What makes The Empire by Vader notable?

The Empire received positive reviews from various metal publications, solidifying Vader's reputation as a cornerstone of the death metal genre. It debuted at number 24 on the Polish chart and was well-received for its technical proficiency and ferocity, contributing to the band's enduring legacy in heavy music. Released on November 4, 2016, The Empire is Vader's tenth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, Tibi et Igni, from 2014. This release marks a continuation of their established sound while demonstrating their ability to evolve within the death metal genre, as they maintained a consistent presence in the global metal scene for over three decades.

Who is The Empire for?

The Empire works well if you're into relentless energy throughout listening, short bursts of aggression and headbanging anthems for workouts.

How many songs are on The Empire?

The Empire has 10 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

The Empire

Vader · 2016

33 min · 10 tracks · death metal

A relentless barrage of fast riffs and guttural vocals, embodying the raw intensity of death metal's most aggressive elements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Prayer to the God of War — This track exemplifies Vader's signature blend of aggression and melody with an anthemic chorus that showcases their lyrical themes of battle and conflict.
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No Gravity — With its intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts, this song encapsulates the band's ability to balance brutality with musicality, making it a standout piece.
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Angels of Steel — Opening the album with relentless energy, this track sets the tone for The Empire by blending speed and technical precision that defines Vader’s style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album maintains a relentless pace with technical proficiency, appealing to death metal fans while offering moments of melody.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent tempo that rarely drops below fast-paced, with tracks averaging around three to four minutes each.
Several tracks incorporate melodic elements within the heavy instrumentation, creating contrast without losing intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

relentless energy throughout listening
short bursts of aggression
headbanging anthems for workouts
steady intensity from start to

Maybe skip if you

prefer melodic or soft sounds
seek lengthy atmospheric pieces

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on November 4, 2016, The Empire is Vader's tenth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, Tibi et Igni, from 2014. This release marks a continuation of their established sound while demonstrating their ability to evolve within the death metal genre, as they maintained a consistent presence in the global metal scene for over three decades.
Stylistic neighbors: Behemoth· Decapitated· Cryptopsy