Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Marduk
Title
Viktoria
Type
LP/EP
Company
Century Media
YOR
2018
Style
Black
Band / Release Notes
Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first album in 1992. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon.
6/6/2018 - Review by: David Loveless
Ferocious war-driven metal from black metal veterans!
For nearly 30 years, Marduk has been one of the forerunners of the Swedish Black Metal scene. Taking a fast, aggressive and brutal approach to their songwriting, you can always expect something entertaining from them. Although they've had a few misses in their discography, most of their 14 full-length albums are very praise worthy. On their 14th album, 'Viktoria', they keep it short and to the point. With just 9 songs and clocking in at 33 minutes, Marduk wastes no time with their audio assault on songs such as "June 44", "Narva", "The Last Fallen", as well as the title track. The slower songs, "Tiger I", "Werwolf", and "Silent Night" are equally punishing and very well written. Morgan pulls out all the stops and overloads us with a barrage of riffs and Mortuus proves--yet again--that he's the most dominant vocalist that Marduk has ever had. Although the album cover is very lackluster, 'Viktoria' is a definite album of the year contender for me.
Recommended for fans of: brutal and aggressive black metal
PERSONAL BREAKDOWN:

ENJOYMENT
5
MUSIC
5
VOCALS
5
PRODUCTION
4.5
ARTWORK
2
LYRICS
4


6/6/2018 - Review by: Greg Watson
A disappointing effort from one of black metal's more infamous groups
I've not been a big fan of Marduk's albums over the last 20 years but there have been some decent efforts from the band in that time span. 'Viktoria' though is not one of them. The album is just pretty flat, even compared to 2015's 'Frontschwein' which though receiving high praise was just mediocre to me. It feels pretty uninspired, as if the band is just sort of going through the motions and didn't really have their essence invested in this one. I'll stick to "'Opus Nocturne' and the albums prior for my Marduk fix. Don't spend too much money on this one or expect a return to the old days, I think that ship has sadly sailed at this point.
PERSONAL BREAKDOWN:

ENJOYMENT
2
MUSIC
1.5
VOCALS
2
PRODUCTION
2
ARTWORK
1
LYRICS
2


  • 2 :REVIEW COUNT
    3.5 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: MARDUK
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Dark Endless
2007
Regain
Etiam9/19/2011
3
Frontschwein
2015
Century Media
David Loveless2/6/2015
4.5
Nightwing
2008
Regain
Etiam5/3/2012
3
Opus Nocturne
1994
Regain
Etiam6/25/2008
3
Plague Angel
2005
Candlelight
Axeman4/29/2005
-
Rom 5:12
2007
Blooddawn Productions
David Loveless9/28/2007
3
Those of the Unlight
1993
Regain
Etiam4/25/2008
3
Viktoria
2018
Century Media
David Loveless6/6/2018
5
Viktoria
2018
Century Media
Greg Watson6/6/2018
2
Warschau
2005
Blooddawn Productions
Etiam10/31/2008
2

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: MARDUK
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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