Just as the gods of old killed, so too must mankind. We are predestined to wage war. Whether it’s the hawks vs. doves argument or the evolution of so-called ‘blood rites’ or Malthusian concepts conflict is in our blood, it inhabits our minds, and it permeates our souls.

For Swedish black metal icons Marduk, war is a topic familiar. Like moth to flame, they’ve been drawn to modern-era bloodshed—since 1999’s Panzer Division Marduk in fact. When the Swedes first moved on from reapers autumnal, black suns, and darkened wings, a lifetime’s worth of intense and very real source material lay in front of them. From the brutality of the World Wars to battles before and after, Marduk’s progression into grim historians—or, at the very least period-specific gearheads—is now complete on new album, Viktoria.

“Overall, I would say we have a fascination with the whole war machine,” says founding member/guitarist Morgan Håkansson. “At least from my point of view, the Germans had the most fascinating machinery and equipment. Viktoria is not a standpoint, however. It’s just a reflection of history, the way it happened. With that in mind, it’s more interesting to write a soundtrack tied to specific historical events. Look at movies, for example. They’ve tackled both sides of World War II. So, Viktoria is more about history. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

Marduk live:

VIKTORIA EUROPA – tour 2018 (support: Ragnarök)
01.05.18 – Poznan – POL – U Bazyla
05.05.18 – Rzeszow – POL – Life House
03.05.18 – Kosice – SVK – Colloseum
04.05.18 – Budapest – MAG – Blue Hell
05.05.18 – Brasov – ROM – Kruhnen Musik Halle
07.05.18 – Ljubljana – SVN – Orto Bar
08.05.18 – Vercelli – ITA – Officine Sonore
09.05.18 – Rome – ITA – Traffic
10.05.18 – Brescia – ITA – Colony
11.05.18 – San Dona Di Piave – ITA – Revolver
12.05.18 – Vienna – AUT – Vienna Metal Meeting
13.05.18 – Luzern – SUI – Shuur
14.05.18 – Montbeliard – FRA – Atelier des Moles
15.05.18 – St. Maurice – SUI – Le Manoir
16.05.18 – Munich – DEU – Backstage
17.05.18 – Mannheim – DEU – Ms Connection Complex
18.05.18 – Erfurt – DEU – Club from Hell
19.05.18 – Gelsenkirchen – DEU – Rock Hard Festival
20.05.18 – Kubox Kuurne – BEL – Thronefest
22.05.18 – Cardiff – WAL – The Globe
23.05.18 – Manchester – ENG – Rebellion
24.05.18 – Glasgow – SCO – Audio
25.05.18 – London – ENG – The Dome
26.05.18 – Tilburg – NED – 013
27.05.18 – Amstelveen – NED – P60

Marduk