Best Metal Albums of 2009 #5 Marduk - Wormwood (Regain Records)

Marduk are one of the most extreme black metal bands in existence. Purposefully setting out to be the most blasphemous band in the world, Marduk have come pretty close to reaching that goal by centering their lightening fast music around themes of Satanism and Nazi Germany (although the band is not NSBM). In the past their music was a singular juggernaut of violence with very little differentiation. Not that this was a bad thing, but if you didn't like the ripping buzz of black metal you were not going to find much in Marduk. Well, Marduk have aged, and like most aging bands they have mellowed, and by mellow I mean they still play at lightening fast speeds, sing about evil incarnate and generally provide for one of the most transgressive listens out there, but they have also fashioned a much more dynamic sound on "Wormwood," their 11th studio album to date, and I would argue, their best. Taking a bit of inspiration from the French black metal scene that emphasizes complex song progressions alongside the blacked buzz of the genre, Marduk have fashioned a record that not only perfects that approach, but makes it their own. There is nothing unblack here, it is as furious as anything else out there tearing around the black metal forest, but it is also sophisticated and compelling every step of the way. The songs here will still lay waste to any listener, but they also invite closer inspection. Repeated listens pay off and like all great records it reveals itself over time. This isn't just a huge step forward for Marduk, this is a huge step forward for black metal in general.

Listen to "Into Utter Madness" here
Listen to "Whorecrown" here
Listen to "This Flesy Void"