REVIEW: MARDUK - LA GRANDE DANSE MACABRE

 

MARDUK - LA GRANDE DANSE MACABRE (Blooddawn prods. / Regain Recs., 2001):

Technical Data:

Recorded at Abyss Studios

Recorded and Mixed by Tommy Tägtgren. Produced by Marduk

Graphic Design by Roger Forslund

Track List : 1 - Ars moriendi, 2- Azrael, 3- Pompa Funebris 1660, 4- Obedience Unto Death, 5- Bonds of Unholy Matrimony, 6- La Grande Danse Macabre, 7- Death Sex Ejaculation, 8- Funeral Bitch, 9- Summer End, 10- Jesus Christ...Sodomized.

The CD starts slowly...Slowly? Marduk slowly? Yes !! The intro called "Ars Moriendi" is a really melodic and doom like way to begin the CD. But this only lasts a couple of minutes before getting in to the sonic avalanch of "Azrael". What has always amazed me of Marduk but more on each album is their capability of being chaotic and extremely technical at the same time adding more than simple aggression and speed to their songs (B War is one of the best black metal bass players, adding a lot of arrangements to Marduk´s music and the band is really tight and professional). The two instrumental tracks here show this and also a future classical "La Grande Danse Macabre". Obviously this will make short minded people and assholes alike to scream that Marduk have sold out but the fact is that they get better every time without limiting themselves. Favorite tracks: "La Grande Danse Macabre", " Bonds of Unholy Matrimony", and "Azrael". Contact: www.marduk.nu or regain@telia.com