Sunday, December 6, 2009

Marduk - Wormwood

Photobucket

Marduk, as of late, has really matured. Since the adoption of Funeral Mist frontman/only man, Arioch (Mortuus), the band has changed. Legion was accompanied by absolute brutality and unstructured repetition with Panzer Division Marduk and made a little change with World Funeral. Now with Mortuus as the frontman, latin has been used extensively and the music has a sort of orthodox feel.

The guitars take a jazz-like and bluesy feel. Tremolo picking is still used extensively, yet their are portions of songs, take Into Utter Madness for example which utilizes a melancholic like chord on the high registers. Certain songs are played slowly while the drums are played quick and intricately creating a catatonic atmosphere. Marduk has abandoned consistent blast beats and incorporated grooves and complex fills. Variation is prominent, Nowhere, No-One, Nothing begins with a simple escalating riff and converts into a bass line, while Whorecrown begins with bestial blasts and a light keyboard in the background. Mortuus has definitely created a name for Marduk with Rom 5:12 and now Wormwood. The similarities to Funeral Mist are light, with vocals and lyrics being the only thing relevant to one another. Mortuus remains possessed, his inhuman vocals are signature and at times frightening. Marduk has definitely made progress.

This is worth picking up. Marduk incorporates elements which were never used to much extent in previous albums. Groove is used tremendously among high register riffs. Bass is heard very often and actually carries a large load in a number of songs. The drumming is fast yet carries groove and intricate fills and slow patterns. Mortuus' vocals are serious, varied and wicked.

9/10

One of the best of the year.



No comments:

Post a Comment