Karg - Marodeur

Karg is a post-black metal band from Austria, who formed in 2006.  Their latest release, “Marodeur,” is their 9th full-length album; they have also released two splits, a demo, and four EPs.

“Marodeur,” is my first experience with their music but it has blown me away—I’m a fan for sure now and will dive into their back catalog as soon as I get a chance.  I’ll have to stop listening to this album first, which may be impossible. 

The foundation of the band is rooted in black metal but the post influences are obvious; their press release mentions post-punk, shoegaze, and even grunge.  Honestly, I didn’t hear any grunge in it (thankfully) but everything is pretty accurate.  This dynamic mix of sounds never comes off as disjointed or uneven—-this album has incredible flow from one song to the next.  Even within each song, the journey is adventurous but never arduous.  In fact, I found myself enjoying this album so much that I took many repeated journeys.  

It’s a detailed album without being stuffy or pretentious but it needs multiple listens—not to sink in, because it’s definitely gripping from the start, but just to hear everything it has to offer.  Layered, textured…this is an album that demands to be dived into it…and when you do, you’ll not want to come up for air. 

 The opening song, “Schnee ist das Blut der Geister,” introduces the elements that come together to form this musical tapestry.  The keys in the beginning are boundless within seconds, settling into an atmosphere that’s both gentle and tragic.  

The song builds out from there, gaining new ideas as the seconds tick by.   Groovy riffs kick in soon and, along with help from the drums, settle into a groove.  The vocals add an air of desperation to the music.

The band jams pretty hard, offering riff after riff with a strong rhythm current from the bass perpetually pushing the song into the later half that is highlighted by clean tones over thick fuzz.

I love the immediate, melodic guitars in “Yūgen,” which make the song sound epic yet it fits in perfectly with the song’s heavier aspects, such as the rhythm guitar and crashing cymbal work.  The double bass pours on the aggression at just the right moments to boost the song with bursts of aggressiveness that keep the band from being trapped inside its own sound. 

“Annapurna,” is one of my favorites on the album—it really hits the spot for what the album is all about and is the perfect showcase for their sound.  The guitars and drums are on the wavelength, a double dose melancholic that absolutely drips atmosphere yet remains solid as a rock.  The snares are crisp, quick, and add a visceral charge to the riffs which dance around with melodies that might not be of this world. 

Another favorite is “Anemoia,” and in large part because of the bass and drums.  They totally nail the intro.  They lead the song into a beautiful passage that had me hitting the rewind bar more than a few times.  The vocals ramp up the song’s fervent energy, making it a certifiable banger and an explosive way to end the album. 

Karg’s “Marodeur,” is an impressive album and just as good, if not better, than what other post bands like scene giants Harakiri For The Sky and Alcest, have put out recently. 

Rating:  Excellent