avalon, September 20 in Poland via Metal Mind Productions, and a day later in Europe and the United States by Metal Blade Records.

The release was preceded by the single "Beware the Beast", which was released on August 25, 2004. Two music videos have been made for the songs "Dark Transmission" and "Choices", which were directed by Wojciech Głodek. Video clips were shot at RG Studio while recording the album. In Poland, The Beast landed at position No. 8, and dropped out five weeks later. The album also charted in Japan.

The album was recorded between May and June 2004 at RG Studio in Gdańsk, Poland, and was produced by Piotr Wiwczarek. The album was mastered by Jacek Gawłowski at JG Lab Studio in Warsaw, Poland. Originally, drum sessions took place at Hertz Studio in Białystok in February 2004 with drummer Krzysztof "Doc" Raczkowski, however, Raczkowski fell down a flight of stairs, causing arm and leg injuries. Because of the accident, the studio sessions was postponed. Ultimately, the band decided to hire Vesania drummer Dariusz "Daray" Brzozowski as a session musician.

Doc had recovered from an ankle injury and wanted to spend more time with his girlfriend and newborn son. He was replaced by Daray in 2005, the same year the group signed with Swedish label Regain Records. This new Vader line-up shared stage with Kreator in the US and played in South America and the UK as well. In summer, they recorded the EP The Art Of War at the Hertz Studio in Białystok, which inaugurated a new chapter in the history of the group musically, introducing a new logo as well, followed by more touring in Europe and North-America.

3984-14485-0  CD + DVD Digipak

 

 

 

-Tracklist:

CD 1. Intro     0:59
CD 2. Out Of The Deep     4:51
CD 3. Dark Transmission     4:09
CD 4. Firebringer     3:33
CD 5. The Sea Came In At Last     4:05
CD 6. I Shall Prevail     3:49
CD 7. The Zone     4:31
CD 8. Insomnia     3:27
CD 9. Apopheniac     4:12
CD-10. Choices     4:08

DVD 1   Studio Report
 
    Studio Video Clip:
DVD 2     Dark Transmission
DVD 3     Choices
   
    Live Video Clips:
     DVD 4     Epitaph
       DVD 5     The Nomad
 DVD 6     Wings.

 

-Line up: 

• Peter: Guitars, Vocals, Bass
• Mauser: Guitars
• Daray: Drums.

 

 

 

Doc was going to play the drums on this recording, but he broke his hand during this time.
Novy is credited on the album as a bassist, but the bass was in fact handled by Peter.

Recorded & mixed at RG Studio, Gdańsk, May/June 2004.
Mastered at JG Lab Studio, Warszawa, July 2004.

 DVD track 4, 5 and 6 Recorded at Metal Mania Festival 2003.

 Cover art & design by Jacek Wiśniewski.
 Bandphotos by Grzegorz Smoloński.

 

 

 

 

 

R.I.P.

Krzysztof Raczkowski ''Doc'' (29 October 1970 – 18 August 2005)