Marduk (review by MMB)

Marduk

Viktoria

Century Media Records

22 June 2018

Transgression was a source of inspiration for the spark in the minds of the young Swedes in the beginning, and while it is true that nowadays through sheer longevity, doggedness and quantity of output throughout its near-30 years of existence Marduk is the establishment in black metal, I still feel like a new album means a certain level of unpredictability.

I was taken aback with the first song on the album. “Werwolf” is a blasting furious punk- fiendish black metal monument to speed and minimalism. It crossed my mind that this song seemed like the band had been listening to The Ramones or The Misfits and decided to Marduk up that energy and vibe. It also occurred to me that this song would be pleasing to the fellows in Darkthrone.

“June 44” follows. No, “Werwolf” is no oddity because track number two continues the minimalist approach. It is another scorcher, a quick injection of adrenaline. There are nine full songs (no intros, no interludes and no outros) and the album is 33 minutes long. From what I can tell at this point, it is a frenetic on-point exercise in proud extreme metal, and there are only two songs that provide moments to catch your breath: “Tiger I,” a track that still has flashes of blasting and speed in it, but overall it is a change of pace in comparison to the assault on the senses of the other songs. The final track is called “Silent Night” and it is the one that winds down the album in a serene manner. This is the one track that is plodding, as a conclusion to the latest chapter of the most accomplished black metal band.

Viktoria flies by and then it’s time hear it again. Everything is working according to the grand plan of conquering the Earth with black metal. Marduk is not a band to rest on its laurels. They are always in motion, and things keep changing. They are a touring band, a workhorse of the road, and as warriors of rock and roll they keep making the next album, tour and keep working on the album planned after that. This latest one may shock some people due to its brevity and its minimalism, but I think that just as many fans may find it refreshing to hear a catchy album by Marduk. Besides, with all the bands putting out super long albums that last 120 minutes with one long track that takes forever, it’s cool to hear a Marduk album that rocks out, does the job and ends. Marduk is taking care of business, and it’s on to the next project.

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