Review: Marduk

Marduk
““La Grande Danse Macabre””
(Century Media)

It says here, “Marduk was formed out of guitarist Morgan Hakansson’s desire to create the most blasphemous music ever experienced.”  I’m not sure what that means exactly, but the last track on this M’arduk album is called “Jesus Christ… Sodomized.”  As if being sodomized is somehow worse than being crucified.  “Hmm?” pondered Jesus, “Nails through both of my hands and feet, a crown of thorns and a spear jammed into my gut while I hang on a board nailed to a tree or… what was the other option?  A penis inserted into my anus and shoved in and out a few times?  That’s a toughie, but I think I’ll go with the penis.”  And who wouldn’’t go with the penis, really?  It can’t be that bad.  Lots of people even seem to like it.  Lots of people even seem to like Marduk.  Interestingly enough, I am one of them.  It’s one hundred percent Black Metal for Black Metal purists.  Snarling powerful vocals.  Shredding fast rip ‘em up bass, plenty of furious blasting drum parts and ample gothic moody passages ala the Marché Funebre.  There is nothing extraneous to the mix.  No organs, no mandolins, and no bagpipers bagpiping confuse this straightforward assault of muddle brained satanic buffoonery and sharp well-written songs.  You know what you’re getting at every turn, but isn’t that corporate chain store philosophy?  Every McDonald’s should serve up the same identical deep fried molded chicken chunks as every other McDonald’s.  No surprises and none expected.  That’s Marduk.  A name you can count on.  Music that satisfies.