One of the defining features of Marduk is the hellish attribute that keeps the spirit of the band going for a long time. The new album is determined by the stellar performance and the songwriting qualities. The songs have an ominous atmosphere and the sheer instrumentation provides a backdrop to enhance the feeling of darkness. From the opening title track “Memento Mori” the thundering peal of the scorching riffs scourge the listener with the brutal and ruthless artillery of the drums.

Vocalist Daniel Rostén A.K.A. Mortuus has never sounded this great since he joined the band in 2004. With his full-throated demonic snarls capturing the menace of the blazing tremolo-picked riffs and the unleashing ferocity of the blasting drums flawlessly handled by Simon Schilling perfectly filling the role of the former drummer Fredrik Widigs. The album features plenty of mid-tempo and fast-paced tracks like “Heart of The Funeral” which balances between the striking drums and hail storm of tremolos offering an impeccable majestic fury. Throughout the album, Marduk mercilessly unveils unprecedented aggression and powerful integrity, delivering an outstanding sonic performance showcasing fierce drumming between the rapturous tempos and the devastating riffing on “Blood Of The Funeral”.

The squealing riffing at the beginning of the song shifts into sudden ferocity and immediately strikes your ears with such intensity. While the vocals are laden with demonic growls forging violent and blood-chilling bestiality that invokes the demonic spirits of hell.

Songs like “Shovel Beats Sceptre” and “Charlatan” brimming with sheer originality and overwhelming talent that crown Marduk as the greatest master of its craft. The slow tempos are hellish and nothing short of amazing, and the guitars are full of catchiness that makes you nod your head to the grand mastery of the riffing. There is no lack of dynamism or creativity in the song structure. While the guitar work shines with plenty of venomous tremolos, the lead guitars are vibrant and full of hooks that ultimately boast classic black metal melodies.

The opening riff of the track “Coffin Carol” immediately haunts my memory for sounding similar to the song “Fistfucking God’s Planet”. The fiery burst of the blazing tremolos recaptures the 90s era of the band, the song itself is reminiscent of “Panzer Division Marduk” album. The scathing aggression of the hyper-fast percussion is the true embodiment of the classic sound of the second wave of black metal. The musical formula is bolstered by the aggressive artillery of hyper-fast blast beats, the most effective key elements of the song emphasize the tremolo riffing and combining them with the hellish infernal melodies.

In the band’s lengthy discography “Memento Mori” settles itself as one of Marduk’s best works after the 2015 album “Frontschwein”. The trio delivers unforgettable performances, showing how they can craft a perfect soundtrack for sonic warfare. “Marching Bones” takes you straight into the gates of hell and sees the band unfolding impressive tremolo riffing, machine gun fire, and the feral growls that drive the furious energy of the band. “Memento Mori” is, without doubt, one of Marduk’s most memorable albums, Morgan Håkansson possesses incredible speed and technical ability, and they flawlessly match Daniel Rostén’s snarls which are menacingly sharp as the tremolo barrages.

The incorporated traits of raw aggression, brutality, and melodies focus on the versatility that makes the album sound sinister. The album’s ten tracks, including “Year Of The Maggot” and “Red Tree Of Blood” maintain the extreme pace without compromising the hellish bombardment of the drums. Not to mention the ambient segments that bring an unsettling and menacing atmosphere throughout the album’s run time.

The closing epic track “As We Are” sees the band venturing into the ambient industrial domains, with unique guitar arrangements and loud beating drums pounding relentlessly, Marduk triggers a cinematic showdown. What makes this song so unique and memorable is the outstanding guitar work that centers on dark riffs and the ominous melodies that contrast with the blackened growls.

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