If there's one thing you can always count on in extreme metal, it's those Swedish black metal annihilators Marduk delivering a new platter of blistering aggression every few years that might not offer variance from the release before but still kicks major ass. Serpent Sermon is their latest grab bag of blast beat mania, tremelo picked madness, and Satan spewing violence, as only Marduk can deliver. Fans of their previous full-length CD Wormwood will find lots to love here on this one, as the formula basically stays the same (when has it not?) and the band delivers yet another batch of lethal black metal.
Lead vocalist Mortuus has really developed over the years and become an integral part of the bands sound. "Souls for Belial" is a perfect example of just what he brings to the table for Marduk, as he offers up a wide variety of agonizing screams, tortured growls, and evil rasps over the relentless riffs from band leader Morgan. Drummer Lars Broddesson drives the blast beat frenzied "Into Second Death", Messianic Pestilence" and the blazing title track, while "Temple of Decay" contains some of the albums most ferocious riffs courtesy of Morgan, as torrents of tremelo picked notes come pouring at the listener with Mortuus' gravelly vocals floating over the top of it all. If it's the 'speed of light' Marduk that you crave circa their Panzer Division Marduk era, look no further than " Damnation's Gold", "M.A.M.M.O.N.", and "Gospel of the Worm", three tracks towards the back end of the CD that offer relentless blasting and furious riffs. Lengthy closer "World Of Blades" gives another peek into the mid-paced, grinding style that Marduk have dipped into on the last few releases, steeped in atmosphere and textures.
No real surprises here on Serpent Sermon, but as with most of Marduk's discography, it's quality Swedish black metal all the way.
Track Listing
1. Serpent Sermon
2. Messianic Pestilence
3. Souls for Belial
4. Into Second Death
5. Temple of Decay
6. Damnation's Gold
7. Hail Mary (Piss-soaked Genuflexion)
8. M.A.M.M.O.N.
9. Gospel of the Worm
10. World of Blades
1. Serpent Sermon (4:38)
2. Messianic Pestilence (2:50)
3. Souls For Belial (4:45)
4. Into Second Death (5:11)
5. Temple Of Decay (5:25)
6. Damnation's Gold (6:48)
7. Hail Mary (Piss-Soaked Genuflexion) (3:27)
8. M.A.M.M.O.N. (3:29)
9. Gospel Of The Worm (2:37)
10. World Of Blades (7:09)
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