MARDUK COVER ARTWORK VARIATIONS part I

In my previous post on Instagram I didn't go into why I have 5 different copies (1 picture disc LP and 4 CD) of Obedience (2000). Because I'm fucking crazy... Well maybe? Should do a blog post about those also but managed to fuck up some of the pictures, it's coming some day.

I just want every different cover artwork Marduk have ever released even if it's on LP or CD. Also want to add that these 4 vinyls in this post are all quite cheap. At least when I got most of them about a year ago.

Would be nice to own every LP print someday but with all the Osmose Productions re-releases of many albums that they do every year in every possible color. I don't see that will be possibility for a foreseeable future sadly but I got time and patience.

All these records in this post are as you can see (hopefully) the 4 first Marduk full length albums. Got more cover art variations in my "quite vast"  Marduk collection. Stay tuned for lots of more parts in this series.

As far as the music goes on the records I don't even need to go deep into why all these 4 albums are mandatory for every Black Metal fan out there to have in their collection.

Usually hate whenever a band/label fucks with the cover artwork and these ain't no different. One can just in a millisecond see that's not how it supposed to look like.

However me being very passionate about my Marduk collecting, the band who clearly take up most space in my entire collection. I also don't think its absolutely necessarily to think every item in it must be a perfect 10 out of 10 release.

Being as off as these are I still find them all to be a bit charming. Also the rest of the layout and pictures are amazing so just for that reason it's a great investment for Marduk my collection.

 Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) already had terrible cover art. But I definitely don't think this 2008 Blooddawn Productions release as an improvement of the original 1996 one.

Also dislike the "glossy sleeves" these are for the most packed in.

The remaster of Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered was done in the Endarker Studio in 2004. It sounds good but has the weakest sound of these 4 remasters. This has actually became my favorite album from the "Legion era" in about a years time but more about that in another post.

It also got some bonus tracks from a demo 4-track recording done in June of 1995. Those songs are not listed anywhere on this release. I do enjoy them very much although I heard and owned them all before for quite some time on their box set and the 2 LP's of Blackcrowned (2002).

Probably the most ugly looking out of these 4 vinyls is the 2008 Regain Records LP of my favorite Marduk album of all time Opus Nocturne (1994). It's just a nightmare and I don't keep it anywhere close to my 1st print black LP version in my Marduk collection.

It got 3 bonus tracks, studio rehearsals of Sulphur Souls; Materialized In Stone and Opus Nocturne (sadly with no vocals) from April 1994.

None of those are rare as they were also included on their Blackcrowned release but there we were treated with Autumnal Reaper as well. They do reappeared somewhere else if my memory serves me right?

The 2008 Opus Nocturne reissue was also remastered in the Endarker Studio in 2004. It sounds very similar to the original recording.

I do think the Those Of The Unlight (1993) artwork from this 2006 Regain Records LP looks more then alright. However what I looked at as a 14 year old in 1994 on the CD booklet is in the back of my mind and is clearly the better of the two.

Its pictures and layout inside the gatefold release is the best out of these 4 in my humble opinion.

This 2006 LP release of course doesn't have the 3 bonus live video songs as the two 2006 CD's had of Darkness Breeds Immortality; A Sculpture Of The Night and The Funeral Seemed To Be Endless. However they are included on the "official bootleg" Strigzscara - Warwolf (2015) recorded in their own hometown Norrköping in December of 1993.

Should mention that the 2006 Regain Records LP and 2 CD releases (European & N. American) have 3 different cover artworks. Insane maybe... Those CD's are green and black instead of red and black as the LP.

As with the others Those Of The Unlight from 2006 was remastered by Devo Andersson in his Endarker Studio. I can hear a distinction from the original release but still very close to that one, it's not like this an entire new record.

Last out their debut album Dark Endless (1992) originally released on the legendary No Fashion Records on vinyl as well. This Blooddawn release is from 2008. Also want to say there are more different cover artworks variants of this album.

Must say although I'm not a fan of the original artwork that this is my 2nd favorite Dark Endless cover after the original 1992 release.

This one has 5 live bonus songs Departure From The Mortals; Within The Abyss; Still Fucking Dead; The Black Goat and Evil Dead recorded live in 1991. Also released as another "official bootleg" EP in 2015 on a 4 song 7" called Ancient Evil.

It not stated where the remastering of Dark Endless took place on the release but I would guess once again by Devo in the Endarker Studio. Repeating myself but it sounds great I do think out of the 4 Dark Endless and Heaven Shall Burn... sounds the weakest of them though.


So do I recommend getting these versions? If you don't have a copy of any of the albums on vinyl I would go with something that looks more like the original releases. If you don't care about that thing I go for it and leave these to us die hard fans.

And as ALWAYS PRAISE HAIL MARDUK!! 

MARDUK - HERE'S NO PEACE - SHADOW RECORDS LP (1998) & CD (1997)

One of my favorite releases in my entire Marduk collection is this 12" picture disc vinyl that comes with a poster limited to 500 copies on Shadow Records from 1998. The CD had been released a year earlier by the same label.

It's not one of my most expensive Marduk vinyls. However not saying it's a cheap and easy release to come by especially with the poster. And yes the poster edges are supposed to look like it has been torn/ripped.

The combination of Marduk, being one of my favorite bands ever, on one of the best record labels ever from my country Shadow Records. That makes it such a much more valuable release too me then any monetary aspect.

The history behind the Here's No Peace release is one interesting story. Recorded in December of 1991 with Dan Swanö at his Unisound/Hellspawn/Gorysound Studio. It was the second time ever that Marduk made a recording since their first and only demo Fuck Me Jesus from June 1991.

Over at Metal Archives it says that Here's No Peace supposedly were going to be released as a 7" on the North American label Necropolis Records.

But I'm going with what is being said in the first Marduk interview I ever read. Issue number 5 from November 1992 of the Swedish Close-Up Magazine with the now only remaining original member and founder of Marduk Morgan Håkansson (guitar).

Where he states that it would be to released on a German label called Slaughter Records as a 7" vinyl. Somehow that never happened and Morgan tells what a total fuck-up that guy was. The article says it would be called Here's No Fucking Silence.

Finally in October of 1997 Marcus Tena's Shadow Records released the recording on CD it being the 2nd release ever on that label. Another favorite in my Marduk collection is a picture disc version from 1997 of the Marduk album Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) it was the first ever release on Shadow Records.

The original Here's No Peace CD has 3 songs:
Here's No Peace (instrumental intro)
Still Fucking Dead
Within The Abyss.

A year later when Shadow Records released this picture disc 12" they added 2 more songs. Both being Bathory covers In Conspiracy With Satan and Woman Of Dark Desire.

Marduk are good at doing covers but Bathory is a hard band to try emulating their own sound too especially those older songs. They were already so perfectly recorded by the legendary Bathory. Not complaining though it's a great addition to the vinyl release.

Both appeared on the compilation In Conspiracy With Satan - A Tribute To Bathory (1998). That David "Blackmoon" Parland (1970 - 2013) ex. guitarist for Dark Funeral, Necrophobic but also the bands Infernal and War released on his Hellspawn Records with bands like Nifelheim, Emperor, Unanimated, Ophthalamia, Satyricon etc.

Marduk had already released a Bathory cover of The Return Of Darkness And Evil in 1996 on their Glorification EP. Out of those 3 covers my favorite one is probably Woman Of Dark Desire.

But about the original Marduk songs here Within The Abyss had already appeared on the Fuck Me Jesus recording which I do think is the best version of that song.

It's also featured on their debut album Dark Endless (1992) in my opinion the Here's No Peace one is better then the record one also.

At the time Marduk had a Death/Black Metal sound until the release of their second album Those Of The Unlight (1993) which is straight forward Black Metal. That is also one of the best records ever from the Swedish scene.

Still Fucking Dead (Here's No Peace) as it called on Dark Endless that No Fashion Records released is another excellent version but I do prefer the recording on the Here's No Peace release.

As much as I do like the debut album the recordings before sounds more raw, unfiltered with a more meaner sound to it is the best way I can describe them.

At the time of the Here's No Peace recording the Marduk line-up consisted of:
- Morgan Håkansson (guitar)
- Joakim Göthberg (drummer 1990-1993 later vocalist from 1993 to 1995)
- Andreas Axelsson (vocals 1990-93)
- Rickard Kalm (bass 1990-92)

The same personal had recorded the Fuck Me Jesus demo but for their debut Dark Endless they had added Devo Andersson (guitar). Who made his first performance with Marduk on a release with that album.

Here's No Peace is definitely a most have for any Marduk fan. I consider it to be the 2nd best EP they have ever made. It was also my gateway into Shadow Records with the 1997 CD release me being a huge fan of Marduk.

For any casual fans of the band I do recommend getting it also. Although you might don't want to try hunt down a copy of the 12" Shadow Records vinyl, the 1997 CD isn't near as expensive as that one.

Believe all the songs also appear on some CD reissues if you want to go down that route instead.

Here's No Peace was reissued on Marduk's own Blooddawn Productions in 2001 on a 10" vinyl that one comes in a sleeve. Have huge buyers remorse for not getting that one at a record fair in my hometown a couple of years ago for what was a great deal then.

Later it was also released on CD by Regain Records in 2007 that has a colored cover artwork. I don't own that particular one yet.

My intention is to own a copy of every different artwork Marduk has used for each album and/or EP and there's a ton of them especially from the Regain Records era.

Usually don't like whenever cover artworks gets altered but Marduk being the band by far taking up most space in my entire collection I want to see that collecting goal through. Have a long way to get to that point especially with the CD's but ain't in any kind of hurry.

Not trying to brag and boast but really got one amazing deal on this Shadow Records LP in the autumn of last year over at a Swedish auction site. Actually one of my top-10 maybe even top-5 finds ever.

Also expect a lot of more Marduk content to be posted. Been really into them for the last couple of months I have been filling "almost all" the gaps I had in my EP/7" vinyl collection. Got a bunch of "new posters" and I want to post my old 90's concert flyers plus the 3 DVD's that I've rewritten so many times for more than a year...

Some may think that Here's No Peace is sparse of content but I don't get that opinion. Not only are the songs amazing but also a very early recording in the Swedish Black Metal scene and for me that makes it even more interesting. Also always interested to hear how Dan Swanö progressed with his Unisound recorded releases.

Anyway that was Here's No Peace a lot of other information but have been on a Instagram and blog hiatus for a couple of weeks due to some health issues.

Forever, eternally and as always PRAISE HAIL MARDUK!!

MARDUK - OPUS NOCTURNE (1994)

1st print black vinyl limited to 700 copies released on Osmose Productions in 1994. Also released on a green vinyl limited to 300 copies that one is expensive as hell these days... Not that anyone could say my version is cheap nowadays exactly...

If I had to pick out a couple of Black Metal albums that were most essential for me getting into the Black Metal genre back in 1994 Opus Nocturne would definitely be one of those records.

Together with the albums The Somberlain by Dissection, Into The Nightside Eclipse by Emperor and Pure Holocaust by Immortal they all meant so much me in 1994.

They were the gateway records that showed me just how much music could have an effect on me and the path my life took.

The progression Marduk made with the Opus Nocturne album from their previous ones Dark Endless (1992) and Those Of The Unlight (1993) is immensely huge.

From the Black/Death Metal feeling in the early days on their only demo Fuck Me Jesus (1991) and the Here's No Peace recording. That were recorded in December of 1991 but not released until 1997.

The debut album Dark Endless also got that Black Death Metal sound. While their 2nd album Those Of The Unlight is pure Black Metal and probably the most unique recording Marduk did in the 90's.

Been many phases during the 29 year old history of Marduk and Opus Nocturne became a end of an era record for them.

It was Joakim Af Gravf (vocalist 1993-95/drummer 1990-93) last album with the band. Also their last release to be recorded with Dan Swanö at his Unisound/Hellspawn/Gorysound Studio.

Swanö whom Marduk had worked with since their first and only demo Fuck Me Jesus (1991).

Have to admit that Opus Nocturne was a bit harder for me to get into then The Somberlain (yeah I know Metal of Death...) and Into The Nightside Eclipse. Remember immediately liking my favorite Marduk songs ever Sulphur Souls and The Sun Has Failed though.

Also Materialized In Stone and the title track Opus Nocturne with vocals and lyrics by Tony "It" Särkkä (1972-2017) from Abruptum, Vondur etc. That one sounds like something Ophthalamia (another band It had formed in 1989) could have recorded it was a very unusual Marduk song.

Just a few listens in I liked From Subterranean Throne Profound; Autumnal Reaper; Wolves (Part 2: Untrodden Paths) and Deme Quaden Thyrane almost as much as my favorites. Opus Nocturne grew into a beast for me.

I could have the CD on repeat for hours and still find new things on each and every song it was truly a magical time in my life.

Opus Nocturne was released late in 1994 and in February of 1995 Marduk together with label mates Enslaved did a tour called the Winter War Tour 95. As they had done on the previous tour with Sons Of Northern Darkness with Immortal a special split shirt was made with the Marduk and Enslaved logos on the longsleeve arms. Those two are my most wanted shirts of all time.

Photos by user "maidenthrone" on tshirtslayer.com.

Marduk basically had the same line-up as the record on the tour: Morgan Håkansson (guitar), B.War (bass), Joakim Af Gravf (vocals), Fredrik Andersson (drums) but added Kim Osara as a session/live  guitarist.

Marduk and Enslaved's Winter War Tour 95 lasted from the 7th of February until the 26th of the same month with no dates off. They played in Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Like mentioned many times before I used to buy/trade live bootleg filmed VHS-cassette tapes in the mid to late 90's. Marduk were one of the bands always had my eye out for.

The first one I got from the Winter War Tour 95 was recorded at Marseille, France on May the 17th. I do remember hating all effects they put on the video but it was still amazing.

It's on YouTube and I'm glad for that because I don't have to mess with my old VHS-cassettes. Even if I got stuff by some bands that's not out on YouTube.

Included the Marseille concert in this post and the setlist Marduk played are:

Sulphur Souls
From Subterranean Throne Profound
Wolves
The Sun Has Failed
A Sculpture Of The Night
Materialized In Stone
Deme Quaden Thyrane
The Black...
Untrodden Paths (Wolves, Part II)
On Darkened Wings
Autumnal Reaper 

Many songs from Opus Nocturne really glad they played A Sculpture Of The Night from Those Of The Unlight but also ones that aren't played now like: From Subterranean Throne Profound, The Sun Has Failed, Deme Quaden Thyrane, Untrodden Paths (Wolves, Part II) & Autumnal Reaper.


Those tour dates became as far as I know the last shows with Joakim Af Gravf as vocalist with the band. Everything he did with Marduk were brilliant in my opinion. Joakim Göthberg which is his real name did a guest appearance on the Rom 5:12 (2007) album.

Joakim was replaced by Erik "Legion" Hagstedt in 1995. Legion was previously in Ophthalamia and were vocalist on their excellent 2nd album Via Dolorosa (1995).

Like many other bands did at the time Marduk started recording at The Abyss Studio for the follow-up Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) with Peter Tägtgren from Hypocrisy.

At first I hated the production on that album but now I actually regard it as the best album of the "Legion era". I changed my opinion drastically on that record since I ranked all Marduk albums about 2 years ago. Okay it's almost a tie with Panzer Division Marduk (1999) but a topic for a future post.

The legacy that Opus Nocturne left behind 25 years later is as strong as it was back in 1994. At least for me. Whenever I hear Joakim screaming "praise hail Satan" in the beginning of Sulphur Souls I know it's a 43 minutes ride into the BEST SWEDISH BLACK METAL of the 90's.

It's not my nostalgia for this album talking! As always Praise Hail Marduk!

Bonus! The Marduk and Immortal split shirt from the Sons Of Northern Darkness tour. Picture from user "fab cas" on tshirtslayer.com.

MARDUK - PANZER DIVISION LIVE (2018) Tank Shaped EP

Limited and handnumbered to 500 copies. Released on Blooddawn Productions and made by the Italian label Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records.

Once again I have all the official Marduk EP’s because I finally got a "good deal" on the Panzer Division Live tank shaped vinyl EP. By owning every EP I mean every release. Not every print version they have ever released of them. You should know I’m crazy but not that crazy!

The EP have 2 songs Panzer Division Marduk & Baptism By Fire recorded live in Hamburg, Germany 1999. Those songs have been available on various Marduk releases already. Like the box set Blackcrowned (2002) on the CD’s and also on the VHS that's included in that box.

They also appear on 2 of the 4 Blackcrowned vinyls from 2002, the standalone Blackcrowned DVD released in 2005 and the official live bootleg album World Panzer Battle 1999 from 2015.

My guess is that people mostly bought this tank shaped EP as a display piece because of its very unique design. I don’t care about devaluing it and put the whole thing together.

Because it’s NOT leaving my Marduk collection! It’s meant to be displayed for me and everyone else viewing pleasure that dares enter my domain. Also got it because I want every Marduk EP they’ve ever release.

As far as I know it was sold exclusively through the Nuclear Blast onlinstore and although I’m subscribed to their newsletter I completely missed this EP when it was released. It had been announced on the official Marduk Facebook page. They should’ve announced it on Instagram and/or their official website. Who the hell uses Facebook? Fuck that shit!

Anyway I'm really glad to finally have it in my collection although it would’ve been great with some more exclusive songs. 2 songs recorded live from the Frontschwein (2015) album would have been really enjoyable. Even if I didn’t buy the EP mainly for its music.

Even if I got the EP for about 150 SEK cheaper then for what it sells for on Discogs (with shipping within Sweden) I wasn’t willing to be patience and wait out another better deal. Who knows maybe the Panzer Division Live EP will be cheaper in the future? But I wasn't willing to take the risk it getting even higher then it already is going for nowadays.

And as always Praise Hail Marduk!!

MARDUK - BLACKCROWNED (2002)

Both these Marduk vinyls was released on Regain Records in 2002. Not sure how many copies of them were released. I know that the 2 picture disc releases also from 2002 was limited to 500 copies each.

A Marduk compilation box set limited to 10 000 copies called Blackcrowned was released 2002 it included a live-VHS, 2-CD & lyrics booklet with rare photos. Already in 2002 the VHS format was beginning to become obsolete, at least for me, so I thought that it was kind of strange they included it back then. They eventually released it on a standalone DVD in 2005. I'll do a post on my 3 Marduk DVD’s one day.

The 2 LP’s has all songs from the 2-CD in the box set. It has all sorts of miscellaneous assortment of songs like covers of Hellchild by Venom; Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones; Earth A.D. by Misfits; Macabre and Samhain by Samhain. The covers are alright, except for the butchering of the amazing timeless song Paint It Black. There's also live recordings of Baptism By Fire; Funeral Bitch and Dracole Wayda from July 2000 at Waldrock Open Air in the Netherlands. The sound was not professionally recorded it almost sounds like a bootleg recording, then again the Blackcrowned VHS/DVD has a a bunch of that... I don't mind the quality because I was used to old live bootleg VHS copies of Dissection, Dismember, Marduk etc. from the 90's.

Something I really appreciate is the 4 studio rehearsal songs from April of 1994. Amazing to hear the song Opus Nocturne performed by Marduk! Even if that one is just instrumental on Blackcrowned release. The 3 others from that Opus Nocturne (1994) rehearsal recording are Materialized In Stone; Sulphur Souls and Autumnal Reaper they at least have vocals on them.

Have no clue why they did re-recordings in 2001 of old classic songs like: The Sun Turns Black As Night; The Funeral Seemed To Be Endless; Darkness Breeds Immortality; A Sculpture of the Night; Untrodden Paths (Wolves Part II) & The Sun Has Failed. Don’t know why these were re-recorded? I usually hate re-recordings of old classic songs. These ones are alright but the originals are of course at least 100 times better!!

Another amazing thing on this release is the 4-track recordings from June 1995 of 4 songs that ended up on the 1996 album Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered a year later. Those songs are: Beyond The Grace Of God; Glorification (instrumental): Black Tormentor / Shadow Of Our Infernal King and Infernal Eternal / Towards The Land Of The Damned these were clearly working titles of the songs was finally on the Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered album.

The song Bloodletting was recorded in January of 2001 and was supposed to be included in some horror movie that never got released. Marduk finished the song a couple of months later that year in September and included it on the Blackcrowned release. The song is also on the World Funeral (2003) album. It's a few seconds shorter there and doesn't sound much different from this version.

Deathride is a medley of riffs from the Panzer Division Marduk (1999) album that was used on some Metal Mulisha stuntvideo soundtrack (whatever the fuck that is?). Another highlight for me is the song Todeskessel Kurland from the 1999 Panzer Division Marduk session. The band didn't finish it until 2 years later. Both these songs appears on reissued versions of Panzer Division Marduk like my picture disc vinyl.

Only small gripe I got with these two vinyls is that they have the exact same artwork on the back sleeve. Doesn't effect the music of course so it's not a big deal, still it would be nice with a design on each. The box set however was a bit overkill though, to print as many as 10 000 copies, the use VHS and CD's. I much rather would've it come in a box with 2 LP's + a DVD and maybe 1500 - 3000 copies that could be a really cool collectors piece. Even if I got the LP's and the DVD I still don't own the Blackcrowned box set, but I'll get it some day. It's not expensive or hard to find these days.

I really enjoy both Blackcrowned albums but I cannot recommend them to any casual Marduk fans. These releases are clearly meant for die-hard fans like me. And as always...

Praise Hail Marduk!!

MARDUK - DARK ENDLESS (1992)

On a vinyl reissue from 2012 limited to 1500 copies released on Century Media/Blooddawn Productions. Originally released on No Fashion Records in December of 1992. Really like this reissue with a booklet of old pictures, logos and the lyrics. Not like my old CD copy from No Fashion Records that's very sparse on content in the booklet to say the least...

As you know this was the debut album by the mighty Marduk. The band started playing in 1990 and recorded their only demo the 5-song Fuck Me Jesus in June 1991 in Gorysound Studios aka. Unisound with Dan Swanö.

The lineup in the Marduk was basically the same on Dark Endless as on their demo but with a second guitar player added Devo Andersson (guitar 1992-94 and bass 2004-present). The founder of the band Morgan Håkansson (guitar) is the only remaining member of the band in its present form.

Joakim "Grave" Göthberg aka. Joakim Af Gravf played drums 1990-93 he later was their vocalist 1993-95. Vocalist on Dark Endless and Fuck Me Jesus was done by Andreas Axelsson (1990-93), at the time he was also guitarist in Edge Of Sanity and on bass they had Richard Kalm (1990-1992).

Before Dark Endless the same lineup had recorded a 3-song EP called Here's No Peace in December of 1991 at Hellspawn Studios (aka. Unisound) with Dan Swanö. I heard several reasons to why it wasn't released as a 7" vinyl at the time it didn't get a release until 1997 when Shadow Records put it out on a MCD.

During 4 days in June of 1992 Marduk for the third time went into the Hellspawn Studios to record the Dark Endless album with Dan Swanö. A total 8 songs was recorded and their first full length album clocks in at 30 minutes.

3 of the songs appears on the "Fuck Me Jesus" demo Within The Abyss; Departure From The Mortals and The Black.... The song Within The Abyss also appears on the Here's No Peace EP as does Still Fucking Dead (Here's No Peace). New for the album was 4 songs The Sun Turns Black as Night; The Funeral Seemed to Be Endless; Dark Endless and Holy Inquisition.

Dark Endless was the 4th release of Marduk that I bought after discovering the band in 1994. It was not easy to find a copy of it, but it was actually in my hometown I eventually found it at that record store who sold used CD, LP VHS etc..

The fact that I had heard Opus Nocturne (1994); Those Of The Unlight (1993) and the Fuck Me Jesus demo that Osmose Productions released on a MCD in 1994. Also other Black Metal bands too many to mention. So it made my first experience with Dark Endless was a bit underwhelming.

But DON'T get me wrong its a excellent debut album!! I just thought the production and sound on the album wasn't as raw and harsh like the one on Fuck Me Jesus had. I still to this day prefer the 3 songs on the demo of Within The Abyss; Departure From The Mortals and The Black.... over the Dark Endless versions.

Also the the version of Still Fucking Dead and the second version of Within The Abyss from the Here's No Peace EP is better then the Dark Endless ones. It might sound like I'm very critic of the debut album but like I wrote it's an excellent album. Its great throughout and not a bad moment on it.

The only minor gripe I got with it is the cover artwork. It's not terrible and it got a certain charm to it but looks like a Death Metal record. And doesn't look anything like the early Norwegian Black Metal releases like Burzum; A Blaze in the Northern Sky or Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism.

If I had discovered Black Metal and Marduk in 1992/93 and Dark Endless had been one of the first albums I bought in the scene I would have been absolutely blown away by its excellency. But then again I do think it's a excellent record now and that's what is most important not what the 15-16 year old me thought something like 23 years ago.

And as always Praise Hail Marduk!!

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!!

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!!