Morgan Steinmeyer-Håkansson - guitar
My first introduction to Marduk came with "Infernal
Eternal", so I can’t say so much about their development
and progress during the years. But in my opinion, it
seems like Marduk is trying to renew themselves and
their music. It seems like they want to get better with
what they do, but at the same time they haven’t lost
their brutal approach.
More info on the band:
www.marduk.nu
Marduk
Marduk is one of
the most extreme bands in the whole black metal genre
today. They have played togheter for over 10 years. The
first album "Dark Endless" came in 1992 and they have
released many records since then.
Their previous album was a double live album called
"Infernal Eternal". It was released in 2000 and was a
tribute to all the the fans that have stuck with them
along the way.
B.War - bass
Fredrik Andersson - drums
Legion - lead vocals
They have spent a lot of time on this album, and it’s
very well-worked. "La Grande Danse Macabre" was recorded
in the famous Abyss Studio in Sweden and mixed by Peter
Tägtgren. It is produced by the band, and the album
contains 10 tracks. "Musicwie" is real fast, but there
are also some slower passages squeezed in on some of
the songs. When it somes to the lead vocals I think
that Legion has a very limited vocal capacity. It
doesn’t happen so much in the vocal area, it’s pure
black metal vocals all the way.
"Azrael" is a typical black metal song with some slower
passages in the middle. "Pompa Funbris 1660" is an
instrumental track with some heavy drums and fast
guitars. "Obedience Unto Death", "Deathsex Ejaculation",
and "Jesus Christ Sodomized" are some really fast
brutal black metal songs. More of the extreme, brutal
black metal is found on the track "Bonds Of Unholy
Matrimony", but in this song, Marduk has put some
thoughts in the track and sick tempo changes in it too.
In the intro to the titletrack, it’s only drums and
guitar before it starts off and Legion joins in with
his typical black metal vocal. It’s heavy, but not so
fast on the titletrack. Other tracks that don’t have
such high speed are "Funeral Bitch" and "Summer End".
"Summer End" is also very short.
Marduk is one of today's most extreme black metal bands,
and they can hold their heads high ´cause they are one
of the best black metal bands right now. Sure, Marduk is
very good at what they do, but it can be kind of tiring
to listen to Legions voice. He's got to variate his
voice, and also expand his vocal range a bit. Later
this year the follow up "World Funeral" is going to be
released, it’s sure longed for by the fans.
Album Rating: Rating 8/10
Reviewed by: Anders Sandvall