Like the first man on the moon, the first man to run the four minute mile or to break the land speed record. All pioneers, boundary pushers and regardless of those that have followed will always been the first, the ground breakers; and so it proves in music also. Poland has produced numerous quality Death Metal bands over the years, Behemoth, Decapitated, but the irrefutable kings are unquestionably Vader, flag barer's for the past 20 years.

The formula that Vader have worked to has been a familiar one, each album has had enough variations and subtle tweaks to keep the diehards happy and keep the music fresh, yet the signature that makes Vader what they are does not change. And so it proves with "The Art Of War". This four track EP introduces and provides the debut recording for new drummer Daray. Daray's addition to the band has provided a much needed shot in the arm and added another dimension to what was already a very competent outfit.

With such titles as "This Is War" and "Death In Silence", it should come as no surprise this conflict influenced EP is total brutality, both musically and lyrically. Piotr Wiwczarek's vocals are again not stereotypically Death Metal, but more akin to the Tom Araya approach to vocals. The Slayeresque similarities don't stop there, the duel guitar attack of Wiwczarek and Mauser have all the King and Hanneman trademarks, making "The Art Of War" a certain mosh pit favourite. "What Colour Is Your Blood" is the most instantly memorable song with a guitar hook guaranteed to have your head nodding in approval within seconds. With only five songs on offer the whole experience is over all to quickly, but it does serve as a tantalizing taste of what we can hopefully expect with their next full length release. All we can hope is the wait will not be a long one.