MARDUK - VIKTORIA (2018)

On a white vinyl limited to 200 copies a Century Media webstore exclusive release. This is the 14th album by Marduk since their start 28 years ago in Norrköping, Sweden in 1990. Have heard mixed opinions about the front cover for Viktoria. I really like it very different from their other albums but a good change.

Ever since this album was announced a few months ago I’ve had high expectations for it. This is the 6th album in 14 years that Morgan Håkansson, Devo Andersson and Mortuus have recorded in the Endarker Studio now. But there’s no need to change anything, they still sounds amazing. The band performance is brilliant and Mortuus is outstanding as always.

The 2 songs that was released as teasers Equestrian Bloodlust and the one people like to misspell... Werwolf which is German for Werewolf. If you’re a World War II history fanatic like me I suggest reading about Werwolf.

But I’m getting off-topic both songs was great hints of what to be expected from this album. Although there’s better songs then those two on Viktoria in my opinion like the title track Viktoria; June 44: Tiger I: The Last Fallen; The Devil's Song or Narva.

Viktoria with its 9 songs is only approx 33 minutes long, that's about 20 min shorter then the previous Frontschwein (2015) album. No record during the "Mortuus era" has been shorter then this. The only shorter Marduk records are the debut Dark Endless from 1992 and the 1999 album Panzer Division Marduk who both clocks in at approx 30 minutes. But albums that's as good as the ones mentioned doesn't need to be longer. I feel Marduk used the time well and I repeat what I wrote about Hekatomb I rather have a short superb experience then a long subpar one.

It’s way too early for me to rank and have a real perspective on Viktoria among their 13 other studio albums. Even if it's very new I will still say that I like this one better then the previous Frontschwein (2015) album.

Viktoria is definitely in my top-3 of 2018 so far maybe even at number 2. Only a miracle could dethrone Hekatomb by Funeral Mist of the number 1 spot.

When I summarize this year we’ll see where it lands among other great releases. Also if Daniel "Arioch/Mortuus" Rostén will have been involved in the absolute two best albums of 2018. A year that's already established as one of the best years in the extreme Metal genre since the 90's. At least according too me.

Before we end I would like to make a rant about re-sellers on Discogs sure it's a great site where one can get hard to find albums. Sometime even also find a really good deal. But.. When Viktoria was released on the 22nd already a bunch of scum re-seller fucks are there trying to make money of the limited versions of the album.

I bought mine for 22 Euro over at the Century Media webstore. There's 10 different versions, yes TEN, of this LP in white, red, transparent, picture disc camouflage, sun yellow, dark green, silver, gold, transparent red and standard black  Of course many are limited to 100-500 copies.

Remember how much I paid for mine 22 Euro. Because over at Discogs these fuckers want 40-65 Euro for the ones they are selling... Holy fuck how annoyed I am about this. Of course this isn't a new phenomena.

But what really grinds my gears are that these aren't music fans nor are they Marduk fans just re-seller assholes that keeps Marduk fans away from the records.

My suggestion is to boycott ALL of those sellers at Discogs that keeps doing this kind of business. Can't understand why the fuck they go through the trouble buying something very limited and just to resell it. There's 23 copies for sale right now of the limited white, red, camouflage, silver etc. haven't checked eBay and Amazon but I bet you can find it there also.

I don't know how many different versions the new Immortal album Northern Chaos Gods will have that will be released next Friday. But something I do know this will happen with Northern Chaos Gods and over and over and again, again and again...

Anyway enough ranting and as always! PRAISE HAIL MARDUK!!

DISMEMBER - DEATH METAL (1997) vinyl & MISANTHROPIC mcd (1997)

The fourth and excellent Dismember album Death Metal on a first print Nuclear Blast LP and the must have EP Misanthropic on a MCD. These were the last releases recorded with the classic Dismember lineup: Matti Kärki (vocals), Fred Estby (drums), David Blomqvist (lead guitar), Robert Sennebäck (rhythm guitar) and Richard Cabeza (bass). I consider Dismember to be the best Swedish Death Metal band of all time maybe even my favorite band in the entire genre.

The 5-song Misanthropic MCD was released in June of 1997 on Nuclear Blast. The excellent title track Misanthropic is the only song that's also featured on the Death Metal album. The 4 other songs are also amazing, one being a cover of Pagan Saviour by Autopsy from their classic 1989 debut album Severed Survival.

The Misanthropic EP has never been released on a standalone vinyl so the MCD will do for me. I'm aware it's on some 2-LP reissue of Death Metal not to sound like a "pretentious record collector asshole" but I only collect and own first print vinyls of Dismember albums.

The 3 other songs on the MCD Shadowlands sounds like classic Dismember and those great guitar leads are amazing. The entirely Fred Estby composed Afterimage starts heavy as hell and it reminds me of Indecent & Obscene in some parts a totally awesome song. Last out Shapeshifter and it's another great one. These songs are so fucking great it's strange that they didn't make it onto the album.

Although Death Metal has 12 songs so I can see why they didn't include them. Anyway this is how a EP is done! 5 songs that are all amazing and gets one hyped for the record. Misanthropic is one of my favorite EP's in the Death Metal genre of all time.

When Death Metal was being released in August of 1997 I remember thinking that the album title was a bit pretentious at the time. But after the massive letdown Massive Killing Capacity (1995) album had been, actually don't think it's terrible I learned to like it after MANY listens to it. But after Dismember releases like Like An Everflowing Stream; Skin Her Alive 7" single; Pieces EP and Indecent & Obscene expectations were huge. The 3-song EP Casket Garden (1995) had been a warning on what was coming, but I'm getting off-topic. I'll write more about those 2 in another post...

Dismember probably wanted to make a statement with the album title. That they were a pure Death Metal band and not part of the disgusting Death N' Roll trend. The first song I heard from the Death Metal album was on a CD compilation that was included in the Swedish metal magazine Close-Up I think it was the song Misanthropic and I thought it sounded great.

But I hadn't bought any Death Metal CD's since 1995 because I was totally into the Black Metal scene since 1995-99 after discovering the genre in 1994. Okay I bought Elegy by Amorphis in 1996 but in 1997 I also was out drinking every weekend with my friends. Being 17 years I could "only" afford 2 to 4 Black Metal albums each month. Also money was prioritized for beer and snus (Swedish tobacco). It wasn't until 1999 when I bought these two Dismember releases on CD because I found a new interest in Death Metal again. It completely blew me away how amazing they both were. 

Me and my friends saw Dismember live in my midsize Swedish hometown when they played at a club in October of 1997. That was a legendary night among our friends except for all drunken craziness that went down, for me it was very special for a specific reason. I was underage to visit the club Dismember played at by 1 year I usually was aloud inside anyway because they never checked for my ID. This night I was drunk as hell on moonshine so the bouncers wouldn't let me in. 

But then I saw Fred Estby and Matti Kärki outside the venue who went out for a smoke me being drunk as fuck stumbled over to them and wanted to discuss their amazing debut album Like An Everflowing Stream (1991). Fred was such a nice guy and I told him that I wasn't getting inside the club so he said come with us. Fred told the bouncers I worked for the band I can't believe it worked haha. Because they recognized me at the club being there every Friday and Saturday but at least I got in and for free. It was beyond amazing and I should have bought the record as a thank you to Fred and Matti in 1997.

Anyway the Death Metal album is a timeless classic. Once again they recorded in the Sunlight Studio but this time with Fred Estby engineering, mixing and producing the album. Their previous producer Tomas Skogsberg and the one everyone associate with Sunlight Studios and the early Swedish Death Metal scene only gets drum engineer credits on the album.

Fred Estby didn't just record the album and EP he has writing credits to 13 of the 15 new songs. On 3 of them he's the sole composer both for the music and lyrics. I also want to highlight the songs that bassist Richard Cabeza contributed music to Of Fire; Misanthropic; When Hatred Killed The Light and Silent Are The Watchers are some of the best on these two releases. David Blomqvist was involved in the songwriting for great 8 songs. Matti Kärki wrote lyrics to 10 of the 15 songs and Robert Sennebäck was involved in the songwriting to 3 of the songs.  

It starts out strong with the very fast and brilliant Of Fire with music composed by Blomqvist and Cabeza. It continues with the equally amazing Trendkiller. Then the brilliant Misanthropic it's great to hear that classic Dismember guitar sound but progressed 7 years since the epic debut Like An Everflowing Stream (1991).

Actually some small parts on the Death Metal album reminds just a little of Slaughter Of The Soul (1995) by At The Gates. I'm not saying that they copy them it still sounds like the classic Dismember sound but new and updated.

The tempo slows down a little bit in Let The Napalm Rain but they keep it heavy as fuck. Also use a sample from the epic and one of my favorite movies of all time Apocalypse Now! (1979). Continuing with the song Live For The Fear (Of Pain) and I don't miss the sound of the Massive Killing Capacity album at all! The slow and heavy Stillborn Ways is entirely written by drummer Fred Estby another great song.

Killing Compassion is the shortest song 1:49 on the album another fast one to start the B-side of the record and it gets you perfectly into the album again. Next Bred for War it's one of my favorites on the album and one they used to play live often. Then the Estby/Cabeza written When Hatred Killed The Light another favorite of mine on Death Metal.

Ceremonial Comedy starts off immediately and one doesn't get time to breathe amazing. Blomqvist / Cabeza written Silent Are The Watchers starts with the Iron Maiden influenced guitars and continues throughout the song, top-5 song on the album for me classic Dismember. Last out is Mistweaver it starts with a cello intro very unusual, but it fits perfectly in the song that's slow and heavy. Brilliant lead guitar playing by David Blomqvist the song ends abruptly and what a great ending.

After 40 minutes of great Dismember Death Metal I am extremely satisfied. The classic lineup I wrote about in the beginning of this post truly made an outstanding last album together. On the followup Hate Campaign 3 years later Richard Cabeza and Robert Sennebäck wasn't in the band anymore and was replaced by Magnus Sahlgren (ex. Tiamat, Lake of Tears etc.) on guitar and bassist Sharlee D'Angelo (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Witchery etc.). The band continued for 14 year more after this one and released 4 albums, 2 DVD's and a demo compilation record. Even if Dismember didn't reach as high as this one all are essential to own if you're into the finest sort of Death Metal.

If it wasn't already obvious enough I recommend getting the EP and album instead of reading my text. I would rank the Death Metal record as the 3rd best Dismember release ever. Fucking brilliant!

FUNERAL MIST - HEKATOMB (2018) LP and CD song by song review

Even though I don't like to use the term my favorite band. Yes I do think that Funeral Mist is even better then Marduk, Dissection and Emperor the three bands that got me into this genre back in 1994. Even better then other bands that I also rate very high like Darkthrone, Bathory, Burzum, Arcturus and Wardruna. So one could definitely say Funeral Mist is my favorite band.

Didn't think we would ever see another album by Funeral Mist. It's "only" been 9 years since Arioch released Maranatha in 2009 but I thought Arioch/Mortuus was satisfied with Marduk being his main and only musical outlet.

So it was quite a shock when I got the e-mail on June 9th from the Norma Evangelium Diaboli bandcamp saying that Funeral Mist was releasing a new album that was called Hekatomb. It was also being released just 6 days later. Sadly the wait got longer with shipping then on the 15th.

However the album was available to stream via the Bandcamp phone app since the 13th and on their site if you had bought the album there which I had. Usually I mainly listening to my albums on a stereo and preferable on vinyl.

It was so tempting to stream Hekatomb and I admit that I had to do it because I was going literally batshit crazy waiting for it to hear it. My LP and CD came into my possession on Tuesday and I could finally listen to the damn thing properly. One of the two t-shirts also came in that package the other one has been shipped now and the Hekatomb silkscreen poster. Will do a post when I got both t-shirts I now own 9 Funeral Mist ones so I'm missing a few.

Arioch is of course vocalist and play guitar and bass on the record like he has done since the 2nd Funeral Mist release the Havoc Demo II '96. He has the former Marduk drummer Lars Broddesson (2006-2013) or "Lars B" as the booklet say play drums on Hekatomb. Just like on the previous album Maranatha he once again recorded the album in the Marduk bassist Devo Andersson owned Endarker Studio.

I purposely didn’t read any reviews, opinions, comments or even talked with anyone about the Hekatomb album. Even if I’m not an easily impressionable person I wanted my opinion be free of any other persons opinions about it.

Don't know if the people who read my blog follow me on Instagram @herr_black_metal there many will comment or send messages with "great/nice/awesome review". Now I've never considered myself a reviewer even if some seem to think that I am.

So for this post I will try and act as one. That means I cannot factor in expectations only what’s presented on the album. If that make sense? Anyway here we go:

Once again we're cast into the weird twisted sinister realm only Arioch can create and reign with in Funeral Mist.

I really like the cover artwork to Hekatomb it looks nothing like Salvation (2003) or Devilry (1998) and way different then my favorite cover art of them all Maranatha (2009). The rest of the layout is in the same vein as the ones we're familiar with from the previous albums.

Both the CD and LP comes with a lyrics booklet, the CD one has more pictures then the LP one. A big disappointment is that Hekatomb doesn't come with a poster like Funeral Mist LP's usually do, even the reissued vinyls had that. There's a Hekatomb silkscreen that I ordered via Funeral Mist bandcamp. Anyway on with the song by song review:

In Nomine Domini (4:31) is the opening song which in Latin means "in the name of God". After a short intro the bass starts playing in a slow tempo about 50 seconds into the song it takes off and clearly Funeral Mist are fucking back at full force! The tempo slows down again a sample of some Swedish preacher screaming I can only hear clearly "i Jesu namn" which means as you probably can guess "in the name of Jesus" then it intense once again. Perfect opening of the album that seamlessly transcends into the next song.

Naught But Death (4:42) starts of with a great guitar riff, throughout the song a chanting voice is heard in the mix. They blend very well with Arioch's vocals. It's another amazing song and if Funeral Mist played live I would headbang my longhaired scalp through the entire beast of a song.

Shedding Skin (4:48) takes of from the start and it goes fast as hell. Here you can hear why Arioch is in my opinion the best vocalist in the scene and of all time. His vocal approach to the songs of Funeral Mist is very different from what he does in Marduk it sounds much more possessive and demonic. Something bands should take not of this album more or Funeral Mist in general on how to get the right flow on the record. So far the songs on Hekatomb are placed in the perfect order (and it continues throughout the entire album). Anyway Shedding Skin is another masterpiece of a song.

Cockatrice (7:27) the second longest song on Hekatomb. It starts off fast and with guitar playing twisted leads and shouldn't fit the song but it does it continues in the song on occasion. The keyboard is first heard 1.5 min into the song about halfway in they start again to completely take over the song when the tempo drops. A full minute ambient part add much to the mood of the song. Then the other instruments comes back and we're once again in Funeral Mist frantic madness. A lonely slow drum beat ends the song, the same one that goes into the next song.

Metamorphosis (7:35) the longest song on the album. The B-side of the album like I wrote start with the exact drumbeat as the previous one ended with about 30 seconds in the guitar and a low mixed choir join. The slow tempo continues and about half way in the choir chants now higher in the mix.

I don't have any particular favorite songs on the album because Hekatomb is a full experience. But both Cockatrice and Metamorphosis my suggestion is that if your not already completely lost into the Funeral Mist madness listen carefully to those two.

Within The Without (3:13) is the shortest song on the album but in those 3 minutes Arioch pack so much into the song. It starts of fast and frantic the guitar work by Arioch is amazing and drummer Lars B also should get praise for his great performance on the entire album. A church bell (?) chimes in the slow part of the song. It's another amazing song.

Hosanna (4:29) meaning a cry expressing an appeal for divine help. The song is is furious violent extreme aggression perfectly executed. Arioch  or D. "Arioch" Rostén as he call himself in the booklet once again wrote another already classic song.

Pallor Mortis (6:16) the last one on the album is the perfect ending song. It has moments in it that reminds me of the 2 previous albums songs. A frantic child or woman screams in a strange language (Latin?) during the 2 minutes final moments of the song and album. The last song on every Funeral Mist album has always been something special and on Hekatomb it's also a very special song and I'm very pleased with the final song.

8 songs in 43 minutes goes very fast and I’m left wanting more. It’s NOT a complaint I much rather have a superb 43 min experience then a subpar 74 min one. The album is as long as it needs nothing is left by coincidence the placement and pace of every song is perfectly executed. That's my view on Hekatomb as a whole it sounds excellent both the performance by Arioch and Lars B are phenomenal so is the production in the Endarker Studio once again.

The album sounds like how I imagined or dreamed a followup to Maranatha should sound like. Hekatomb is much closer to that album musically then Salvation.

If I had to give it a review rating score it's 10 of 10. The best Black Metal masterpiece I've heard in many many years.

Now for the final question is this better then their previous albums?

Well certainly better then Devilry but I can't say that Hekatomb is better then neither Salvation or my favorite Funeral Mist release Maranatha but its not far away from those two in my opinion.

Even if favorites can change and great albums tends to grow on you. Take for instance Mayhem's masterpiece De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994) when I heard it for the first time in the mid 90's I thought it was a great album. But I didn't know that it would become my all time favorite record until years later. When I summarize the year 2018 or if I even do a a re-review of Hekatomb in 3-6 months who knows what I feel about it then?


Have gotten the 2 t-shirts and the poster so here they are:

MARDUK - LA GRANDE DANSE MACABRE (2001)

On a first print vinyl limited to 1000 copies on Blooddawn Productions/Regain Records. I also included the original CD release because I think the vinyl release have so much better artwork and also the classic Marduk logo. Of the 13 (soon 14) full length studio albums Marduk have made La Grande Danse Macabre is my least favorite. But by Marduk standard that's better then MANY other bands!

They had set such a high standard with their previous album Panzer Division Marduk (1999) so La Grande Danse Macabre had a huge task trying to follow that. Still there’s great songs on this record and is worth getting for the brilliant song Azrael alone but also Jesus Christ... Sodomized.

La Grande Danse Macabre starts off the album with the 2 min with a great instrumental intro song Ars Moriendi. It continues with the already mentioned Azrael  I don’t understand why the 3rd song is another 2.5 min instrumental piece called Pompa Funebris 1660 even if it’s a good one it slows down the flow of the album.

Obedience Until Death is good but nothing special. The next the 7 minutes song Bonds Of Unholy Matrimony has many great passages but could've been better had it been shorter. Death Sex Ejaculation also ends very well. The 8 min title track La Grande Danse Macabre is the most disappointing one. It actually have a verse written with Swedish lyrics.

Then something weird Funeral Bitch was amazing on the EP Obedience (2000) the album version isn't close to the filthy and intense sound it had 15 months before on the EP. Summer's End has some great guitar playing by Mogge but it feels out of place on this record. The last song on the album however Jesus Christ... Sodomized is a great Marduk song so at least it ends on a strong note.

The production is the weakest Marduk ever had on a full length album. HOWEVER an album is only as good as its songs and it's there they fail at most. Even if it was evident that Marduk needed to make huge changes they still did the amazing World Funeral (2003) in The Abyss Studio.

Remember when I bought this album back in 2001 and it didn't many times because my criticism of it 17 years ago was even harder. There’s probably people who discovered the band with La Grande Danse Macabre or even have it as their favorite Marduk album. I do appreciate this album much more nowadays and you got to understand that the scene was completely different back in 2001. I had been listening to Black Metal since 1994 and during those 7 years there had been so many timeless classic albums so my expectations on Marduk were high to say the least.

I've really been negative throughout the entire post but still I wouldn't have gotten it on vinyl if I didn't think it have some redeemable quality to it. The term "vinyl worthy" is something I often use whenever I purchase a vinyl. In my entire collection of Black/Death/Thrash Metal or any other music for that matter. It's one of my rules otherwise I would be happy just to have something on an old CD that I bought back in the day. Then to track down a first print or reissue vinyl because I only want quality records in my LP collection.

Really wish that longtime drummer Fredrik Andersson (1993-2002) had gotten a better album to leave the band with. However he will always be my favorite Marduk drummer.

I still think you should make up your own mind on La Grande Danse Macabre and as always praise hail Marduk!!

Promo ad for the album I scanned from a magazine I own and some other interesting records.

MARDUK - WORLD FUNERAL (2003)

On a first print vinyl limited to 1500 copies released on Blooddawn Productions in 2003. World Funeral became the last album to feature longtime bassist B. War who played with Marduk since 1992. It also was vocalist Legion final album with the band after joining in 1995.

It also became the last Marduk album to be recorded with Peter Tägtgren in his The Abyss Studio where they recorded 5 albums. This was Emil Dragutinović (The Legion and Nominon) first record with the band as a drummer after joining the band in 2002. Replacing my favorite Marduk drummer of all time Fredrik Andersson who played in the band for 9 years.

Despite me ranking this their 11th best album (3rd to last) it’s still an amazing record, maybe their most underrated record in my opinion. It’s much better then the previous La Grande Danse Macabre (2001) in my opinion. There’s so many great songs on this one With Satan And Victorious Weapons; Bleached Bones; Hearse; To The Death’s Head True; Blessed Unholy; Night Of The Long Knives and probably my favorite song on the album Cloven Hoof.

Another one worth mentioning is the instrumental Blackcrowned which is a rendition of the song The Queen's Funeral March (Procession) by Henry Purcell. That’s featured in one of my top-10 movies of all time A Clockwork Orange (1971) by director genius Stanley Kubrick.

They also use a sample from the horror movie Phantasm (1978) for the song Hearse with the opening part saying "the funeral is about to begin, sir!". Also on With Satan And Victorious Weapons they use a sample from the movie this time The Name Of The Rose (1986). 

Although I really like the song World Funeral it wouldn’t be my choice for a promo video like they did. They had also done a video for the song Hearse that was also the title track of an EP with the same name that Marduk released in 2003 before the album. The cover artwork to World Funeral is one of the more boring ones in their discography, it's not terrible but not very interesting either.

I know Legion got criticized about his capabilities as vocalist both by fans and media especially at live performances. I think he did a great job both onstage and on records. However it was time for a change in Marduk. 

Even if Panzer Division Marduk (1999) was brilliant in every way. Both albums Nightwing (1998) and La Grande Danse Macabre (2001) although not bad, they were my least favorite albums. Even if I just named a bunch of amazing songs of the great World Funeral album they needed new blood. Both in the band and a new studio/producer to record with.

They certainly got that with Arioch/Mortuus from Funeral Mist on vocals and returning bassist Devo Andersson’s Endarker Studio. But I will always appreciate what Legion and B. War provided to Marduk during many great years of working in the band and I highly recommend the World Funeral album.

And as always praise hail Marduk!!

A 2003 promo ad for the album I scanned from a magazine
I've been subscribed to since 1994.

MARDUK - ROM 5:12 (2007)

On a picture disc vinyl limited to 500 copies released on their own founded record label Blooddawn Productions. Also the original CD release with a 44-page booklet. Guessing the CD has become a collectible, because when I looked at Discogs for facts about the album for this post I saw it sells for between 20 to 40 euro nowadays. There was also a gatefold 2 x LP release of Rom 5:12 limited to 500 copies. As I wrote in my earlier post this album and Wormwood will be reissued on Century Media probably sometime after the release of the new album Viktoria (release June 22nd).

I think Marduk had progressed even more on Rom 5:12 then on their previous album Plague Angel (2004) where they already had made huge changes from the Legion era of the band (1995-2003). This was 2nd album with Daniel "Mortuus” Rostén as their frontman and with Devo Andersson returning to Marduk. In my ears it sounds like Mortuus played a much larger role on the song writing on this album then on the previous one. Even if he only got song writing credit on the two songs Cold Mouth Prayer and Accuser / Opposer.

It wasn't only musically the band changed the artwork and layout was also very different from before. Mortuus has a graphic design company called Holy Poison. He had done some amazing designs and now Marduk got new and much needed artwork designs very equally amazing that his other band Funeral Mist has.

On Rom 5:12 they once again recorded in bassist Devo Andersson’s Endarker Studio  I really enjoy the variation this record have especially when they once again collaborate with the great Swedish martial industrial/ambient Arditi on 1651. But also the song  Accuser / Opposer where A.A. Nemtheanga from the great Irish band Primordial does an amazing guest vocal performance. Also the former vocalist (1993-95) and/drummer (1990-93) Joakim Af Gravf guest on the excellent Cold Mouth Prayer. Other personal favorites are The Leveling Dust; Imago Mortis; Vanity Of Vanities; Womb Of Perishableness; Limbs Of Worship but I could literally mention every song on Rom 5:12 it’s that excellent throughout.

Actually Marduk used 2 different drummers on this album. Former member Emil Dragutinović who played drums with the band since 2002 on their 2 previous records World Funeral (2003); Plague Angel; 2 DVD's; 3 EP's and the live album Warschau (2005) . He had quit the band in November 2006 one month prior to Marduk starting the recording of this album and formed the band Devian with former vocalist Legion.

So he's only a session musician and according to a news post on Blabbermouth at the time I quote: "has agreed to perform on the new CD as a session musician (but only "if he gets paid upfront)". He played on 6 of the 10 songs.

The drummer Jens Gustavsson (1974-2013) played on 3 songs. He had played with bassist Devo in a "stoner rock band" called Dear Mutant. He was later a member of the Doom Metal band Griftegård until his death only at 38 years old in 2013. The band recruited Lars Broddesson as a permanent member and drummer for the tour and was with Marduk until 2013.

I always had a hard time deciding between Rom 5:12 or Plague Angel as the best album Marduk have recorded during the Mortuus era. It would make it my 3rd favorite Marduk full length album of all time. When I ranked their albums a year ago I chose Rom 5:12 it's probably not important for somebody other then me. Both album are however a most haves if you're into the Black Metal scene.

Could see if some people are somewhat indecisive about Rom 5:12 greatness. It’s of course not your typical commercial, easy listening or background music kind of album (not like any Marduk album is like that). But it's different from their other records released before this one for sure. Your complete attention is demanded to fully comprehend and hear the fine work of Black Metal art this true masterpiece delivers. For me this is one of the best albums of this century.

“Därför är det så: Genom en enda människa har synden kommit in i världen och genom synden döden; och så har döden kommit över alla människor, eftersom de alla hava syndat”
Romarbrevet 5:12. Praise hail Marduk!!

FUNERAL MIST new album HEKATOMB announced for June 15th 2018 released!!!!

Yesterday at 15:00 I got a e-mail from the NoEvDia Bandcamp about a new Funeral Mist album called Hekatomb being released. About 2 min later I had pre-ordered it on LP, CD and 2 new t-shirts. Best of all it's going to be released on 15th of June just 5 days away as of me writing this.

I never saw this album ever coming, I thought Arioch was done with Funeral Mist. No one could be happier then me because it's seldom I use a term like my absolute favorite band of all time. But I've been known to utter these words about Funeral Mist on more then a few occasions.

No other band has such a solid discography I mean just listen to Devilry; Salvation or my favorite of their 3 albums Maranatha.

This was to best announcement I've heard for years in the Black Metal scene. I was extremely glad when Unanimated announced being signed to Century Media for a 3 record deal and that the 4-song EP Annihilation will be released on August 10th. But that pales in comparison with a new Funeral Mist full length album.

When I opened the newsletter I'm subscribed to and saw what I first thought to be some kind of compilation album they were releasing. Especially with the new Marduk album Viktoria being released just 1 week after Hekatomb. Anyway when I clicked on the link in the mail app on my phone there it was an album with 8 new songs. The timing seemed odd at first but while Marduk is promoting their new album Funeral Mist is bound to come up in interviews even if Morgan Håkansson usually does them all.

Another theory I have is that the Funeral Mist vinyl reissues that was released on Norma Evangelium Diaboli about a year ago sold really well. Maybe it convinced Arioch there's still a demand for Funeral Mist new records. I could be totally wrong about that and he just wanted to have another creative outlet once again.

I really like the front cover artwork on Hekatomb. It's very different from "Devilry" and completely different from Salvation and nothing at all like the weird, twisted and my favorite Funeral Mist cover artwork Maranatha.

Here's the 2 new t-shirts that's also available for pre-order I bought them both and that now makes my Funeral Mist t-shirt collection 9.

My expectations on Hekatomb is set astronomical high considering what Arioch accomplished with Funeral Mist, still I will try not to think about it too much. Or expect that it will be their best album ever. I should just be glad there's a 4th album coming being released.

Don't expect a review/thoughts/opinions on the album immediately from me. I will take my time with this one. First time I heard Maranatha when that one was released I didn't know it would become my favorite Funeral Mist record. That was something I realized with time just like my absolute favorite album of all time De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994) by Mayhem.

Sure both were great from the first time of me hearing them but the albums that grow on you with each listen is always somehow the ones that end up being the absolute best ones.

Update 180613: If you bought it at their Bandcamp Funeral Mist - Hekatomb stream is available down below or on the Bandcamp phone app or visit Funeral Mist - Hekatomb . Actually I was supposed to wait until I had Hekatomb on LP and CD before listening to it. But... My curiosity made me listen to it twice. I'm not going to share any opinion on it before I have it though.

MARDUK - WORMWOOD (2009)

Vinyl limited to 700 copies and released on the Marduk founded label Blooddawn Productions in 2009. They also released Wormwood on a picture disc vinyl limited to 500 copies and also the "deluxe red vinyl" limited to 500 copies with a 32-page booklet, something my version don't have.
I also own the digipack CD release, that came with what I'm guessing is the same 32-paged booklet just smaller, so I don't mind it not being included in my version of the vinyl.

Wormwood was the 3rd Marduk studio album since Daniel "Mortuus" Rostén from Funeral Mist joined and Devo Andersson returned. Just like their 2 previous records they recorded it at the Endarker Studio that's owned by Devo and it sounds absolutely amazing.

The Wormwood album is great throughout but some of my highlight songs are Nowhere No - One Nothing; Into Utter Madness; Whorecrown; To Redirect Perdition; Phosphorous Redeemer (lyric written by Mika Hakola of Ofermod; Nefandus etc). Other amazing songs like Funeral Dawn; Unclosing The Curse and Chorus Of Cracking Necks all reminds me of Funeral Mist but also in some other songs I can hear that it's not surprising consider their vocalist Mortuus is also a great songwriter.

I almost named every song on this great album right there. It’s another brilliant album despite my ranking of Wormwood about a year ago. "only" at number 8 of 13 according to that it's my least favorite album of the “Mortuus era”, but I probably overrated the number 7 album Frontschwein (2015) a bit when I made the list.

You’ve got to know that Marduk is one of my favorite bands of all time! In my entire collection I own almost 50 releases by them on vinyl, CD and DVD. Of course there's different versions of the same album for instance of Plague Angel I got the promo CD, digipack CD and vinyl. I've been listening to Marduk since 1994 so I know their discography inside out.

And it was very close between Wormwood; Dark Endless (1992); Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) when I posted the list. It's hard to make album lists especially with a band like Marduk.

With a discography that's so very extensive and amazing it's would be much easier with a band like for example Emperor that's not even close to 13 unique studio albums in their discography. I still stand by most my choices in my ranking of Marduk's 13 studio albums but some I do regret but it was most for fun and I could change my mind like I wrote about a year ago. Well not my 2 favorites and 2 least favorite don't want to use the word bad because they certainly are no such thing about them!

In February 2009 Mortuus or Arioch as he's known as in Funeral Mist had released what I consider his/their best album with Maranatha. It's actually my 3rd favorite Black Metal album of all time and that's something I stand behind to this day very strong.

Actually Century Media will reissue Wormwood and also Rom 5:12 (2007) sometime during 2018 it's available to preorder at some online stores (without any release date). But they're not available over at CM Distro the Century Media webstore when I'm writing this. Guessing that they await the release of the new Marduk album Viktoria (June 22nd) before releasing the reissues of those two.

Until then listen to this great work of art and always praise hail Marduk!!

SWEDEN, BATHORY & SCANDINAVIAN METAL ATTACK

Today on the 6th of June is the National Day of Sweden and I will honor the fathers of the Swedish and Scandinavian scene today. Bathory!! With their three compilations “Jubileum Volume I-III” albums but also the split compilation the Swedish first print vinyl of “Scandinavian Metal Attack” (1984). Where Bathory made their first ever recording performance.

An old LP that used to belong to my older sister but she gave to me in the mid 90’s. Guess she bought it around 1991/92 (?) at the store that sold used records in our hometown. In 1995 I bought my very first Bathory CD the “Jubileum Volume II” (1992) album. At that same store where CD's and LP's were 50% cheaper then other stores with new records. The only Bathory songs I had heard up until this point were the ones that appears on the LP Sacrifice and The Return of Darkness And Evil.

To process Bathory from their primitive early 80's Black Metal to the Viking Metal era from the early 90's. It actually took me a few listens before I could fully appreciate the whole CD. But once I did... Oh fucking hell how amazing it was!!

I would play it nonstop again and again, over and over. It was such an eyeopening record and Bathory became one of my favorite bands from my home country. Later I read in an interview that one of my top-5 favorite Bathory songs The Golden Walls Of Heaven lyrics that the first letter of each line spelled out SATAN in every verse was great. For example:

"Silent watching gaze
Across the blackened plains
Two eyes like burning embers
Awaits the moment for the
North star to blaze

Sythanagon winged
Angel rides deaths wind
To cloudless sky
And sound a summon call of war
Now burn does the skyline"

and I thought that was the coolest thing. Hadn't discovered that in the booklet to the release because it ain't as apparent in the lyrics that's printed in the “Jubileum Volume II” booklet.

There's so many classic songs on “Jubileum Volume II” just to name a some of my favorites: Call From The Grave; The Return of Darkness and Evil; Die In Fire; Shores In Flames; Burnin' Leather; Possessed; Bond of Blood; Total Destruction; Twilight of the Gods etc.

Not long thereafter I bought “Jubileum Volume I” (1993). Once again later I discovered that the lyrics to another top-5 song of mine Dies Irae first letters spells out Christ The Bastard Son Of Heaven and the 15-16 year old me thought it was the coolest thing.

This album was even a little bit better in my opinion. It had so many amazing ones like: Odens Ride over Nordland; A Fine Day to Die; Sacrifice; War; Song To Hall Up High; Crawl To Your Cross; You Don't Move Me (I Don't Give a Fuck) Blood Fire Death etc. Also two other of my top-5 Bathory songs Equimanthorn and Enter The Eternal Fire. I could write every song!

The songs are perfectly chosen, who actually were voted by fans, all from Bathory’s 6 first records on both “Jubileum Volume I & II”. Sure songs like Hades; Necromancy; Born For Burning; Sadist; Massacre; Woman of Dark Desires; Of Doom...; Pace Till Death; Holocaust;  For All Those Who Died; Valhalla; Father To Son; Blood And Iron plus MANY are missing and would've been great. But still what one gets on these 2 compilation albums are very high value for ones money.

It actually took me a trip to Stockholm and the record store Sound Pollution to locate my two favorite Bathory albums "Blood Fire Death" (1988) and "Under the Sign of the Black Mark" (1987). Because finding them in my hometown wasn't happening except for the used one I found and “Jubileum Volume I”. Later I ordered "The Return....." (1985) and "Bathory" (1984) then finally I got "Hammerheart" (1990) "Twilight of the Gods" (1991).

By then "Blood On Ice" (1996) had already been released and one of the best songs from that album The Lake appeared on a compilation CD that came with an issue of Close-Up Magazine a Swedish metal mag. It actually took me a few years before I finally got and also liked "Blood On Ice" on CD because it didn't blow me away when I listened to it at one of the local record stores back in 1996.

All three compilations are essential to own just for the 8 previously unreleased 80's songs:

• Die In Fire and You Don’t Move Me (I Don’t Give a Fuck) recorded in 1983
• Satan My Master and Witchcraft recorded in 1984
• Burnin' Leather Rider; At The Gate Of Dawn and In Nomine Satanas recorded in 1987
• Crawl To Your Cross recorded in 1989

I also want to note that the versions of Sacrifice and The Return of Darkness And Evil is from the split compilation LP “Scandinavian Metal Attack”. I definitely prefer those recordings over the album versions they sound much better in my ears.

The 6 first albums will always be my favorites in the Bathory discography. Hence I think that “Jubileum Vol III” (1998) is more uneven then the two previous volumes.

The songs from the albums “Requiem” (1994) and “Octagon” (1995) and the two unreleased 90’s songs Resolution Greed and Genocide are good, but they all pale in comparison to the 2 previous compilations. I still think that the record is worth buying just for the unreleased 80’s recorded 2 songs and those from the amazing “Blood On Ice” (1996) album.

Have a great day and celebrate Sweden and Quorthon who died in 2004 on June the 3rd with some beer and Bathory!