Thorns - Stigma Diabolicum (2007)

“Stigma Diabolicum” (2007) by Thorns on Kyrck Productions the 2015 reissue on a grey/black swirl vinyl limited to 150 copies. Comes with a poster and on the vinyl insert there’s a collage interviews from all sorts of magazines & fanzines Slayer Mag being one I recognize. 

I got to mention the Greek label Kyrck Productions they rereleased many rare/limited recordings on vinyl & CD of bands like Ved Buens Ende; Strid; Ulver; In The Woods; Manes; Arcturus etc. If you like your Black Metal on physical media and don’t want to pay a fortune they are essential for anyone that want for instance “Those Who Caress The Pale” on vinyl or this Thorns compilation. 

It was first released in 2007 and has all 6 songs from the legendary instrumental “Grymyrk”(1991) demo recorded with just guitar and bass. 2 songs of the “Trøndertun”(1992) demo that never was released just spread among people within the scene it has one of Thorns best songs ever Æerie Descent. Also 3 songs from when the band was called Stigma Diabolicum (1989-90) 1 song from the “Luna De Nocturnus”(1989) demo and 2 rehearsal songs. 

Snorre Ruch have made one of the best albums of this century with “Thorns”(2001) he is also considered together with Euronymous to have invented the typical Norwegian Black Metal guitar riff according to Fenriz. Watch the extra material in the 2-disc DVD documentary “Until The Light Takes Us”(2009) that version of the DVD is only available in region 1&4 so make sure your player can play that. Some other prominent figures in the scene like Bård “Faust” Eithun & Marius Vold were both once members of Thorns and Stigma Diabolicum. Snorre stoped working on Thorns when he joined Mayhem as Blackthorn on guitar. We all know the rest... 

This compilation is essential if you’re interested in the early Norwegian scene. Snorre is a musical mastermind and I hope he makes new Thorns album.  

Since I posted this on Instagram there's some reliable sources saying that the new Thorns record has already been recorded but the vocals & lyrics are still being worked on and that the record could be released early next year. I can't confirm this but I hope it's true only a new Funeral Mist or Isengard album could make me more happy. Because the wait for the follow-up to "Thorns" has been 17 years now... 

Some of my Einar Selvik collection Wardruna, Skuggsja, Jotunspor, Bak De Syv Fjell and Gorgoroth

It’s not the biggest collection of Wardruna and his other bands. I don’t own every existing print of each vinyl there is or all merch I’m not that kind of collector (only for Funeral Mist). Sure I buy the albums on CD.

Of all musicians alive in the scene Einar Selvik aka. Kvitrafn is one that I got the most respect for besides Fenriz and Arioch/Mortuus.

First time I heard the Wardruna debut Gap Var Ginnunga (2009) in the winter of 2009 it was a magical experience. That album is still my favorite creation by Herr Selvik and it was like being transported back to the glory days of the 90’s.
The first album in the Runaljod Trilogy is pure Norse magic for the ages and the best album from Norway I can think off the top of my head in 20+ years since La Masquerade Infernale or Filosofem.

I feel like Gap Var Ginnunga was a continuation of some of the best Norwegian albums of all time. It doesn’t sound ANYTHING like Høstmørke; Nordavind; Fjelltronen; Hvis Lyset Tar Oss etc. but in spirit it’s the same as those albums. With passion and the right spirit for ones creation the music gets beyond 10 of 10 even if I don’t like to “number review” art.

With Wardruna he have released 2 more almost equally brilliant albums, 1 excellent in the Skuggsjá project, he played drums in Gorgoroth, Bak De Syv Fjell and in Jotunspor he also played keyboard, guitar and sang just to name some of his other work.

The pendant of Jörmungandr the Midgard serpent was designed by Einar Selvik and the book consists of all the lyrics to the albums in the “Runaljod trilogy” both in Norwegian and English. Got both at www.wardruna.com the pendant something like 1.5 years ago and the book 1 year ago don’t know if they still are available

I’ve seen Wardruna live a couple of times but never when Gaahl was still a member something I really regret today. If you want to see an amazing Wardruna performance with Gaahl check out the song Kauna live at Incubate 2009 further down this post.

Still without Gaahl the band is one of the best bands I ever seen live. Last year I went to Bergen to witness the world premiere of Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik new Hugsjá live at Grieghallen. See 2 video clips from my YouTube channel that I filmed at the concert see further down in this post .

They will release the Hugsjá album on April 20th I pre-ordered the silver vinyl. The title track is available now on iTunes, Spotify etc. Get your copy over at http://aisamerch.de/bynorse/en/ and be prepared to be amazed.

Ranking of all 4 Nifelheim full length studio albums...

... like the title reads I recently ranked all 4 Nifelheim albums over @herr_black_metal on Instagram. Thought I'd share it here and also as a bonus the "Satanatas" EP and the split CD with Vulcano "Thunder Metal" which feature Jon Nödtveidt's final recording ever in June 2006. On with the evil blasphemies and let's find out which is the best Nifelheim album! Or at least my favorites.

1. Nifelheim (1995)

The first album of theirs I got on CD back in the day and it’s perfect. This beast is one of the best Black Metal albums ever from my country. This 1st print Necropolis Records vinyl is one of my favorite gems in my collection.

2. Devil's Force (1998)

Almost a tie for number 1 but I have more nostalgia for their debut. To follow up such an amazing album isn’t easy. But they did it just as great once again. Get both!

3. Servants of Darkness (2000)

This album doesn’t have a bad moment, all songs are brilliant and the production is perfect. I know some people say this is their favorite Nifelheim album and I hear why.

4. Envoy of Lucifer (2007)

First time I heard this it didn’t blow me away like their previous albums had. But with time I appreciated it more and more. Now it stands proud next to their other albums a must have.

The “Satanatas”(2014) EP is their latest release this 12” technically have 8 songs the B-side is exactly the same as the A-side but played backwards. If you enjoy Nifelheim it’s amazing.

The Vulcano split “Thunder Metal”(2006). I got the CD version because it’s the only release with Jon Nödtveidt’s last recording ever in June of 2006. He appears on Nifelheim’s cover of “Insulter of Jesus Christ” originally by the brilliant Swedish band Damnation. A band the Nifelheim drummer at the time Peter Stjärnvind (aka. Insulter of Jesus Christ) started in 1989 with Richard Daemon.

I really hope anyone that isn't into Nifelheim already will be inspired to track down these excellent releases,

Jon Nödtveidt article on Slayer from April of 1994

I've translated another Jon Nödtveidt from Dissection text he wrote for Metal Zone this article is about Slayer. Please check out my Instagram @herr_black_metal and also other interviews and articles I translated from Swedish to English by Jon Nödtveidt. Enjoy!

Jon Nödtveidt article from 1994 English translation

This Jon Nödtveidt written article was originally published in the June/July issue of the Swedish magazine Metal Zone #5 in 1994. This article was in a section of the magazine that was called the “Extreme Zone” and that made me aware of many “new” bands (for me at least) at the time like Nifelheim, Ophthalamia, Marduk, Immortal, Einherjer, Opeth, etc.

Hell this article is the reason why I got into Nifelheim! It made me search/hunt for a CD copy of the excellent A Journey In Darkness (1994) by Ophthalamia for years... This even made me buy, without listening to it first, the first and only Opeth album that I own Orchid (1995). Don't get me wrong it's a great album but I lost interest in them after that.

Looking back Metal Zone was an alright magazine, but the path it lead me into and the contribution by Jon Nödtveidt and Ole Öhman made it worth way more then my money when I was 14 years old. I got every issue except for #3 back then (still looking for it).

The magazine was heavily focused on "regular" Heavy Metal, grunge and AOR crap, this issue had Alice Cooper and Stone Temple Pilots on the cover had on articles with Clawfinger, Pride And Glory, Gilby Clarke, Benediction and Napalm Death 

More important a Bathory one. Jon Nödtveidt interview Quorthon for his solo album called just Album (1994) but Jon focused very much on the whole history of Bathory it's greatly written.

If you want an English translation it's included in Slayer Mag X. If you don't want to hunt for that issue it's of course included in the amazing book Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries from 2011 can't recommend that book enough it's a must have for anyone interested in great music.

Equally as important as the "Extreme Zone" and the Bathory article in this issue was a Dissection interview with Jon Nödtveidt (read a English translation here) it  Also the Emperor interview done by Jon. It made me buy In The Nightside Eclipse (1994) that same year, actually it was the very first Norwegian Black Metal album I bought. See an English translation I did over here.

I can say that it was thanks to Jon Nödtveidt that I discovered MANY bands in 1994.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article written by Jon Nödtveidt published in 1994 originally in the Swedish magazine Metal Zone #5 of June/July.

Translated by @herr_black_metal on Instagram

www.herrblackmetal.blogspot.se

Extreme Zone

A guide to the underground

Welcome honored death-heads! Extreme Zone is back now on a bit larger scale than before. We will of course continue our strive to make these Devilish pages expand even more so we don’t totally choke on all the pussy-rock, AOR (or whatever it’s called) that this magazine is filled to the brim with otherwise. We need all the support we can get and we want to know what you as readers viewpoint, so write and state your opinion! All critique, positive or negative, is necessary for the development of Extreme Zone to make it as strong and satisfying as possible. Every extreme Death, Thrash, Black Metal band grab your senses and immediately send your demo tapes, albums (+ preferably with photos and info) or whatever it might be, to get an honest review. This time we have also chosen to include some reviews of fanzines and we will continue to do so if there’s an interest and depending on what we’ll get. So every fanzine editor that want to give your zine some publicity, send us your creations!

First out this time is EINHERJER from Norway with their demo “Aurora Borealis”. Einherjer plays according to them they play epic Viking Metal and the description is more than fitting because of the Norse music atmosphere. Despite the fact that Einherjer does have a pretty own sound it’s mixed with some influences from the two latest Bathory albums and also a whole lot of Black Metal. Of the demos four tracks it’s the last song, “Einherjer” that distinguish itself most with its dark mood. Also the opening song “De Sorte Sjoers Land” is very good. The singing varies mostly from traditional raw to “regular” so to speak. Quite tiresome in the long run, but at some moments very recommendable. “Aurora Borealis” can be ordered for 30 NKR.

Here are a couple of guys that apparently have been listening too much to Deicide and Cannibal Corpse. LEGION from Kiruna delivers a tight and well played Death Metal, but sadly with none sort of originality. One actually begins to think if they strive to sound as standard American as possible. This is Legion’s second demo and because of the fact it’s no treat I hope for the sake of the band they will pull themselves together and put them in some sort of creative approach. If this had been recorded 5-6 years ago it would be on a whole other level.

Once again we heed to our neighbors in the west. HADES is one of the more new Norwegian bands and has accomplished to create a nice debut demo. “Alone Walkyng”, is the title and consists of three songs in heavy Black Metal spirit. “Unholy Congregation”, “Hecate (Queen of Hades) (absolute best of the three) and the titletrack “Alone Walkyng”. It comes as no surprise that Hades musically is almost identical with other Nordic Black Metal bands meaning it’s quite predictable at times. But quite good! Except for the demo “Alone Walkyng” that’s available for 30 NKR, they also have t-shirts available for 100 NKR.

A new single with rerecordings of three songs from EMPEROR’s debut demo “Wrath of the Tyrant” will be released within a couple of days. The single will be printed in a limited edition of 1000 numbered copies (with a sticker). Certainly a very sought after release. The easiest way to obtain it is to send 40 crowns to Nocturnal Art Productions, namely Emperor themselves. (Herr_BM: it’s “As The Shadows Rise” single Jon is writing about here.)

We have had the honor to take part of four new songs from a fresh new recording done by the extremely cruel psychopaths in NIFELHEIM from Dals-Långed. A recording that really reeks of hate and death! Songs like “Sodomizer”, “Witchfuck”, “The Devastation” and “Eternal Evil” is explicitly said so hellish awesome that all other new Black Metal sounds like gospel in comparison. Loyal readers of Extreme Zone of course noticed these guys in MZ nr 3, when we praised their debut demo, but this is the best! Fast, raw and crushing “Satanic Speed Metal” with an atmospheric aura of the blackest devilish evil. Sadly this recording is unofficial, but do not despair, because the excellent Nifelheim demo is still available to order if you’re fast enough 30 crowns + postage (an investment smarter than smartest). It will not be too long until we get to hear Nifelheim on an album. They’re going to appear on a compilation album on American Necropolis Records and later probably a whole full length album on the same company. We wait with big expectations…       

                                                      

The Northern Darkness Tour* with IMMORTAL and MARDUK is postponed because the organizer has been changed. The tour was originally was going to start on the first of April, but will instead begin on 27/5 and continue until 12/6. Totally 17 gigs and to us Northmen sadly not one in Scandinavia. *(Herr_BM note: the tour was actually called “Sons of Northern Darkness 94” and they played in Denmark so I would say they did play one gig in Scandinavia, I don’t know if that was changed or if Jon got the wrong info)

Swedish OPHTHALAMIA’s album debut “A Journey In Darkness” (Avantgarde Music) have after many circumstances finally been released. But not all the problems of Ophthalamia have been solved. The Italian record label Avantgarde Music has because of disagreement with the band cancelled all plans of any tours. The lack of distributors also cause that “A Journey In Darkness” still is very hard to get ahold of, but hopefully that’s going to change. The record is now available at House of Kicks and Heavy Sound.

OPHTHALAMIA’s songwriter “IT” is as you know with “EVIL” from MARDUK on his side also involved with the mythical and notorious “project” ABRUPTUM, their second album was recently released. “In Umbra Malitiae Ambulabo, In Aeternum In Triumpho Tenebraum” is the title and the album is published on the ghost label Deathlike Silence Productions. The planned razor (!) with the exhortation “cut your wrists” that was supposed to be attached on limited editions, never got done because of different reasons. The one who seeks out to be torn apart by the sharp claws of evil should thoughtfully consider looking after this hard to understand masterpiece.

UK based Candlelight Records some time ago signed the Stockholm band OPETH to its army of (mostly) high quality bands. The debut record “Orchid” is on its way to be released and is a result from a visit to the now widely used Unisound Studio in Finspång. The song titles are “In Mist She Was Standing”, “Under The Weeping Moon”, “The Apostle In Triumph”, “Forest Of October”, “Oath” and “Silhouettes”. The promo tape shows proof of may musically talents. Strongly influenced by Norse Folk Music and Progressive Rock Opeth debuts in a very promising way. We’ll wait with further comments until the album is released.

Like we said in the beginning we’ll henceforth review fanzines so we take a short moment and look at what we got thus far. It should also be added that these magazines are also looking for demos and to review.

The Gathering Zine #1

A very good fanzine written in English. Mostly consisting of Black Metal. Good interviews with bands like: Abruptum, Monumentum, Funeral Nation, Katatonia, Dissection, Throne of Ahaz, At The Gates etc. Also an interview with Slayer magazine. A memorial article dedicated to Mayhem, the history of Mercyful Fate, articles of the occult, album reviews, etc. 56 pager in A4 can be ordered for 20 crowns. Recommended.

Peerless Fanzine #2

Swedish written fanzine in A5. 64 pages full of Swedish Metal. Many reviews of demos/albums/fanzines, talk about songs and other good things. Interview with: Decameron, Merciless, Necrophobic, Edge of Sanity, Dissection, Dark Tranquility and Deranged, just to name a few. An entertaining magazine available for measly 10 crowns + postage. Well worth the price!

Zelot Zine #2

Astonishing great! Incredibly well written and a very professional layout. Packed with interesting reading throughout. Informative interviews with among others: My Dying Bride, At The Gates, Desultory, Overflash, Anathema, Seance, Pan-Thy-Monium, Nocturnal Rites and In The Colonnades. Articles, demo/album reviews, news and everything one can think of. Also a three paged tribute article on the kings of gothic rock Fields of the Nephilim. As you’d already understand this is a 68 paged A5 that’s characterized with a very high quality and I say easily that Zelot Zine are at the top of the Swedish fanzine elite, order immediately for 20 crowns. Overwhelming!

Nordic Vision #1

Nordic Vision is a Norwegian produced fanzine that according to me is a bit sloppy. Boring layout and so on, but because this is their first issue one can only hope that the coming numbers will get better. This can however be interesting for you that want to read some more about Black Metal. Interviews with: Rotting Christ, Marduk, Darkthrone, Monumentum, Dissection, Satyricon, Slayer Magazine and No Fashion Records. Also a bunch of reviews. It cost 30 crowns and we are only getting 22 pages. Expensive?

Dark Dimensions #2

Last out we have Dark Dimensions. Here’s served Black and Death Metal in a large amount! 62 pages on A4 written in Swedish. The interviewed bands are: Rotting Christ, Necrony, Vomitory, Tiamat, Dark Tranquility, Decameron, Marduk and a bunch of others. To my delight (and surprise) there’s also a 4-paged interview with the Progressive total favorites Landberk! Lots of reviews and such. Sadly the layout is in this otherwise good fanzine a bit disappointing, that affect the full impression some. For you that got 20 crowns too much why not invest in this magazine?

Enough of drivel for this time. Goodbye!

Jon Nödtveidt

Soon...

"Wings Of Antichrist" (1999) by Triumphator. This amazing record done by Arioch/Mortuus (Funeral Mist, Marduk), Marcus Tena & Fredrik Andersson (ex. Marduk, Allegiance), being rereleased on Tena's own Shadow Records label. Vinyl limited to 500 copies + a 7" with unreleased that comes with a poster.

Bonus from their only live performance:

FUNERAL MIST - TRISAGION (2013) vinyl boxset

The Evil, The Dark and The Grim. This is a post for the best vinyl boxset ever released in my opinion, all 3 Funeral Mist releases collected in one box Trisagion was released on Norma Evangelium Diaboli in 2013.

Even if I of course already own Devilry, Salvation and Maranatha on a bunch of vinyls and CD's this box was a must have in my collection. Because Funeral Mist are one band I actively collect everything of.

I never gonna play these records, they are as mint as mint could be. The A1 poster hangs proudly on my wall. The favorite Funeral Mist t-shirt in my collection of the 7 that I own have the same design as the poster. There's also a woven patch inside the box. Plus a lyrics booklet 28-pages with some of the best lyrics in the Black Metal scene, also some great looking designs.

If you don't own any of the Funeral Mist vinyls already I can't recommend this box enough. Maranatha (2009) and Salvation (2003) are the best records of this century and Arioch has done the best vocal performance on those records since what Attila Csihar did on De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994) with Mayhem. I'm not putting down what Dead did for Mayhem and the Black Metal scene he was truly one of a great kind.

Anyway if Arioch decides to never release any new Funeral Mist material I still can listen too these records over and over, again and again.

Forever and ever. Forever and ever. Forever and ever. Forever and ever. Forever and ever. Forever and ever. Until eternity ends...

TWO BRILLIANT ARCKANUM RECORDS

These two great vinyl boxes was released last year in 2016 for two of Arckanum's best records Antikosmos (2008) and ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ (2009).

My first encounter with the band was in the mid 90s with their debut album Fran Marder (1995) on the then brilliant Necropolis Records.

Ever since that I've been a fan of only member Shamaatae's one man band. In 1993 the band had a vocalist Sataros the brother of Shamaatae and guitarist Loke Svarteld they performed on the demos Rehearsal 1993 and Demo 1993.

Antikosmos was almost like a comeback album their first full length record since Kampen (1998) nearly 10 years ago. Even if they released four 7" EPs during that time.

One of them was as a split with Svartsyn (also on CD), another 7" with Contamino and The 11 Year Anniversary Album with rare & unreleased material. Most of those were released on Shamaatae's own Carnal Records.

Anyway Antikosmos and ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ was released just 11 months apart with guest session appearance by former Dissection guitarist Set Teitan on both albums. ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ is the better one of these two but you should get both in opinion if you want some very unique Swedish Black Metal.

These are almost like a Volume I & II even if the first one was recorded in Sunlight Studio and the other one in Stage One Studio. Both are some of the best Black Metal records of the 2000s.

Arckanum might not be for everyone but I urge anyone to give them a listen if you're unfamiliar with them. If you want to start with the debut Fran Marder or these 2000's releases either way you're in for one hell of a ride.

Kostogher (1997) and Kampen (1998) are also great records even if I think that Kampen is the weakest of the first five Arckanum full length studio albums.

A very unique band that should get more attention and in my book Arckanum are fucking amazing!!

RANKING OF ALL 13 MARDUK FULL LENGTH STUDIO ALBUMS

Like the title says I will be ranking all 13 Marduk studio albums today. Ever since I started listening to the Black Metal genre in 1994 Marduk has been one of my all time favorite bands in the scene. Still to this day after playing for 27 years (!!) they still release excellent records.

Published on my Instagram Herr_Perdition in 2 parts the albums ranked 13-7 and 6-1. It's most for fun I could probably change my mind. Okay my two least favorite ones were "easy" to pick out, even if I don't think any of these albums are bad. But there's of course better ones then the others.

However my top-2 albums will probably never change!

The ones ranked 10-7 was really hard to chose on this list. That's when I could change my mind depending on what my mood is on that day and also my 3rd favorite Marduk album.

But on this day the 13th of August 2017 this is my opinion. Since I'm only doing full length studio albums EP's that I would rank very high like the 1991 demo reissued on CD in 1994 Fuck Me Jesus definitely in my top-3 Marduk releases ever. Also the classic Here's No Peace recording from December 91 but not released until 1997 would also rank high.

Will probably never do a list of all their EP's basically because it's too hard. Check out my complete Marduk EP collection (well every release not every print version) over HERE.

Due to the text limitations that Instagram got I'll write more in depth of each and every album here.

13. La Grande Danse Macabre (2001)

First print LP on Blooddawn Productions/Regain Records limited to 1000 copies

Some record had to take the last place it was pretty easy. La Grande Danse Macabre I do like this album it has the brilliant track Azrael. Other great songs like Jesus Christ... Sodomized and Funeral Bitch. Even if I do prefer the Obedience (2000) EP version better of Funeral Bitch. The rest ain't bad but average by Marduk standards.

This was the excellent longtime drummer Fredrik Andersson last album with the band after being a member since 1993. He sure showed his skills on all the records he played on during those years and Fredrik will always be my favorite Marduk drummer.

Read more about the album here.

12. Nightwing (1998)

Reissue LP from 2016 on Osmose Productions

Nightwing have some great songs like my favorites Of Hell's Fire and Slay The Nazarene I also really like the title track Nightwing. The other ones are not on par with those awesome tracks.

Why they re-recorded Deme Quaden Thyrane I don't understand!? It was already perfect on Opus Nocturne 4 year earlier. A very strange decision in my opinion...

Still remember buying Nightwing in 1998 on CD and the bus ride back home mainly because an old friend (who introduced me to Megadeth, Slayer, King Diamond etc.) saw me with the record and he thought Black Metal was ridiculous. I didn't give a shit about his moronic opinions.

However the Nightwing album wasn't played that often back in the day. This one doesn't match the rest of their discography and hasn't aged well either.

Peter Tägtgren recorded some great albums with Marduk and the production was for the most part great. But on Nightwing the guitars are boring and overall the sound and production is very weak in my opinion. I know that some people rate this one much higher in their Marduk "best of albums" ever. Although not bad it's definitely one of my least favorite Marduk records.

11. World Funeral (2003)

First print LP on Blooddawn Production limited to 1500 copies

World Funeral might just be the most underrated album in the entire Marduk discography! Despite the fact that I only rank this album at number 11 and 3rd to last on my list.

This was the last Marduk album to be recorded with Peter Tägtgren as producer in The Abyss Studio. Even more significant the last record to feature B. War on bass after 12 years with the band and vocalist Legion last one after 8 years in Marduk.

Many have different opinions about Legion's performance with the band especially live. I think he did a great job on the albums and most of the time live. Even though I think the band needed a change both musically and their appearance/image, layout and design in order to progress. They sure got it! Already on La Grande Danse Macabre it was very evident that something needed to be "fixed".

World Funeral it's consistently good throughout and it sounds great. The highlight songs on it for me are: With Satan And Victorious Weapons; Bleached Bones; To the Death's Head True; Hearse; Blessed Unholy; Night Of The Long Knives also the instrumental Blackcrowned.

My absolute favorite on the album is Cloven Hoof. I mentioned 8 of the 11 songs so it's certainly an amazing record.

Read more about the album here.

10. Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996)

Shadow Records picture disc LP from 1997 unsure how many copies exists 300-500 (?)

Now I know that this will be a controversial choice! Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered are some peoples favorite Marduk record. I understand why because this one is fucking awesome.

Last year in December 2016 they also performed the entire album in their hometown of Norrköping as a 20th anniversary celebration of its release I guess. During 2017 they actually performed the whole album from start to finish in their live setlist on selective gigs.

This was the first Marduk album to be recorded with Peter Tägtgren in the Abyss Studio and the first one to feature Legion on vocals previously from another brilliant Swedish band Ophthalmia. It sounds awesome and all tracks are great but the ones that stands out most in my opinion are Legion; The Black Tormentor of Satan; Glorification Of The Black God; Darkness It Shall Be; Infernal Eternal and Dracul Va Domni Din Nou In Transilvania.

But I could mention all the songs on the album because that's really how outstanding this is! On another day this would probably rank much higher.

For the tour of this record Peter Tägtgren was actually the 2nd guitar player next to Morgan Håkansson and this tour spawned the great Live In Germania (1997) live album. You can see my ranking of the three Marduk live records on Instagram if you're interested in that.

Read more about the album here.

9. Dark Endless (1992)

2012 LP reissue on Century Media/Blooddawn Production limited to 1500 copies

Guess this is another "controversial" choice. I absolutely think that Dark Endless is a classic album in the genre that everyone should own. But... The production is far from not perfected even if it got an early charm of course.

It's very strange considering their demo Fuck Me Jesus & Here's No Peace also was recorded with Dan Swanö in the Unisound Studio aka. Hellspawn/Gorysound. Those recordings sounds so much more grim and harsh even if the band still had a Blackened Death Metal sound to it.

The record was released on the once great record label No Fashion Records and the album has so many great classic songs like The Black...; Departure from the Mortals; Within the Abyss; Still Fucking Dead (Here's No Peace); The Funeral Seemed To Be Endless; Dark Endless; The Sun Turns Black As Night and Holy Inquisition.

Btw. this is one of the most ugliest cover artwork in Marduk's whole album discography in my opinion. It doesn't look Black Metal at all! It has a sort of Death/Thrash Metal vibe to it. But who the hell cares when the the music is this amazing!

Read more about the album here.

8. Wormwood (2009)

First print LP limited to 700 copies released on Blooddawn Productions

This is a a fantastic album and Wormwood was the 3rd Marduk album to feature my favorite vocalist in the scene Daniel "Mortuus" Rostén (aka. Arioch of Funeral Mist & Triumphator) also this is the first record with Lars Broddesson (2006-13) on drums.

The production in bassist Davo Andersson's Endarker Studio is great and the album starts with the brilliant song Nowhere, No One, Nothing. Other outstanding tracks are Into Utter Madness and the 3 songs that reminds a bit of Funeral Mist: Unclosing the Curse; Chorus of Cracking Necks and Funeral Dawn. Other great ones are Whorecrown and Phosphorous Redeemer and altogether an awesome solid and even record.

As stated earlier Heaven Shall Burn.., Dark Endless and Wormwood was the hardest to rank. All 3 are essential in any serious Black Metal collection!

Read more about the album here.

7. Frontschwein (2015)

First print LP released by Century Media/Blooddawn Productions

Their latest album Frontschwein was released after the band had been together for 25 years. How many bands still deliver the goods after such a long time? Not many!

Maybe Darkthrone is the only band I could compare them with in terms of as many albums released and still being amazing.

Marduk sure is a unique band even if only guitarist Morgan Håkansson is the only remaining founding member since they started in 1990.

Anyway this album is an absolute monster it starts of with the great title track Frontschwein and then the awesome The Blond Beast and Afrika. Other songs I got to mention is Wartheland; Between The Wolf-Packs and 503, but the whole album is a beast and should be played from start to finish.

6. Panzer Division Marduk (1999)

2011 picture disc reissue on Blooddawn Productions

I still remember when I got Panzer Division Marduk on release day and being completely blown away by it. Still have that effect on me after 19 years later. In my opinion the best album of the "Legion era". This was the 3rd studio album with him as frontman.

I think of this as Marduk's love / hate album either you think it's awesome or you might think it's just an album where they only try to play as fast as humanly possible.

Sure one cannot go with what people think about it on Metal Archives but a 66% rating is the lowest of all Marduk full length studio albums. Come on you fucking people...

Nightwing had been I bit of a letdown according to me. On this one Peter Tägtgren and Marduk redeemed themselves with a timeless classic Black Metal album. If I were to name a few favorites songs I think that the title track Panzer Division Marduk has to be mentioned first. It's almost like their anthem song and the most played song live according to setlist.fm, don't know how accurate that is. Nevertheless a classic song.

Other brilliant songs are Baptism By Fire; 502; Fistfucking God's Planet; Christraping Black Metal; Blooddawn and Beast Of Prey. But I could mention every song on this masterpiece.

Read more about the album here,

5. Serpent Sermon (2012)

First print LP on Century Media/Blooddawn Productions

Serpent Sermon was the 4th album that the band recorded with Mortuus and Devo Andersson. Once again Marduk made an amazing record with this one. It's also one of their most balanced and even albums they ever made.

Sure it has excellent standout songs like Souls For Belial; Serpent Sermon; Temple Of Decay; Into Second Death; Messianic Pestilence etc.

It's just a pure pleasure to listen to this one from start to finish and enjoy the perfect production and songwriting. Have no complaints about this one. An extremely underrated album in the Marduk discography in my opinion.

4. Plague Angel (2004)

2018 clear LP reissue on Century Media limited to 300-500 copies (?)

Plague Angel was the first album to feature Mortuus and I think Marduk got a fresh start/reboot.

Considering what Mortuus/Arioch had accomplished with Funeral Mist and Triumphator I cannot think of a better vocalist in Marduk. Also the fact that Devo Andersson (guitarist 1992-94) returned to the band as bass player and been in the band ever since had an impact I believe.

They released Plague Angel just 1 year and 9 months after World Funeral and the band had made a huge progress in that short time.

It's still the same band but the image and music got much more intense. Just compare the promo videos from the 2 mentioned albums.

This was also the first time they used Devo Anderssons's Endarker Studio after 7 years (5 full length studio albums, 2 live albums and 3 EP's) with Peter Tägtgren in his The Abyss Studio.

It's getting really hard to pick favorite songs because this is one hell of an album without any filler material. But Seven Angels, Seven Trumpets; The Hangman Of Prague; Warschau; Throne of Rats; Perish In Flames; Steel Inferno and the collaboration with the excellent Swedish martial industrial ambient band Arditi on Deathmarch also got to be mentioned.

Read more about the album here.

3. Rom 5:12 (2007)

First print picture disc LP released on Blooddawn Production limited to 500 copies

Number 3 on the list this was also a hard choice between Plague Angel and this one but today I will pick Rom 5:12. The second studio album with Mortuus and his contribution is more present on this album then on the previous one I think.

He designed the album layout, he also has a graphic company called Holy Poison. Just like the great designs he made for Funeral Mist is's great to see in Marduk. I recommend getting the original CD release also that comes with a 44-page booklet.

Excellent songs like The Leveling Dust; Cold Mouth Prayer (feat. their former vocalist Joakim Af Gravf); Imago Mortis; Accuser/Opposer (feat. A.A. Nemtheanga on vocals from Primordial); Vanity Of Vanities; Womb of Perishableness and again a Arditi collaboration on the song 1651 are some of the highlights.

I sound like a broken record. but listen to this from start to finish! You'll get the whole experience of this dark artwork so much better that way.

Read more about the album here.

2. Those of the Unlight (1993)

Osmose Productions LP reissue from 2013

Those Of The Unlight was the second Marduk album and the second Marduk album I ever bought in 1994 on CD. An album that shouldn't need any introduction and should be in everyone's collection.

The band had really progressed from their debut and I think Dan Swanö also had grown as a producer. The Blackened Death Metal feeling on their previous Dark Endless was gone and this is just pure Swedish Black Metal magic.

I know this album inside out after listening to it so much in the 90's (and still do). Not one bad second on this record and some of the best ever Marduk songs is on this one. Like Wolves; On Darkened Wings; Burn My Coffin and Those of the Unlight.

I definitely mean ALL the other songs on Those Of The Unlight are Black Metal classics I cannot leave out songs like Darkness Breeds Immortality; A Sculpture Of The Night; Echoes From The Past and Stone Stands Its Silent Vigil. 

In 2013-14 Marduk played the full album from start to finish on some selective gigs as a 20th Anniversary of the albums release

 Although I absolutely think Wolves; On Darkened Wings; Burn My Coffin as some of their best songs it would be great if Darkness Breeds Immortality; A Sculpture Of The Night and Stone Stands Its Silent Vigil could be played more often live in their setlist.

1. Opus Nocturne (1994)

First print LP on Osmose Productions black version limited to 700 copies 

The pick for the number 1 was easy! Opus Nocturne the first Marduk album I ever bought. It has my favorite Marduk track of all times on it Sulphur Souls and my 2nd favorite The Sun Has Failed.

But not just that the production of Dan Swanö in the Unisound Studio is pure perfection. Around this time so many great records had been recorded there (I'm not going to mention any because you should know what masterpieces they are).

About Opus Nocturne I was very new into the Black Metal scene when I got this, I owned In The Nightside Eclipse by Emperor and The Somberlain by Dissection (metal of death yeah I know...).

Before I got these records my favorite bands at the time were Dismember, Morbid Angel, Kreator, Slayer, Entombed, Unleashed, Sepultura etc. So it took me awhile to understand this record just like the Emperor album did.

I immediately liked Materialized In Stone; Sulphur Souls; Opus Nocturne and The Sun Has Failed. After a couple of listens I liked From Subterranean Throne Profound: Autumnal Reaper; Deme Quaden Thyrane and Untrodden Paths (Wolves Part II).

Every song soon became a masterpiece in this "new" genre I was getting into and I would play it nonstop on repeat after understanding it completely.

Some probably think it's my nostalgia talking. Sure that's a factor. But considering Funeral Mist is my favorite band (yes even more then Marduk) my favorite albums by Marduk are still Those Of The Unlight and their grand opus being Opus Nocturne.

This record still stands the test of time it's still sounds fresh every time I listen to it. One of the best records in the whole Black Metal genre of all time. That is for sure!

Read more about the album here

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update 2019-12-02
-----------------------
So finally the updated version had begun after the long teasing. I'll definitely publish the new list over here. Haven't decided if it will be episodic like on my new Instagram account Die Warhen Marduk or as it's simply called @herr_marduk.

Anyway if you want a sneak peak at numbers 12 to 14 they can be found over here.

Today 19-12-08 numbers 9 to 11 were added over at my Instagram.


Update January 7th 2019
-------------------------------
The new post with all 14 Marduk albums is finished and will post it someday soon (which can mean 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months). Since I made this list about 1.5 years ago there is some big changes in my opinion about some of the albums. Like my favorite Legion album! Also a new last place! Alright another spoiler the top-4 is left intact.

Anyway in the meanwhile here's some links to 2 of the 3 Marduk live albums. I do own the Live In Germania (1997) and the 4 so called live official bootlegs albums and 7" releases on LP. Haven't posted those on the blog you can see them all except Live In Germania on my Instagram.

Infernal Eternal (2000)
Warschau (2005)

Update December 6th 2018
---------------------------------
I've done an updated version of all 14 Marduk albums but not posted it yet. Haven't finished all the texts for all the records.

Will probably wait to sometime in 2019 until I post it. Here's some other rankings or top lists of bands and genres. Some are quite outdated I haven't updated every post with the newest album.

Immortal
Unleashed
Dødheimsgard
Abigor
Kreator best songs
My favorite Death Metal albums

Anyway will post the new Marduk list as soon as possible in MMXIX.

Update June 30th 2018
--------------------------------

So I have had this record for 6 days now and it's still way too early for me to have a real perspective on where Viktoria will be on this list eventually. You can read more about my thoughts on it in this Viktoria post that I made.

One day I will update the list don't know when that will be, but one thing I want to say is that I prefer Viktoria over the previous 2015 album Frontschwein. Does this mean that I will put Viktoria as my number 7? Not by default. It might be there? I don't know at the time, but when I made this list almost a year ago I also overrated Frontschwein. 

Also underrated some of them. Something that was discovered when I bought some I only had on CD before upgrading them to vinyls. It also became more evident when I made blog and Instagram posts over @herr_black_metal about them. It really gave me a whole new perspective on MANY albums, not my 2 least favorite or 4 best ones though.

It's not a matter of life and death... But I've noted how many page views this post gets so I want it to be as accurate as possible.


Update May 19th 2018
-------------------------------
I've updated some of the pictures and text. Not changed any of the album order. I still think that the list represents my opinion on Marduk's discography. But I still have the ancient problem to choose between Plague Angel or Rom 5:12 as their 3rd best album.

Also Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered should have been ranked higher. I think that Wormwood and Frontschwein probably should change places. Might redo the list once the new one Viktoria will be released in about 2 months on the 22nd of June. The 2 songs that have been released from it sounds great!

Dawn of a new...

background/backdrop picture or what you want to call it. I decided to pull out some of my favorite vinyls. Because of the weird size I had to put them 3 x 6 altogether 18 albums. Are these my 18 favorite records of all time? No! Because I only choose 1 per band/artist, I also wanted to include some different genres not just Black Metal. Also in the case of Immortal I have my favorite album of theirs on vinyl "Pure Holocaust". But the "Battles In The North" cover was more fitting because of terrible light conditions when I took the picture. I also don't own all my favorite records on vinyl, sometimes only on CD. Maybe I'll redo it someday (with better light).