World Funeral
Marduk · 2003
54 min · 13 tracks · black metal
A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs and thunderous drums, punctuated by dark, atmospheric moments that epitomize black metal's ferocity.
Top tracks — play these first
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With Satan and Victorious Weapons Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its fierce energy and vivid imagery that captures Marduk's signature style.
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Bloodletting — The relentless pace and brutal themes in this track exemplify the album's exploration of death and destruction, making it a standout piece.
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World Funeral — The title track encapsulates the overarching themes of the album, blending melodic elements with harsh aggression to create a memorable experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
World Funeral showcases Marduk's refined aggression and atmosphere, solidifying their black metal sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a relentless pace, maintaining aggressive tempos throughout the first half.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts, transitioning from blast beats to slower, atmospheric sections that create tension.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- relentless energy for workouts
- dark atmosphere for introspection
- dynamic peaks and valleys
- headphone detail in chaos
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light-hearted sounds
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Marduk's reputation in black metal with significant commercial success.
- Themes
- apocalyptic imagery· ritualistic death· war-torn landscapes
- Career context
- Released in 2003, World Funeral is Marduk's seventh studio album, following the critically acclaimed Plague Angel. This record solidified their position as a leading force in the black metal scene, showcasing their refined sound and thematic depth after several years of lineup stability.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dark Funeral· Behemoth· Immortal
Tracklist
- 1 With Satan and Victorious Weapons Start here 3:51
- 2 Bleached Bones 5:20
- 3 Cloven Hoof 3:26
- 4 World Funeral 3:30
- 5 To the Death’s Head True 3:58
- 6 Castrum Doloris 3:33
- 7 Hearse 4:54
- 8 Night of the Long Knives 5:31
- 9 Bloodletting 5:48
- 10 Blessed Unholy 5:01
- 11 Blackcrowned 2:18
- 12 Phantasm 3:50
- 13 The Black… 3:39
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Darkthrone
Shares raw aggression and dark atmospheres, with themes of bleakness and existential dread.
The Satanist
Behemoth
Combines ritualistic elements with relentless riffs, exploring similar apocalyptic and dark themes.
At the Heart of Winter
Immortal
Features a fierce sonic assault with atmospheric moments, echoing themes of desolation and nature's fury.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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