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Marduk: Panzer Division Marduk

Oten hailed as the greatest album in the Marduk cannon by many a fan, 1999's Panzer Division Marduk is a relentless assault on the senses from start to finish. While the nonstop brutality is impressive, and obviously has struck a chord with many fans, much of the variety that this black metal war machine introduced on albums like La Grande Danse Macabre, Rom 5:12, World Funeral, Nightwing, and Those of the Unlight, seems to be missing here in favor of similar tempos and repetitive riffs. Much of the material here tends to sound the same, but that's not to say that there aren't some classic Marduk songs on Panzer Division Marduk. "Baptism By Fire". "Christraping Black Metal", and "Beast of Prey" are furious, pummeling examples of the genre at its most ferocious, and the insanely fast, blast beat hysteria that is the title track still remains a concert favorite to this day. At just under 30 minutes though, this one's over before you know it, as the raging tremelo picked riffs, pummeling blast beats, and Legion's insanely evil vocals finally die down just under the half hour mark. Marduk packed more riffs and blasts into this short span of time than most bands do in their entire career, but in the end, while it's no doubt an impressive affair, this one's a tad too pummeling and repetitive for it's own good. Unless you like this sort of non-stop brutality, if you are new to the music of Marduk, you might want to start with one of the releases mentioned above then give this one a shot.

Regain Records' 2008 reissue of Panzer Division Marduk adds in a few bonus tracks, the pummeling "Deathride", which is a relentless number in its own right, though sounding a tad similar to many of the songs on the original album, and "Todeshessel Liurland", which follows a similar path. Also included is a fan video of "Panzer Division Marduk", as well as different packaging, including a much thicker booklet with lyrics and gruesome war images. Gone this time around are any photos of the band, and the cover is slightly different. Does this reissue warrant another purchase? For many, the two bonus tracks might be a good selling point, but I'll let all you Marduk fans be the judge. If you've never owned Panzer Division Marduk before, now's the time to make it happen.


Track Listing
1. Panzer Division Marduk
2. Baptism By Fire
3. Christraping Black Metal
4. Scorched Earth
5. Beast Of Prey
6. Blooddawn
7. 502
8. Fistfucking God's Planet
9. Deathride-bonus
10. Todeshessel Liurland-bonus
11. Fan Made Video: Panzer Division Marduk-bonus

Added: August 17th 2009
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Marduk Website
Hits: 3637
Language: english

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» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:

Marduk: Panzer Division Marduk
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2009-08-17 18:37:01
My Score:

Often cited as perhaps the bands most seminal work, "Panzer Division Marduk" is a throttling and relentless example of True Swedish Black Metal that rarely slows its pace to give the listener a chance to breath. The release was the bands sixth album and unlike its predecessors keeps a continued pace and speed which do at times make it a little difficult to discern where one tune ends and another begins. With Black Metal that is not always a bad thing but for someone like myself, I enjoy the periodic tempo and groove changes much more than some of my fellow listeners might. Pure aggression and purpose are par for the course with this kind of material and while Marduk excels at the format, I love when the bands change it up just a little to keep it interesting and better showcase their musicianship. This is angrier than hell stuff and not for the weak spirited listener by any means. It begins with the albums title track that sets you up for the lightning fast ride that is about to proceed and even though they are hitting the sixth recording with this originally released in 1999 album, they had not strayed far from their malicious intent in terms of the subject matter that they are addressing. Tracks like "Christraping Black Metal" and "Fistfucking God's Planet" would be clear examples of this point. Favorites for me came with "Beast Of Prey" and the two bonus tracks that the remastered edition offers us "Deathride" and "Todeskessel Kurland". Singer Legion sounds as if his very black soul is at stake for a good majority of the piece and while intense as hell on the drum kit; we don't get a lot of experimentation from Fredrik Andersson who pretty much keeps it to blistering speed blast beats.

If you don't have this one already then the remastered edition is the way to go because not only do you get and additional two audio tracks but you get a fan filmed video and a very comprehensive booklet with lots of art and lyrics inside of it. There are no real photos of the band per se which would have been nice but one cannot have everything. The book spans a massive 34 pages in the end and depicts very grim images of war and the toll that it takes. Not for the timid as we had mentioned earlier. The album from beginning to end is an attack on the senses and its major downside is in how fast it careens by you. I think the whole release spanned about thirty plus minutes when it came down to it. I recommend this album as a first go to release for those who seek a solid representation about what Marduk brings to the table and how important they are for the Black Metal genre as a whole. The band is currently active but with a number of different members from this recording.


» Reader Comments:

Marduk: Panzer Division Marduk
Posted by Timmy Tomkins on 2022-02-05 02:20:48
My Score:

A one trick pony that scratches the itch every so often when I'm in the mood for it. Far from Marduk's best album for sure - Opus Nocturne, Nightwing, and Rom 5:12 being the top 3 by a good stretch IMO. Nice review - pretty much on target.




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