Maximum Metal Rating Legend

MARDUK- Plague Angel Candlelight 2005

Track Listing 01. The Hangman Of Prague 02. Throne Of Rats 03. Seven Angels, Seven Trumpets 04. Life’s Emblem 05. Steel Inferno 06. Perish In Flames 07. Holy Blood,Holy Grail 08. Warschau 09. Deathmarch 10. Everything Bleeds 11. Blutrache

Marduk is a band that should need no introduction. They've been at the top of the extreme metal heap for years and after numerous member changes still remain one of the most impressive bands to these ears. The big question for "Plague Angel" with yet another huge line-up makeover was how new singer Mortuus was going to sound compared to the departed Leigon. After a short-lived intro it takes but a few seconds to realize the new vocalist was more than up to the task. He proves with ease that he is quite capable of delivering the evil anthems during the high speed assault but it was the eerie delivery during the few slowed down tunes that actually won me over.

Losing key members certainly didn't hurt this album because the new version of Marduk comes out all guns blazing. Whoever complained at World Funeral's slightly slowed down pace better be taking notice because the majority of this disc is lightning fast and blistering. The drumming contained on this album is nothing short of mind boggling. Emil Dragutinovic simply destroys the kit, commanding your attention from start to finish with a highly impressive performance.

I was not one of those who disliked the slower, anthem-like approach to some tunes on the last album. The well placed, grinding tunes on Plague Angel really help the album's dynamics as a whole, standing strong against the ungodly fast cuts that dominate the disc. Add in the war-themed instrumental "Death March" with a demonic choir and marching war horns and you have a release that easily realizes the vision band founder Morgan conjured for this stellar album.

--Axeman 4.26.05