The old German Heavy / Power / Speed Metal band, TYRAN' PACE, has been long gone for years. In 2001, two of the late band's founders, drummer Ralf Schultz & guitarist Oliver "Oli" Kaufmann, paved the way to shape that once classic reality into a newfound strong Metal band by the name of VINDER. The musical prowess of the band share common elements with early legendary German Metal bands as ACCEPT, later SINNERalbums and you can also add TYRAN' PACE to the selection because you just can't let go of the old roots. For the initiation of 2011, and a celebration of a decade of existence, VINDER will release independently their dark, yet emotive, new concept album, "Vertigo".

When I prospected the album's material, I was very impressed by the band's sensitivity on pushing forward on being loyal to their old German Heavy Metal heritage. As it was, and still is, displayed on German classic oriented Metal bands, melody is still the name of the game besides the heaviness of the twin guitar assault, an imposing drum strike, and let's not forget a smashing new vocalist, Dirk Schäffner, who replaced their older vocal man Nick Winkler that appeared on the band's debut album "Visions Of Time". The new guy surly delivered a great performance.

Even so, with those great features, I didn't like their guitar sound, which was pretty much filled with tons of gain, which caused the guitars, when played alone, to make some darn noises. Gladly that the producer intensified the drum set, especially base drum, so that super gain error is partly covered. Other than that, "Vertigo" turned out to be rather cool.

The presented tracks of the album left the conviction that the old ways of German classic Metal is still alive and well. Definitive tracks such as "The Letter / Dark Horizon", "Where Evil Dwells", "Diary Of A Child" and "Face In The Mirror", will take you down through a dark world of mystery. I have to say that with their dark intentions, I had a rather hard time to understand the concept VINDER intended to show.

However, you can assume many things, it will only make it better. Besides those tracks I mentioned, I didn't find anything that is so thrilling about the others, but I can agree that the potential is there and also we are talking here about skilled performers, so no problems there with something better in the future. I do hope that me or the fans won't have to wait five years until a next released is dished to us.