Review by Ben for Marduk - Opus Nocturne (1994)

One of the better Marduk albums, filled with the pure venom we expect, but with better song writing.

This was the first Marduk album I ever purchased, and I have to say it could very well be my favourite. The production is a little strange, with the guitars and vocals being quite low in the mix, but somehow it comes together nicely and doesn't stop the album from being immensely entertaining. Opus Nocturne sits very neatly beneath the rather melodic black metal of Those of the Unlight and the more clinical all-out assault of later albums. It still contains hugely memorable melodies along with masses of blastbeats and black metal brutality, which is why I prefer this release over some of their more one dimensional blastfests such as Panzer Division Marduk.

The fact that I can hear bassist B. War almost the entire time is rather refreshing for a black metal band in this style. Of course, I'd rather Morgan's guitars be a little more upfront, but it gives the album a unique feel and atmosphere. Andersson's drumming is completely amazing as you'd expect for any Marduk album really and vocalist Joakim Af Gravf does a fantastic job with his raspy and evil style perfectly complimenting the album's sound. But while all this musicianship is top notch, it's the song writing that puts Opus Nocturne above most the band’s other releases. They slow down for both Materialized in Stone and the title track without losing any of their sting and several of these tracks are so memorable, I can pick them within just a few seconds.

Opus Nocturne is obviously essential for anyone into these Swedish legends, but it's also worth checking out for those of you that can't get into their modern work. If you like Dissection, then you'll probably enjoy this too as it certainly holds some of the melodic sensibilities of their countrymates, while also containing a fair bit more venom. Highlight tracks are From Subterranean Throne Profound, Autumnal Reaper, Opus Nocturne and the incredible Untrodden Paths (Wolves Part II) which could very well be my favourite Marduk track.