Vader Humanihility EP Review

Vader

Humanihility

Nuclear Blast Records

Long standing death metal heathens Vader need no introduction. For over 40 years (these dudes formed in 1983!), this Polish band of bruisers are not only extreme metal’s longest standing European act, but they have been combining the best elements of old school 90’s death and late 80’s thrash for combustible and ferocious results. If you are a fan of the band and have been left longing for new material since their 12th studio effort, Solitude in Madness, your wait is finally over. May 30th, 2025 marked the release of the new 3 song Rager I am now pummeling my ears with, in Humanihility. 

Vader have several classic albums under their belts (The Ultimate Incantation, De Profundis, Litany, Black to the Blind, etc.) and this EP is no different. The songs here blend neck break tempos with Vader’s tried and true death/thrash with an excellent production once again courtesy of Scott Adkins at Grindstone Studios UK. The guitar tones are bottom heavy and carry a nice trebly bite with some perfectly placed mid-range. The drums are tight and punchy and never sound overly processed and sampled, and the vocals and bass are more than audible and stand out in the mix. The sounds may be typical Vader, but they benefit greatly from this somewhat modern and well-rounded recording.

As for the songs, they’re all three great, and way too brief. Opener “Genocide Designed” goes for the throat immediately with a barrage of churning down tuned guitars weaving into lightning speed drums and a memorable gang shouted chorus refrain and some shreddy melodic leads between each passage. The ending breakdown gives way to yet another slight riff change and then ends abruptly. This song alone makes me feel sympathy for the drummer’s hands/feet and the guitarists’ wrists and forearms. Just brutal and fast with plenty of anger.

Returning to the fold, guitarist/vocalist Peter is joined by the returning Mauser (guitars), longtime guitarist Spider and new members Michael (drums) and Hal (bass). What makes this EP even more interesting is that each song was written in full by different band members this time, so everyone was able to bring their personal touches to the record. 

Vader are simply doing what they do best with Humanihility, and that is crank out some of the tightest, heaviest thrash insanity with more than a few deathly passages, and we are all the better for it. If I can't convince you, try to check out the closing track “Unbending” and its mid-paced stomp without headbanging mercilessly. I promise you can't…

~TB