Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
MARDUK NAILS THIS TO THE CROSS, June 28, 2007
I WAS JUST BLOWN AWAY OF THE FIRST LISTEN TO THE MASTERPIECE.I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT MARDUK WAS GOING TO PUT OUT THIS TIME? MORTUUS VOKILLS MATCH THE TONE AND FORMAT OF THE ALBUM PERFECTLY! I AM A DIE HARD MARDUK FAN PAST PESENT AND FUTURE,IM SURE LEGION HIMSELF WOULD AGREE THAT THIS CD KICKS MAJOR BLK METAL BUTT TOTALLY...THERE ARE SLOW AND FAST TEMPO TRACKS.AND THIS PROVES ONCE AND FOR ALL THAT MARDUK CAN DO ANYTHING THEY WANT WITH OUT PLAYING 1000S OF MPH TO BE GOOD.THEY RULE LIVE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.AND THIS NEW RELEASE WILL PUT THE DOUBTERS IN THERE PLACE FOR SURE...AS A DEATH BLK FAN THIS CD WONT DISAPPOINT BUY IT AND ENJOY WHAT PURE BLK METAL AGRESSION AND POWER IS ALL ABOUT....HAILS MARDUK
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
(4.5 stars) Marduk at their peak, April 7, 2008
If you claim to know anything about extreme metal, then you know Marduk. They're an influential Swedish black metal quartet that has been terrorizing the neighborhood since the early Nineties with overtly Satanic subject matter, vile vocals, blazing tempos, blistering guitars, and, most famously, breakneck drumming. With that said, do not be too quick to assume that you already know what to expect from their tenth and newest full-length. Marduk's same basic sound may be the same, but "Rom 5:12" also varies the formula a bit by adding a good fair amount of undeniable nuance, depth, tempo variation, and more intelligent, developed songwriting and sophisticated song structures.
There are ten songs presented on this album, and exactly half of them find Marduk stepping outside of their comfort zone and expanding their horizons significantly with new (and dare I say "experimental?") ideas. The first of which, "The Levelling Dust," boasts a good, juicy, mid-tempo, and even quite catchy thrash riff, deft, thumping drums, and extremely vile and acidic vocals from Mortuus, making it a strong opener. Track three, "Imago Mortis," slows the album's pace down considerably with a basic drum beat, slow, slithering, groove-oriented guitar line, and absolutely crawling tempo. Needless to say, it is a terrifically ominous piece, and one that chills the listener to the bone. Next, the brilliant use of a rhythmic, martial drum beat, haunted church-ish organ, and moody, classic-sounding keyboards (which are simultaneously soothing and mildly unsettling) make "1651" equally as dark and spooky. Finally, "Accuser / Opposer" and "Womb of Perishableness" are also both quite restrained, and are backed by fat, churning, stop-start riffs that drone on and on. The former tune is also of note for its strategically-placed use of atmospheric Latin chants (at the end); and the latter for its strong, persistent bass line.
Fear not, though, longtime fans -- the rest of the material on display here is classic Marduk. "Cold Mouth Prayer," which includes guest vocals from former member Joakim Gothberg, is a ferocious, bludgeoning, rip-roaring statement-of-intent. Its surging, searing, wall-of-sound guitars, and furious, pummeling blast beats should fill doctors' offices around the world with patients who need a neck brace. "Through The Belly Of Damnation" (which is highlighted by truly mindblowing hyperblasts), "Limbs Of Worship," "Vanity Of Vanities," and the closing "Voices From Avignon" all follow suit later on by ripping with vengeance and unleashing a murderous, scorched earth attack that is positively skull-crushing. But even these classic Marduk-esque blasters come across as somewhat new and refreshing -- it's clear that the band are as hungry as ever, and it sounds as if they might even have something to prove. As a result, these songs are quite a bit more memorable than what was heard on earlier albums.
"Rom 5:12" is easily Marduk's best and most expansive, accomplished, varied, original, well-rounded, and memorable effort to date. It isn't exactly a groundbreaking album, but it does rank right alongside 2007's finest black metal releases (it's definitely in the top three), and all modern black metal in general. And it sure isn't guaranteed to change the mind of anyone who isn't already a devoted Marduk follower, but all aficionados of the band (and genre) will readily eat it up.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jesus Loves You Useless Corpse, March 23, 2009
A pleasant listening experience, a very pleasant listening experience. With Marduk you're never quit sure what you'll get: La Grande Danse Macabre, World Funeral, Plague Angel or Panzer Division Marduk. Although the sound may very, you can be sure that buying a Marduk album is buying a one way ticket to HELL. If those Judeo Bible pushers are right, and this will send me to hell, I'm proud to back my bags and be on my way.
From the moment the album starts to moment it finishes, Rom 5:12 is an assault. An assault on your eardrums, an assault on society, and an assault on tradition. This album pounds and pummels you until you can't possibly take anymore, and when it's over, somehow, you push play again. The songs are fast, intense and have lot's of depth. Someway, somehow, after all these years, Marduk manages to gear up and sound fresh all over again. No matter how many times I listen to this album it never gets old. Every time I listen to it (in the headphones) I hear something new: A bell, A whistle, A growl, something.
Bottom Line: This album is a must have. If you're a fan of Marduk, you will not be disappointed. If you're not a fan, this album might make you one, or at least give you a reason to have some Marduk in your collection.
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