Marduk in 2007 bears little resemblance to the band that put out World Funeral. Apart from band leader and visionary Morgan Hakansson, the rest of the band has been replaced. The band has a new vocalist in the form of Mortuus who is if anything even more guttural and harsh than ex-vocalist Legion.

Marduk sound more pure Black Metal on this album than they have in a long time. The cold atmospheric guitar riffing of “Heaven Shall Burn” is back, and the band has dropped the slight leaning towards Death Metal that they showed on World Funeral.

The songs are all quite long and nicely structured with opening song “The Leveling Dust” starting the album in a blaze of furious black metal riffing. After this though, it’s not all warp speed. The band has slowed down and added more dynamics to their song writing particularly on the lengthy “Imago Mortis.” Elsewhere on the album, the old, ripping, full on aggression of the band is superbly captured in the songs “Through The Belly Of Damnation” and “Cold Mouth Prayer.”

Morgan Hakansson’s guitar work through out the album is top class and the songs work superbly. Drummer Lars Broddesson blast beats like its going out of fashion and he’s ably supported by bass player Magnus "Devo" Andersson who both hold up the bottom end remarkably well. Still at the end of the day what makes this album a bit special is the superior song writing and the superb vocal performance by Mortuus.

Marduk, after being around for as long as they have still manage to release an album that’s fresh and contemporary sounding. This album will blow your socks off if you’re an old Marduk fan and at the same time is a terrific starting point if you’ve never heard this band before.

Marduk – Rom 512

Label – Blooddawn

Year Of Release – 2007