
LABEL:      Regain
Records / Suburban
WEBSITE:  www.vader.pl
MUSIC:     MySpace
VIDEO:     Helleluyah
Video
               Sword
Of The Witcher Video
AGENT:     Joost
Kamp
BIOGRAPHY:
There are very few bands that have managed to weave a web of mystery around
them. Very few have survived and kept going strong until today. When faced
with the question 'which' people tend to mention American death-mongers
with the likes of MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE or CANNIBAL CORPSE ... However,
for a few years now in the same breath many have named VADER - perhaps
the only band from Europe which has sustained it´s status for a
number of years. Theirs is the cult of musical brutality and the urge
to succeed. Few may remember that VADER were the first band ever from
behind "the Iron Curtain" to sign to a Western label while their
1990 demo "Morbid Reich" is still considered to be the best
selling demo tape in the history of death metal.
VADER formed in 1986. In 1993 they released their debut album titled "The
Ultimate Incantation" (Earache) which has since become one of the
milestones of European death metal. These were also the first brutal sounds
from behind "the Iron Curtain" which reached the audiences all
over the world. Promoting the album VADER introduced themselves to the
Western world by undertaking a forty-date European tour with label mates
BOLT THROWER and Swedish deathsters GRAVE. Another, thirty-plus date tour
with DEICIDE, SUFFOCATION, and DISMEMBER invaded American continent in
May and June of the same year. Communication breakdown with their label
led to the termination of the contract with Earache and the 1994 release
of two then-underestimated albums: "Sothis" (Repulse) and "The
Darkest Age - Live '93" (Baron). The band also led a hectic live
life touring with MALEVOLENT CREATION and OPPRESSOR to name just a few.
Without a recording contract and with death metal losing popularity the
world over, VADER continued to work hard against all odds. The 1995 contract
with German System Shock/Impact Records allowed them to develop further.
The success of three subsequent outings: "De Profundis" (1995),
"Future of the Past" (1996), and "Black to the Blind"
(1997) backed with super-intense shows activity (more than 350 concerts
within 3 years!) slowly but surely contributed to the band's growing profile
and increasingly enthusiastic press coverage. VADER stopped being perceived
as a mere curiosity from a former Communist country and became one of
the leading European death metal bands. In the meantime, Hammerheart Records
re-released two early demos - "Necrolust" (1989) and "Morbid
Reich" (1990) - as "Reborn in Chaos".
1998 proved to be a breaking point for the band. In August VADER joined
an exclusive circle of metal artists who recorded and released a "Live
in Japan" (System Shock/Impact) album. Before it came out in December,
the band also recorded a new mini "Kingdom" (System Shock/Impact)
and their first professional VHS video titled "Vision and Voice"
(Metal Mind). Also, in October this year VADER opened for SLAYER during
their one-off stop in Poland. The end of 1998 marked the inking of the
contract with one of the most respected and genre-defining metal labels
in the world - Metal Blade.
In March 1999 VADER played their first headlining American tour - "International
Extreme Music Festival '99" - which featured the line-up of GORGUTS,
CRYPTOPSY, NILE, DIVINE EVE and several others. In May the band played
at METALMANIA - the biggest Polish festival, with the likes of GRIP INC.,
SAMAEL and ANATHEMA. June marked yet another European trek with SIX FEET
UNDER, ENSLAVED, CRYPTOPSY, THYRFING and NILE while the rest of the summer
season was filled with numerous appearances at festivals in Germany, Belgium,
Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland and the season-concluding opening
slot during the Polish leg of TESTAMENT's European tour. In November and
December 1999 the band disappeared in the Red Studio to record a brand
new album titled "Litany" which was released in March. The album
comprises over 30 minutes of fast-paced and uncompromising death metal.
The release of the album was once again backed with intense live activity,
including April's "No Mercy Festivals 2000" with DEICIDE, IMMORTAL,
MARDUK, and CANNIBAL CORPSE. In June VADER embarked on a 30-date European
tour with VITAL REMAINS, FLESHCRAWL, and THE CROWN.
In the meantime, between July and October, the band recorded in the Red
Studio a new MCD entitled "Reign Forever World" which was subsequently
released in April 2001, featuring new cuts, cover versions and live tracks.
As usual, the promotion was based on intensive touring, this time including
numerous festivals, a Polish tour, and a Russian-Ukrainian tour as well
as the band's fifth, and the second as a headliner, trek to the United
States. The latter's bill also featured CRYPTOPSY, DEEDS OF FLESH, DYING
FETUS and CEPHALIC CARNAGE. September 2001 saw another European tour with
CRYPTOPSY, DYING FETUS, CATASTROPHIC, and several other bands. This was
followed by 10 Polish appearances as part of the Thrash'em All Festival
2001 together with KRISIUN, BEHEMOTH and the cream of the Polish death
and black scene.
In February 2002 VADER proceeded to record their new studio album, tentatively
scheduled for release on the 3rd of June, 2002. "Revelations"
has been again recorded in the Red Studio while the board duties were
handled by Piotr Lukaszewski. The album also features the new bass-player
Simon who replaced Shambo. Still before the album's premiere, VADER are
supporting the release with live dates in England, Scotland and Ireland
(March 2002), during the No Mercy Festivals dates (April 2002) and a 10-date
Polish tour in June. May will also see the release of the band's first
DVD entitled "More Vision and the Voice" which will comprise
the material from the "Vision and the Voice" VHS video, a number
of video-clips, live footage, an interview with Peter, and a wealth of
multimedia material.
The newest studio album "Revelations" was very intensively promoted
for almost 1,5 years. There were many festivals in summer 2002, since
30th of August European tour with KRISIUN, DECAPITATED and PREJUDICE.
In November 30 concerts in USA with IMMOLATION, THE BERZERKER and ORIGIN.
Before their flight to USA they stayed in Japan for 5 days and played
next concerts. Already in December, first in band's history tournee in
Brazil. The new year 2003 started on concerts in France in February and
in April another European tour with DERANGED, ARKON INFAUSTUS and ARISE.
Before it, prestigious festival in Poland - Metalmania Festival 2003 with
SAXON, SAMAEL, OPETH, MARDUK, MAYHEM and also 2 festivals in Scandinavia-
Inferno Metal Festival and Motala Festival. In June first visit in Israel
(1000 people in concert!) and summer festivals Wacken Open Air, Party
San, Nuclear Storm and the biggest Polish festival Przystanek Woodstock,
where VADER was seen by 400.000 maniacs!!! Between concerts VADER found
some time on recording new MCD "Blood" and taken place the fundamental
change of bass player in band. The new musician became Novy (ex-BEHEMOTH).
The release of new MCD is scheduled on the 25th of September. In September
VADER are setting off on a Polish tour (17 concerts) with DECAPITATED,
FRONTSIDE and VESANIA. In October they take part in Art Of Noise Part
2 with NILE, KREATOR, AMON AMARTH in USA. And then the band is setting
to work on the new studio album, which is expected in spring 2004.
Year 2004 means time for band's new studio album "The Beast"
and extensive promotional campaign including over 170 gigs! Recording
session of band's new album was interrupted and postponed on May/ June
due to unfortunate Doc's (drums) accident. He was replaced by a very talented
drummer Daray (from Polish band VESANIA). New VADER' live season kicked
off with a small tour through Czech Republic/ Slovakia and Eastern countries
like Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, The Ukraine and Belarus, 25 gigs
in total. From the 1st of April VADER continues European crusades, invading
countries like Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, England, France, Italy,
Austria to name a few, simultaneously proceeding recordings of "The
Beast". Very important part of that tour were band's first trip to
Balkans (Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia and Croatia) and
Scandinavian tournee consisted of 14 gigs! On the second half of 2004
VADER is going to play another tour through Poland "Blitzkrieg 2"
(17 gigs), US tour along with CANNIBAL CORPSE and NAPALM DEATH (October/
November) and participate in December X-Mass Festivals. Nevertheless the
most important gig of 2004 VADER played at Silesian Stadium, Chorzów
where the band opened for METALLICA in front of 50 000 people.
The Beast recordings were finished in mid-July at RG Studio (Poland) with
Piotr Lukaszewski behind the board, the producer well known from band's
previous recordings. The album hit the market on 20th of September. Famous
Polish artist Jacek Wisniewski once again took care of the album artwork
and layout. European limited edition of the album contained also a bonus
DVD featuring 30-minutes report from the studio, 2 videoclips recorded
during the session and 3 video cuts recorded during Metalmania Festival
2003. In October 2004 Metal Mind Production releases a DVD entitled "Night
Of The Apocalypse" containing three professionally shot gigs (TV
Studio Cracov, Metalmania 2003, opening show for METALLICA), interviews
and other extras. In the meantime VADER succesfuly continues their blood
crusade, taking part in X-Mass 2004 (together with MARDUK, NAPALM DEATH,
FINNTROLL, BLACK DALHIA MURDER, BELPHEGOR). Unfortunately, due to serious
Peter's spinal injury caught in Scandinavia the band is forced to cancel
upcoming US tour, where they were supposed to play with NAPALM DEATH and
CANNIBAL CORPSE. That's the first cancelled tour in band's entire career
and hopefully, the last one.
In March 2005, after 17 years of cooperation VADER decide to part ways
with Doc and Daray officially joins the team as its permanent member.
The band also announces their new record deal with Swedish Regain Records.
Next touring season VADER starts in April, embarking on KREATOR's "Enemy
Of God Tour 2005" in the US (alongside with DEATH ANGEL, IF HOPE
DIES). Right after the tour VADER attacks South America, playing a headlining
tour in such countries like Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Five days after
the South American assault the band starts "The Sign Of The Beast"
UK tour together with LOST SOUL. Shortly after that trip Panzer Division
VADER enters Hertz Studio to record their new MCD entitled "The Art
Of War", scheduled for release in November 2005. The MCD contains
four new tracks, two intros & a video for the track "This Is
The War" (created in 3D digital systems). On September VADER kicks
off another massive invasion under "Blitzkrieg 3" code name.
The tour schedule contains about 50 dates in Europe (supported by LOST
SOUL, ANOREXIA NERVOSA and ROTTING CHRIST) and 30 dates in the US and
Canada (together with DECAPITATED and DEW-SCENTED).
From the beginning of 2006 VADER was preparing stuff for the next studio
album entitled "Impressions In Blood". On April/ May the band
once again entered Hertz Studio where under Wieslawscy brothers supervision
recorded 10 new songs and a bonus track "Raining Blood" (which
will be featured on the Japanese edition exclusively). The whole design
of the album was prepared by Greek artist Seth (PARADISE LOST, ROTTING
CHRIST, OLD MAN'S CHILD). The band also recorded a video-clip for "Helleluyah
(God Is Dead)". Shortly after the recording session VADER embarked
on a prestigious US "Metal Crusaders Tour 2006" alongside DESTRUCTION,
KATAKLYSM and others. On July the band will appear on a few summer festivals.
Short break and on the 17th of September VADER will kick off a total invasion-
over 90 gigs in Europe under a flag of "Blitzkrieg 4" together
with GOD DETHRONED, SEVERE TORTURE, NIGHTRAGE, BLOODTHORN.
Year 2007 begun another concert spree for the band, starting in February
with an over 75-minute long show in Warsaw's Stodola, where VADER was
supported by ONSLAUGHT and SOLITUDE AETURNUS (the show was shot for a
future DVD release). In March the band visited Japan and gave 3 well-received
shows alongside BRUTAL TRUTH and CRYPTOPSY. Also this month VADER entered
Hertz Studio to begin working on their special anniversary album, crowning
25 years of the band's reign on the death metal scene. The album will
contain 25 tracks from classic VADER releases such as "The Ultimate
Incantation", "De Profundis", "Black to the Blind"
and "Litany", all re-recorded especially for this anniversary
compilation. During summer, VADER gave 30 live shows all across Europe,
performing at such festivals as Sundown Festival, Rock Hard Festival,
Queens Of Metal Open Air in Germany, Graspop MM Festival in Belgium, Hellfest
in France and the Peace and Love Festival in Sweden, with additional shows
in England, Finland and Holland. Soon after they return, VADER opens their
official MySpace and YouTube accounts. Recently the band witnessed the
premiere of their brand new video for an exclusive track "Sword of
the Witcher", which will be promoting the video game "The Witcher"
by CD-Projekt RED/Atari. The video was shot at the castle in Bolkow in
August.
The band's future plans involve a 7-gig headlining tour - Flaming Arts
Festival 2007 - across Russia and Belorussia, alongside KRISIUN, ROTTING
CHRIST and INCANTATION. The same line-up will later visit Poland for the
second part of the Blitzkrieg 4 Tour, covering 14 Polish cities. Also,
in the beginning of October, the band's new DVD - "...And Blood Was
Shed In Warsaw" (released through Metal Mind Productions) will finally
be available, offering 20 powerfully performed live tracks and including
a special guest appearance by Orion (BEHEMOTH, VESANIA).
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