Review MARDUK ‘Memento Mori’

For five long years Marduk fans had to wait for new stuff and now it’s finally done. ‘Memento Mori’ sees the light of day and reminds everyone that existence is finite. Compared to the past output of the Swedes, this is a pretty simple and indisputable statement, think of the discussion of e.g. ‘Viktoria’. Also the artwork is not ambiguous this time and it seems that the band, after kicking out bassist Lindholm after his undisguised escapades, finally wants to focus on the music again.

Musically there is not too much new to mention about ‘Memento Mori’. Right at the beginning, on the title track, the guys press the pedal to the metal with massive blast beats, while frontman Mortuus screams his head off. Also in the following two songs Marduk change little in this basic direction and fans of the earlier Marduk will be delighted.

A change is signaled by ‘Shovel Beats Sceptre’. Already the oppressive intro distinguishes the song from the first three tracks and this continues. ‘Shovel Beats Sceptre’ is a slower paced tune and the inserted bell sounds give the track an effect of a hellish grin in the background. Even if the furiously fast songs are Marduk’s trademark, it is this tune that crushes everything in its way with its relentless power.

After that, however, it resumes with the speed and firepower of a machine gun. Marduk are pounding their way through the album in their usual fashion and don’t compromise on songs like ‘Coffin Carol’ and ‘Year of the Maggot’.

Only on the closing ‘Are We Are’ Marduk step off the gas pedal a bit again. The mid-tempo track waltzes out of the speakers with all its vigor and impresses with some samples. These are never dominant, but give the 5-minute closing track a special vibe.

Marduk have actually done everything right on ‘Memento Mori’. The furious blast beats are the foundation, mid-tempo songs give the album a good flow and thus nothing stands in the way of a morbid listening enjoyment, because remember – ‘Memento Mori’.