Review by Felix on December 7, 2019.

Something went wrong in the career of Grabak (if we want to use the big word “career” at all). Their perfect second album still waits for a comparatively good successor. The malignancy and intensity of Encyclopedia Infernalis have remained untouched – not to mention its majestic enormity. Bloodline Divine, the release from 2017, also has no chance to cast down the once-in-a-lifetime work from its throne. Nevertheless, the album embraces the listener violently and it cannot be blamed for a general lack of strength.

Grabak have not changed their song-writing formula. Bloodline Divine offers exactly the approach of Sin or Agash Daeva. And here we are at the point why the album is not on a par with the immaculate full-length from 2001. All these works have many hammering hyper-speed parts, they shine with an enormous degree of brutality and they deliver a fine soundtrack for the funeral of the overdosed techno maniac next door you loved to hate. Yet the great, monumental melodies are missing, and the atmosphere is black, but still not black enough (sorry for using the words of the old poser called B. Lawless). Grabak lay the foundation for a demonic cathedral, they create a very robust building and it weathers all storms. But where is the last iota of architectural brilliance? The melodic elements that show up during the less brute sections do not score with compositional excellence. Some of them remain pale and so they are not able to deliver an interesting contrast.

But perhaps I am just expecting too much when it comes to Grabak. Their 100%-album is both blessing and curse. The only band with two perfect long-players is Slayer – and these works seem to originate from another life (I was young, had long hairs and no back pain). So, let’s say it unmistakably: songs like “Corpsebridge”, “Seelensammler” or the title track breathe, spit, ooze and emanate black metal in its pure form and they do it in a competent manner. Honestly speaking, I could have mentioned the other pieces as well. However, sometimes the whole is more than the sum of its parts – and vice versa. Grabak cannot prevent a slightly stale feeling of uniformity. Even though each and every track hits the mark, the album does not reach the 90+X% area. I am not quite sure whether or not it’s a lack of compactness, a lack of diversity or a lack of catchiness (or all together), but one thing is certain: I cannot suppress the feeling they have a bigger potential than they show on Bloodline Divine.

What is left to say? The powerful production has an adequate depth, the vocals convey a proper quantum of diabolical vibes and any kind of lukewarm or soft tendencies does not show up. Grabak now have released six albums, five good one and a perfect one. Bloodline Divine belongs to the first group.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Chris Pratl on September 13, 2017.

Some things in metal music are pretty much expected and accepted standard these days: the music is loud, the music is fast, the music will invariably piss off your family and assorted religious groups, and Vader will always deliver a right cross to the throat in the most simplistic form possible. Tibi Et Igni is, of course, no exception to this coveted rule. This now becomes a question of why Vader can seemingly do no wrong, and the answer is because the band is just that brilliant. 

What can be said about Vader that isn't evident in the long and epic career they have? Poland's pride delivers yet another 40-minute slab of death metal with all of the tempestuousness and volatility you'd come to appreciate from them. The opener, "Go to Hell" pretty much sets the stage for what is to come, and not a single second of it is less than Vader's standards. Peter's vocals are some of the best of the genre, with that familiar friend growling and barking horror over raucous, lightninng-fast riffs straight from Hell. What has impressed me about Vader since 1992 is how the band manages to create some of the finest death metal music this side of the Florida keys without giving way to over-production or boring, repetitive nonsense for the sake of a legendary name. Much like fellow DM legends Master, Vader follows a formula befitting the lineage of pride the band has behind it.

"Triumph of Death" is one of the single best tracks I've heard the band do in a decade, and with as much as I hail pretty much everything they've ever done that speaks volumes for me. Its catchy and very "metal" chant of "to the grave...to the grave...still marching on!" can very well be the extreme version of Judas Priest with all of its stylish bravado that is perfectly devoid of pretension and infringement on past ideas. I will go as far as to say this is the best Vader album in the last ten years, even edging out Welcome to the Morbid Reich by the slimmest of hairs; it's simply amazing from start to finish. There are, of course, those that would say that Vader's sound is stagnant, that the band doesn't go anywhere new or "take chances" with its music. I dare to say that Vader takes a chance each and every time a new CD is released; by not acclimating to the Hot Topic crowd as one of our Los Angeles-area bands has seen fit to do over the last decade-plus they walk out on there on that ledge and keep the product familiar, yet widely innovative and interesting. I can't ever accuse Vader of being dull or "samey" in its output. The familiarity that is the band's signature sound in the vocals and the guitar tone is hardly a recipe for hum-drum complacency.

With every caustic shredding opportunity that presents itself in tracks like "Hexenkessel" or "Abandon All Hope," which is also about as close to black metal as the band gets without crossing that ever-thickening line. By all accounts, this is the most evil and lyrically dark record I've heard this year, and upon each added listen it gets more evocative and sinister, and that guitar tone is just as dim and overpowering as it's always been. Even when "The Eye of the Abyss" begins with its serene, symphonic Phantom of the Opera music you know the bombastic delivery isn't far away; what I can only call the best power metal effort I've heard in the last 20-years gets summarily decimated under the heavy boots of brutality and angry chord changes in what might well be the band's "slow" track on the album. It doesn't come much better than this, folks. Seriously. 

Vader never fails to influence, impress and engulf me, and I cannot recommend Tibi Et Igni enough. Buy this yesterday and become one with the flames sure to spill over you as you find the most vivid visions of the underworld that you'll ever hope to see while still upright and lucid.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 

(Originally written for www.metalpsalter.com)

Review by Krys on July 8, 2014.

At this point I don't think Vader needs any introductions. For almost 30 years Peter and Co. have consistently put out quality material with unmistakable sound that can only be described as 'Vader sound', and since they very rarely strayed from their path, saying that Tibi Et Igni is a very good, high caliber 'Vader album' should be more than enough to describe current release. But wait, there's more.

I truly believe that new album is well above any material that Vader has released in a while. Maybe it's because the current lineup has been together for at least couple of years, or maybe Peter finally let other members chime in into creation process, but Tibi At Igni is fresh, vibrant and firing on all cylinders. Starting with opening 'Go To Hell' where symphonic intro feels like a prelude to a full attack, Vader is brutal and uncompromising. From stand out riffs through more varied songwriting and more memorable guitar leads and solos Vader reloaded its arsenal, and with hits like thrashy 'Triumph Of Death', battle hymns 'Hexenkessel' and 'The Eye Of The Abyss' they aim to bring down venue after venue with those sure to be new fan favorites. There are no surprises, no experimentations - just straightforward death/thrash metal from the beginning to 'The End', and even after 30 years of existence I'm convinced no one wants to have it any other way. Vader was put on this earth to bring battering and headbanging music and I'd rather throw knives with blind monkeys than listen to progressive, post-metal album from Peter's death squad.

Anyone who thought that Vader have had its best days behind them, better pick up this record and be prepared to revise his/her views. Vader might have lost a few battles in the past but they're still winning the war! Tibi Et Igni is a quintessential album from Polish veterans but it stands above its predecessors with more militaristic vibe and delightfully thrashing rage.

Rating: 8 out of 10