Marduk, Origin, and Doodswens – Live at Manchester Academy
Marduk, Origin, and Doodswens
Manchester Academy
16/04/2024
Live Review by Oli Gonzalez
Photography by Rob Lindesay (@rock.the.lens)
Marduk. The ancient Mesopotamian deity, and chief of gods. Though this isn’t a lesson in mythology and legends. No, we refer to the Swedish black metal act of the same name, an act that has earned legendary status amongst the world of metal. A career spanning over three decades and having played every stage on the planet worth playing. The band formed in the early 1990s with a goal; to be the most blasphemous metal act ever. On this night, they arrived in Manchester with a different goal though; to lay waste to the city with their extreme metal assault. Technical death metallers Origin, and atmospheric black metal force Doodswens were enlisted with similar destructive intent.
Doodswens
The power trio open up proceedings with a calm and casual walk to the stage, collecting their instruments already on stage. The ominous and austere backing track creates a tension in the air. The air which is slowly filled with fumes from the sharply burning incense lit, providing welcome olfactory stimulation. The incense which proudly stands in a centrally placed shrine. Like the beginning of a sadistic ritual, the anticipation is palpable.
The music begins. The thunder from the double bass drums fiercely shifts the scented air. The sound is drenched in raw atmospherics yet is polished and refined.
The primary vocal attack comes from neither the bassist or guitarist from the front of the stage, but from behind the drum kit. Howls and screams filled with primitive angst and ferocity. The musical assault ranges from blisteringly fast to slower, groove-laden death metal inspired riffs. Though sparse at the beginning, the crowd is now filling the room nicely, and those in attendance show their appreciation. A solid opening set!
https://www.facebook.com/DoodswensOfficial
Origin
The auditory barrage shifts from black metal to technical death metal. From the very first note, it’s clear Origin are not here to play games. They mean business! In isolation, each musician is an individual juggernaut, playing their respective instruments to a standard rarely witnessed amongst the realm of mortals, barely breaking a sweat whilst doing so. Collectively, the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts however and the band are simply a force of nature! Though many heads are banging relentlessly, we’re a few songs in now and a pit still has not opened up. It’s a mystery as to why. The sublime strobe lightning set up only adds to the intensity, complimenting the music supremely. You know it’s only a matter of time before all hell is unleashed. Then, the crowd surfers are thrown over the barrier. The circle pit to hell opens. The chaos has arrived. The intensity never subsides and through some Herculean effort this never relents. 50 minutes pass quicker than the blink of an eye. The gauntlet has been set and the challenge made for the headliners to top such a blistering performance.
https://www.facebook.com/Origin
Marduk
Sinister intimidating music begins, as smoke slowly fills the stage. Like a ritualistic summoning. Before long, the quartet take to the stage, and sharply proceed to tear through tracks from their back catalogue and latest effort ‘Memento Mori’. A few songs in, and the lights are dimmed. The music stops briefly. A moment of respite.
“Marduk! Marduk! Marduk!” The crowd roars in admiration. Those who were lurking at the back for the opening acts are now firmly front and centre, screaming in affirmation for their heroes. Vocalist Mortuus says nothing. He doesn’t need to. With his towering presence and gargantuan stature, he can say more with one stare than others can say in an entire 5 minute monologue. Then the music swiftly begins again.
They continue to charge through a set list designed for maximum carnage and destruction. How they can maintain this intensity over such a vast period truly is something else. This intensity and atmosphere cannot be adequately captured through a smart phone. No, this must be experienced in the flesh. The mix is flawless, with every note as crucial as the last and adding to the auditory savagery. Bodies are launched through the air and pit with reckless abandon and disregard for their own wellbeing.
Over an hour in, then mercifully, it’s over. The band disappear. The end. The crowd aren’t happy and the “Marduk” chants return, alongside desperate pleas for “one more song”. Not long after, the band return. Mortuus works the already red hot crowd into a frenzy. There’s doubt, a possibility of no encore, unless he’s satisfied with the energy. Fortunately, the crowd are treated to one final number, and then it’s finally over.
The term legendary is thrown around too often today. However, this term is more than adequate for Marduk, having earned this status through delivering countless blistering performances just like the one we witnessed tonight. A performance that all fans of extreme metal must witness in their life time. Whether the band Marduk will be spoke of in the same breath of Mesopotamian deities in the future remains to be seen. Though they will hold a special place in the memory of many metal fans.
https://www.facebook.com/Mardukofficial
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Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez and Ever Metal. Photography the property of Rob Lindesay @rock.the.lens. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
