So the good news is that _Impressions in Blood_ makes good on the promise demonstrated by last year's EP. The over-the-top opening instrumental, wafting far too much of the theme song to a fantasy role-playing game, may evoke a few cringes -- but once "Shadowfear" roars to life, Vader are all business. Playing against a noticeably speedier backdrop, the focus has turned back to bona fide riffing as opposed to the uninventive chug-a-minute style that had become increasingly commonplace on the band's last three records. On a few occasions, they even step outside their comfort zone, tossing Dimmu Borgir-like keyboards into the mix and pulling it off beautifully. Whether it helps make _Impressions in Blood_ as compelling as the band's coup de grace is another matter entirely. But if the question is whether this record is a clear indication of Vader being back on track? Absolutely.