ALBUM REVIEW: Memento Mori – Marduk
Throughout their lengthy 33-year history, Sweden’s MARDUK have played a vital role in the development of black metal. Proficiently consistent, the Swedes’ brand of high-octane, unadulterated blast beats have been lapped up by the scene – with the likes of 1999’s Panzer Division Marduk and 2015’s Frontschwein being hailed as essential listens for the sub-genre. Now, after a five-year wait (the longest in the band’s history) the follow-up to 2018’s Viktoria is here and in Memento Mori the Swedes serve up another brash and eviscerating foray of black metal.
Memento Mori wastes absolutely no time in throwing down the gauntlet and unleashing aural carnage as the title track kicks the record off with a bang. A cacophony of blast beats, frenzied riffing and howling snarls from frontman Mortuus ignites the album and harkens back to the ferocity shown back on 1999’s classic effort. It’s all thrills and classic MARDUK. From there, the band keep the intensity white hot and further demonstrate a reminder of why they are such a revered name within black metal.
Heart Of The Funeral snaps with vicious intent over its two-and-a-half-minute runtime and is a headbanger’s dream as the riffs intertwine with the rolling thunder of Bloodhammer‘s blast beats; Blood Of The Funeral erupts with a level of speed that could threaten to break the sound barrier; and Year Of The Maggot ebbs and flows as the riffs twist and turn like an engulfing maelstrom.
It’s not all thundering speed though, as Memento Mori offers several moments where the band slow down the pace to allow the sinister atmosphere to slowly embed itself as opposed to sheer obliteration. Take Shovel Beats Sceptre for example. Here, the band utilise chiming bell tones alongside Mortuus‘ snarling vocals to conjure a hellish atmosphere, one that absolutely submerges you into its murky depths. It offers a welcome respite before a one-two punch of Charlatan and Coffin Carol resume normal aural devastation where the speed hits top gear once more.
At this point in their lengthy career, MARDUK don’t need to stray from their well-beaten path in order to reaffirm their status within black metal. Over 33 blasphemous years, the Swedes have stuck rigidly to their formula and their legacy and reputation is testament to that. Granted, Memento Mori won’t push black metal into new and uncharted waters but that was never the intent with album number 15. Sitting comfortably with their arsenal of albums, Memento Mori is another fine addition by one of the genre’s most recognisable names.
Rating: 7/10
Memento Mori is out now via Century Media Records.
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