Obedience

Marduk have released tons of outstanding songs like "Blooddawn", "The Hangman of Prague" or "Souls for Belial". The EP from 2000 does not hold such a killer and I am not quite sure whether or not it was necessary to publish these three songs as a separate product with an average, comparatively dull sound. Honestly speaking, I don't think so. Of course, quality beats quantity, but a little bit more quantity would have been fine. But regardless of the ridiculous playtime, I don't want to say that the material sucks. Only the cover version of Celtic Frost's "Into the Crypt of Rays" remains pretty unexplainable, because the Swedes do not give the song a Mardukian note. It therefore is just what it always has been, a good song from a legendary band, but - in my humble opinion - no essential classic.

The two exclusive tracks show different facets of the formation. The very aggressive, straight and predatory "Obedience" is based on the conservative verse-chorus-verse pattern and could have been the ninth number on "Panzer Division Marduk", if we leave the lyrics out of consideration. No tanks are rolling - Legion sings about bondage in a very lame way. Okay, the text is in line with the artwork, but this alone is no crucial quality feature. Anyhow, "Obedience" constitutes another frontal assault and a good song from a legendary band, but - in my humble opinion - no essential classic.

Finally, "Funeral Bitch" presents slow-moving lines and a relatively catchy chorus, but its oppressive character does not fully come into its own. It delivers a contrast to the high-speed attacks of the previous album, but unfortunately, it is not on an equal footing with the songs of their record from 1999. However, I don't want to be too harsh and therefore I say that it is a good song from a legendary band, but - in my humble opinion - no essential classic. (I don't know why, but I have the feeling that I am a little bit repetitive today... however, I guess this must be a wrong perception.)

And, yes, that's all. Less than twelve minutes of decent black metal without any extraordinary characteristics. Take it or leave it, you cannot do much wrong. The real highlights of Marduk's catalogue are hidden somewhere else, just think of "Autumnal Reaper", "Of Hell's Fire", "Narva" and many, many more.

What happens when Marduk ejaculates on sadomasochistic themes instead of pointless violence? Well, after nine months, Sweden’s mentally-challenged trolls anxiously await the birth of their special blessing, and during several hours of pushing and encouragement, “Obedience” arrives as a stable EP. However, Marduk receives some devastating news just moments later: “Obedience” is severely retarded. Stricken with lackluster genetics and many bad ideas, the degrading offspring soon enters the world of black metal, only to find itself butchered by Marduk’s one-staged ideology. I hate shitty music, and hearing this stupid EP tempts me to force freshly-brewed coffee up my colon instead of continuing the torment. It’s a gamble both you and I will enjoy taking; at least it’ll entertain, unlike these brainless recordings.

Basically, there are two originals alongside some covers, which all glory what Marduk has depended on since they lost their atmospheric edge: incoherent shrieks, constant blasting, and tremolo picking you could find anywhere else. The title track and “Funeral Bitch” are essentially slabs of those listed factors, as both exhibits easily follow the shit that plagued several full-lengths under Marduk’s moniker; boring and predictable, you’ll see them as an extra set of heads in a cloning facility. It’s quite humorous, because the soloing during each track isn’t horrible at all, yet everything else looks painfully molested beyond measure. Silly Marduk! Case in point, they proudly demonstrate why they’ve become a joke rather than an actual faction throughout these two fuck-ups, marking another low in their pathetic journey. So what’s the significance of doing this release? It has sadomasochistic lyrical topics....big fucking deal.

Next up, a few classics are given a bruised makeover. Most noticeably, Celtic Frost’s “Into the Crypts of Rays” is strapped in leather, awaiting some bloody justice while others look on in lustful delight. Yet this seems to be a place where hopeful expectations die, and Marduk continues ruining everything they touch with that detectable formula of theirs. Legion’s vocals appear poorly performed, which appropriately matches the lame riffs that have no sense of originality or comprehension; like a poor cover, nothing comes out of the result. As bad as it sounds, Marduk should have opted towards abortion once this feeble atrocity was conceived. If you disagree, ask yourself one question: what has been accomplished? Yep, that’s precisely my point.

Honestly, I’d be completely thrilled if some otherworldly force would magically erase my mind of the half-assed plods that determent goodness like it was a goddamn virus. I think “Obedience” enjoyably captures how quickly the bowels of Marduk can poison black metal while bringing shame upon great songs these idiots should have never touched; they’ve proven themselves to be utter clowns again and again, with this EP pushing the hypothesis even further. It’s a poor release, which I know is a HUGE shock, but sometimes obeying to truth is the smartest option. Ignore this bullshit, even if talentless black metal lures your sexual arousal.

This review was written for: www.Thrashpit.com

Gotta love album covers. Very rarely does the cover art go hand in hand with the content of the music, but this is an exception. If you’ve heard Marduk, you should know that an S&M-themed release means even more intensity and shock value than before. And right you are.

Maybe some people think the title track was the wrong move for Marduk, since they had released one of the fastest albums ever just one year prior to this. “Obedience”, the song, namely follows that structure. Albeit having a mid-tempo chorus, it leaves one with the impression that Marduk doesn’t want to slow down at all. Among the few but stellar riffs, the blistering drumbeats and the commanding vocals lay some great arrangements which in my opinion should have laid the groundwork for upcoming albums by these Swedes. This is their territory, and they know it like the back of their hand. If only everything had worked out like this.

Track number 2: "Funeral Bitch" is the exact opposite of "Obedience". Being very slow in tempo, the mechanical composition quickly turns this song into an excuse for proving they can write slow music. The riffs are lacking complexity on every level, the drumming is so downright “usual” it hurts, and who the hell cares about the vocals which try to trick you into believing you can sing along to this music. Apparently, they completely forgot all about the mosh-factor when they wrote this.

The last track, "Into the Crypt of Rays", is a Celtic Frost cover. It barely offers anything new, but of course they have somewhat Marduk-ized it, and let’s not forget that this is a classic. What else can be said? Great song covered by a band who know exactly what they’re doing = Enjoyable experience.

Obedience also comes in another version with a few live tracks, which can be found on many other Marduk releases, but this version supposedly comes with different cover art, so I’d definitely skip that one. If you like compositions like the ones described in this review, I can certainly recommend this to you. To the rest, check out their demos before anything else to get the proper picture of Marduk.

I have the re-issue of this Marduk album so thats the version I will review. The "new" artwork sucks hardcore compared to the "REAL" art intended for this album though. Not sure the added bonus tracks are worth the different art. No surprise this is the only Century Media release I ever wasted time picking up from band. The Live Bonus Tracks claim to of been recorded at Walbrock open air, Bergum, Holland July 1st. Also makes a mention recordings were digitally edited by Devo Andersson, rather badly in my view. I honestly don't like the sound of the live songs included. I would recommend listening to Live in Germania or even Infernal Eternal if you really wanna hear Marduk live. This might be only album I know that has Funeral Bitch live, so maybe its worth getting for that. I would rather have the original art over the live tracks probably :). If nothing else least it makes the first three songs and original versions sound lots better.

Obedience for some reason makes me think of Tormentor Anno Domini mixed with Legion in Ophthalamia. Sounds like he is saying Dominion instead of dominate, dominated, or obedience at times. Not really a great song or anything like that. Has some moments in it that sound pretty good, while other parts sound like songs I have heard before.

Funeral Bitch is probably the best song on this album scary enough. I think this version is better than the Live one they include as a bonus track. Slower than the other tracks on album with some pretty good riffs and musical parts mixed in. Not as chaotic, formless, and sloppy like several of their later Legion songs either. Sounds better than most of the stuff they produced in the Century Media days too. Still a Far Cry from Those of The Unlight and Opus Nocturne albums though.

Into The Crypts of Rays is not really a bad cover song in many ways. Problem really for me is the vocals are sub par to average for the most part. The start of the song is done really well, fools me into thinking its the real version :). The musical parts are basically sped up and a bit heavier than the original version. Still it sounds much better than any of the bonus tracks included. If you were not a fan of Celtic Frost vocals on original then this song is one you might enjoy more.

US Release bonus tracks:
Baptism By Fire(Live) is not really a good song or anything to speak of. "Are You Ready For Pure Satanic OverKill?" is the highlight of this track. What comes next is basically butchered muffled mayhem mixed with a few good riffs. Really nothing amazing or groundbreaking can be heard in this entire song. Seems when talking at start and fans at end of songs all sounds right. Yet when the main songs start its like the volume gets switched low. Perhaps when they mixed this album they played with the levels in parts of the songs. I would say this song is the most lacking of all on the album, sounds like a bad version "Of Hells Fire". Pretty much 4:11 of time I could of done without hearing to be honest.

Funeral Bitch(Live) this song has a great dedication to the mass amounts of females in the audience. Thats sadly probably the best sounding part of the entire song. Almost like after he spoke they flipped a button so they would sound muffled or just not quite right. Just seems like the sound quality drops off or something when song starts up. If you hear this ever, listen to even the Bass around start before talking to fans. Then tell me what happend to that sound when things start up. Maybe the production wasn't good on these tracks, or the band just wasn't sounding their best. Still with that said this is probably the best live song on here. Lasting for about 4 minutes in time.

Dracole Wayda(Live) is a pretty good song, just I don't really like the live version on here much. The singing can barely be heard well most of the time. Seems like the music just overwhelms it or was mixed badly. When you can even hear the music since it seems castrated and lacking in life. Almost makes me wonder if the sound on live tracks was sabatoged on purpose. Anyways this song persists for about 4:13 before coming to a mercyful end.

I don't really think any of the songs on here are good enough to carry an entire album. As for Marduk Mini CDs, I would get Fuck Me Jesus, Here's No Peace, and even Glorification before ever considering this album. If you just wanna hear good Legion with Marduk then try Heaven Shall Burn or Nightwing. Some bands sound better live, on this album Marduk isn't one of them. All things considered the first three tracks on here are pretty decent. Shame the live songs did not have better production and mixing or this might of been a pretty good effort. Basically all things considered I give this album a 76, especially factoring in that the live bonus tracks were not included on original.