Marduk — Viktoria (2018)

intothewellsabyss
Jun 22, 2023
2 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

5 years ago today, “the sirens of war sounded once more”!

On this day (June 22) in 2018, Marduk released their fourteenth full-length studio album, “Viktoria” via Century Media Records.

The album's lyrics follow in a similar vein to some of their previous albums, focusing on historical World War II lyrical themes. It is the band's last album to feature bassist Magnus "Devo" Andersson and drummer Fredrik Widigs.

Overview:

Like with Death earlier, there is not much that can be said about Marduk that has not been said already. With thirteen previous releases under their belts in their nearly 30 years in the scene, they have already achieved, good or bad, the infamy that has been bestowed upon them. “Viktoria”, the bands fourteenth full-length release launched just three years post-“Frontschwein” (2015), finds itself unfolding as its forerunner had concluded; with air-raid warnings. YES, “Viktoria” finds Marduk dabbling in themes of WWII once again. And If anything, “Viktoria's” concept proves that Marduk are nothing, if not consistent. If you are looking for something different from these Black Metal icons, you won’t find it here, as the band do not deviate far from their tried and true formula. What you will find is that “Viktoria” offers nothing less than premeditated, persistent, violent and vicious discharges of relentless Black Metal bliss. And, I wouldn’t ask for anything more. — E.N. Wells

Noteworthy:

In April 2018, targeted by a supposed anti-fascist group, Mortuus and then-drummer Fredrik Widigs were accused of allegedly purchasing items from the Nordic Resistance Movement (NMR), a Swedish neo-Nazi organization, following the publication of alleged sale records for various purchases, which included Mortuus and Widigs' real names, personal email addresses, and shipment records addressed to each member's home address. Marduk denied these claims on their official Facebook page stating, "No Marduk member has ordered anything from the website in question, or ever had any form of interaction with the organisation operating it. This is all we have to say about the matter."

Viktoria Tour:

Marduk toured extensively the US, Europe, Russia and Asia in support of Viktoria, dubbing the tours Viktoria Over Europa, Over Russia, Over Asia, and so on. They played many festivals during 2018 and 2019. Below you can see the gallery featuring fliers/posters from many of the shows during the tour.

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to the “Viktoria” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/viktoria/1374598334

Click this link to watch the official music video for the title track, “Viktoria”: https://youtu.be/3V1I9XyB4-E

Click this link to follow Marduk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mardukofficial

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells