I’ve been hearing whispers about Karg for a while. It’s another band that can proudly join the whole German/Austrian Post/Black Metal scene. It’s been dominating this small niche for at least the last ten years. So yeah, I do feel kind of guilty that it took me this long to give the project a proper chance. Marodeur has a serious name, a serious cover art—so you obviously expect serious music. The kind of album that reminds you of those small mistakes you thought you’d let go, but still haunt you at night. Uplifting stuff, right? Let’s start!
Marodeur has a lot in common with other big names in the Post/Black subgenre. It’s impossible not to compare it to Harakiri for the Sky or Groza’s latest efforts. There’s that cathartic energy, wrapped in layers of existential anxiety that hit like icy rainfall. There are so many readers of this blog who will just rub this album all over their bodies until it makes their skin bleed. The sound might not be revolutionary, but it’s effective—and what can I say? I’ve got a soft spot for this sad puppy Metal, even if I sometimes mix up the bands here and there.
Mostly because Karg‘s vocals are eerily similar to Harakiri’s. However, they’re even more aggressive here. Despite the album’s safe start, I was surprised by the subtle changes in the second half of Marodeur. It becomes more direct, and at times even breaks away from the traditional melodic tremolo picking of Post/Black to try and capture a sense of groove. That’s highly appreciated and definitely sets Karg apart from the Shoegaze avalanche currently flooding my inbox. But there are still a few things that caught my attention in a less fun way.
As I said, this sound is my kryptonite—I LOVE it! But that doesn’t change the fact that we’ve heard a lot of this before, and some tracks spend too long circling around just a few ideas, especially in the first half. If anything, I’d love to hear Karg taking more risks. This project is extremely talented and has no problem wrapping you in a veil of cozy darkness, but this more “direct” approach? That’s exciting. I mean, it’s a good/bad year to drop Shoegaze-inspired Metal after what Deafheaven just did.
Anyway, I don’t want to take any merits away from Karg. This was an engaging and liberating listen that transported me back to the most crushing parts of winter—which, as a Metalhead, is always welcome. There’s a lot of competition this year, but I still believe that for those who love Post/Black and enjoy soaking in a cold bath of regret, Marodeur will be a no-brainer. So prepare your depressing thoughts and remorse—because now they’ve got a new soundtrack!
Label: AOP records
Release date: April 18, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/kargband
Country: Austria
Score: A withering 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 