Marduk "Viktoria" Album Review

Sweden’s Marduk is back with their follow up to 2015's Frontschwein. Known for their military focused lyrics and unrelenting musicianship, Marduk has brought forth Viktoria to the world. The band consists of original guitarist Morgan “Evil” Hakansson, longtime guitarist “Devo” Andersson, and vocalist “Mortuus” Rosten. Drummer Fredrik Widigs who played on Frontschwein returns to the band's ranks for yet another story of tanks, death, and World War 2. Across nine tracks, Marduk shows off why they’re one of the most renowned black metal bands today.

Viktoria kicks off with the lead single, “Werwolf.” Sirens ablaze and a ripping black metal riff and double bass from Widigs. The opening track sounds like something more along the lines with earlier Marduk than anything they've released in the past 10 years. The main riff doesn't let up and neither does the double bass. The song is simple but powerful, showing off the power that Marduk have. Probably the most interesting part is the chorus part which features almost haunting choir-like vocals chanting the word “werewolf." You can hear right off the bat, without a doubt, this is a return to form for Marduk.



The next few songs, “June 44” and the second single from the album, “Equestrian Bloodlust” are very similar. “Equestrian Bloodlust” is another short few minute song that refuses to let up on the speed once it gets going. “June 44” on the other hand does have a bit more melody during its chorus. “Tiger I” stands out as a much more melodic track than you normally hear from Marduk. Lyrically the song focuses around the terror of the Panzer VI Tiger I German tank---nothing surprising to anyone familiar with Marduk. The melody though is almost haunting, telling to terror this tank brought in World War II. The pacing, while much slower than anything else on the album, is perfect for headbanging and chanting along. Many of the verses end with a commanding yell instead of Mortuus’ regular vocals, sounding like a German general instead of a black metal vocalist.

The last stand out track is the title track, which actually just had a music video released for it. The eponymous song mixes a lot of the elements from earlier songs. The main riffs are vicious but add a little bit more melodic flair to them instead of staying plainly consistent. The chorus and bridge on the other hand, slow down a lot more to a pace much closer to that of “Tiger I”. The fast-slow-fast sort of formula that Marduk use in “Vickoria” works incredibly well to make the song unpredictable and created incredible contrast in the instrumentals.

Marduk returns to form, Viktoria is what the fans have been asking for. More military/World War-based black metal from a band renowned for it. Viktoria is much more in line with that of Panzer Division Marduk than the past few albums they've released. A true black metal monster. While short, spanning a total of 33 minutes, this is an unrelenting slab of music. Marduk show even after 28 years, they’re still on top.