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 - WARSCHAU (2005)

On a reissue gold double vinyl that comes with a poster to limited 200 copies released on Century Media in 2018.

I also included the cover variant that's on the slipcase from the 2005 CD. It's the same image inside the gatefold but that one is slightly altered. I really enjoy the design of this vinyl release.

It’s been awhile since I posted something on Marduk have owned this record for months now so it’s about damn time to write about it. Have been caught up in the music by Bathory for quite some time now.

This release was done to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Marduk. Since Mortuus/Arioch had joined and Devo had returned to the band this were their 3rd release.

Warschau is in my opinion the very best Marduk live album. If I was to rate it among my favorite Black Metal live records of all time it would be very high up there. Definitely a top-3 worthy release.

What makes it special is the unfiltered, raw, harsh recording. While Live In Germania (1997) felt like it had quite many things rerecorded in the studio.

The songs are of course very important whenever a band releases a live record. Already 15 years ago when this was recorded Marduk had released 9 studio albums and a bunch of EP’s. So there’s a lot to choose from.

Great to hear Mortuus do vocals on 5 of the old classics from when Andreas Axelsson (1990-93) and Joakim Af Gravf (1993-95)  were vocalists. The songs are pretty predictable though:

• The Black...
• Burn My Coffin
• On Darkned Wings
• Wolves
• Sulphur Souls

Also the 6 ones from the Legion era, the 3 last are from World Funeral (2003). I don't mind that at all even if I rate it their 3rd "worst" album I also rate it maybe their most underrated record:

• Slay The Nazarene
• Panzer Division Marduk
• Azrael
• With Satan And Victorious Weapons
• Bleached Bones
• To The Death's Head True

6 of the 17 songs on this album are from the then almost 1 year old Plague Angel (2004) that do I consider to be my 4th favorite Marduk album. I got no complains about the songs from that one:

• The Hangman Of Prague
• Seven Angels, Seven Trumpets
• Blutrache
• Steel Inferno
• Throne Of Rats
• Warschau

Always when a band got such an amazing and extensive discography as Marduk one will always wish for own personal favorites. Even if they did many from Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) on the Live In Germania album with Legion. I wanted at least 1 or more songs from that record.

Others I personally would like them to have recorded are some more from the Dark Endless (1992) and Fuck Me Jesus (1991) releases. Only one from my favorite Marduk album Opus Nocturne (1994) is far too few. I would be pleased with just one of these From Subterranean Throne Profound, The Sun Has Failed or Materialized In Stone..

But enough about the songs who is on it or isn't! It's the performance that I'm most pleased with.

Warschau was recorded in the city with the same name, Warsaw in English, located in Poland during their Deathmarch Tour in September of 2005.

What makes this the best Marduk live album is not just because it sounds fucking amazing. Once again I’ve got to give praise to Mortuus for this who I consider to be the best vocalist in the entire Black Metal scene.

Said this many times before but what he has done in Marduk, Funeral Mist and do not forget about Triumphator has only been beaten once. By Attila Csihar on the best album of all time the Mayhem classic De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994).

I highly recommend buying the phenomenal Marduk DVD Blood Puke Salvation (2006). It was also was recorded during the tour for the Plague Angel album mostly during December of 2004.

And as always Praise Hail Marduk!

MARDUK - INFERNAL ETERNAL (2000)

First print double picture disc vinyl limited to 500 copies that comes with a gatefold cover sleeve released on Blooddawn Productions/Regain Records.

When Infernal Eternal was released in the year 2000 got to admit that I was a bit hesitant about it. Sure I bought the 2-CD immediately at the release. Just felt that Marduk could’ve waited somewhat longer then the 3 years between this one and the Live In Germania (1997) record.

Nowadays I’m glad that Marduk released this album. Have always preferred the Live In Germania record however since getting this Infernal Eternal LP release a few month ago whenever I listen to it now I think that it’s better. But vice versa whenever I listen to Live In Germania...

Have much more nostalgia with that record of drinking beer with my friends in the summer of 1997 and being 17 years old and the only care in the world was music and drinking alcohol with my friends. While in the year 2000 being 20 years old and having a lot more "responsibility" with work.

My favorite Marduk live album is Warschau (2005) when Mortuus had joined and Devo returned.

At the time of the Infernal Eternal release I had also been somewhat disappointed with a few Marduk releases. Absolutely NOT bad because I don't Marduk can or ever will be that. The album Nightwing (1998) and both the EP’s Glorification (1996) and Obedience (2000) was far from as excellent then take instance Opus Nocturne (1994) or Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) and all others before them.

Really like the songs they chose for Infernal Eternal altogether 18 songs that was recorded in France during the The World Panzer Battle Tour. Five from the Panzer Division Marduk (1999) but also classic songs like The Sun Turns Black As Night; Those Of The Unlight; Burn My Coffin; Still Fucking Dead; Departure From The Mortals; On Darkened Wings etc.

It sounds great and all musicians and Legion's vocals are top notch. My only complaint is that it would've been great with some more songs from Opus Nocturne then just two (Materialized In Stone and Sulphur Souls). Also only one from the Heaven Shall Burn... album (Legion) but there's five of those on the Live In Germania record. I'm just glad that they chose that many songs from both of the Dark Endless (1992) and Those Of The Unlight (1993) albums.

One could fuss about some of the song choices like the cover of the Celtic Frost classic Into The Crypts Of Rays their live cover is alright but I rather hear another Marduk song. Sure that it's not often that Dreams Of Blood And Iron from Nightwing is performed live and it's a good song. But there's so many others I would've preferred over that one. Like the title track Nightwing of that same album.

Or some other personal favorites could've been included like:
The Sun Has Failed
Darkness Breeds Immortality
A Sculpture Of The Night
From Subterranean Throne Profound
The Black Tormentor Of Satan
Glorification Of The Black God etc. but that's just minor details.

If I was to look at this record not as the diehard Marduk fan that I truly am I still think that Infernal Eternal is an excellent live album. It should appeal to anyone who's into them, even casual fans but especially if you're into the "Legion era" of the band.

But also if you're just looking for a great live Black Metal album you can't go wrong with this one. All in all a great buy and of course even better on vinyl.

And my end signature is as always Praise Hail Marduk!!

TWO MARDUK VINYL EP'S

Iron Dawn from 2012 on a single sided white 12” vinyl limited to 300 copies released by Century Media/Blooddawn Productions.

First out one of the best EP releases of this century Iron Dawn. It "only" have 3 songs but fucking hell are they amazing! As far as I know exclusive to the Iron Dawn release, they might appear on some reissue. That I’m not aware about?

Would even go so far and to say it’s the best EP that Marduk have released since 1997 with Here’s No Peace (recorded in December 1991 though) on Shadow Records and probably my 3rd favorite EP by Marduk of all time.

The war theme is very present on this EP and the layout and design is amazing on this release. I like the CD version also but it's so much more impressive on a 12" vinyl sleeve version. Titles like Warschau 2: Headhunter Halfmoon, Wacht Am Rhein: Drumbeats of Death & Prochorovka: Blood and Sunflowers. Both the first and the last songs were played live in 2011.

This was also the first Marduk EP in 7 years since another brilliant one Deathmarch (2004). It was well worth the time to wait when they produced such a brilliant EP as this one.

Hearse on a 7” vinyl from 2003 limited to 500 copies released on Regain Records.

This 2-song 7" EP  was released before what would become the last full length Marduk album with new material to feature former vocalist Legion and longtime bassist B.War World Funeral (2003).

Besides the title track Hearse which they also made a promo video for, Marduk also did a cover of Phantasm by Possessed. That appeared on their gem of an album Beyond The Gates (1986).

I really think that the Iron Dawn EP should please anyone into Marduk or Black Metal also. While the Hearse EP is more for diehard fans like me of this Swedish Black Metal War Machine.

And as always Praise Hail Marduk!!

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 - PANZER DIVISION MARDUK (1999)

Den här sammanfattningen är inte tillgänglig. Klicka här för att visa inlägget.

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.