Plague Angel
Marduk · 2004
45 min · 11 tracks · black metal
Savage riffs and relentless drumming create an oppressive atmosphere, punctuated by guttural vocals and dark thematic explorations.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Hangman of Prague Start here — This opening track sets a menacing tone with its fast tempo and intricate guitar work, immediately immersing listeners into the album's dark themes.
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Perish in Flames — At nearly eight minutes long, this track showcases Marduk's ability to blend brutality with atmospheric elements, making it a centerpiece of the album.
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Holy Blood, Holy Grail — This song exemplifies the band's penchant for historical references within their lyrics while delivering relentless energy that characterizes Marduk's style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album delivers consistent aggression but lacks significant variation in dynamics and structure.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that features blast beats and tremolo-picked guitar riffs, setting an aggressive tone.
- The final track features a slower tempo and more melodic elements, providing a contrast to the preceding aggression.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic flow with intense peaks
- haunting melodies amidst chaos
- wave-like pacing for immersion
- cathartic release through intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, upbeat tracks
- seek straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Beloved by fans for its intense sound and thematic depth within Marduk's catalog.
- Themes
- historical violence· oppressive darkness· medieval brutality
- Career context
- Released in 2004, Plague Angel is Marduk's eighth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, World Funeral. By this point, the band had solidified their status in the black metal scene, showcasing their signature sound while experimenting with new lyrical themes and musical intensity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dark Funeral· Behemoth· Immortal
Tracklist
- 1 The Hangman of Prague Start here 3:05
- 2 Throne of Rats 2:42
- 3 Seven Angels, Seven Trumpets 2:47
- 4 Life’s Emblem 4:55
- 5 Steel Inferno 2:23
- 6 Perish in Flames 7:46
- 7 Holy Blood, Holy Grail 2:27
- 8 Warschau 3:18
- 9 Deathmarch 4:10
- 10 Everything Bleeds 3:33
- 11 Blutrache 7:50
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Transilvanian Hunger
Darkthrone
Shares a raw, oppressive atmosphere with relentless riffs and guttural vocals exploring dark themes.
The Apostasy
Behemoth
Combines savage instrumentation with historical and brutal lyrical themes, creating a similarly intense experience.
Sons of Northern Darkness
Immortal
Features relentless drumming and dark atmospheres, echoing themes of oppression and medieval imagery.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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