The Swedish Death Metal scene is one that has made its mark on music time after time. In fact, without decades of the gnarly, blackened music this genre may not exist as it does today. That in mind, for the last five years Entombed A.D., a band birthed from the remnants of Entombed, has made itself a force to be reckoned with in the Metal world. Currently featuring the lineup of original Entombed Vocalist Lars-Göran Petrov (LG Petrov) along with former Entombed Drummer Olle Dahlstedt and Guitarist Nico Elgstrand, together with Guitarist Guilherme Miranda they bring fans their newest album Bowels of Earth.
The third full-length album since Entombed A.D.’s formation, and first since 2017’s Dead Dawn, Bowels of Earth adds to their fearsome repertoire. Set for release on Friday, August 30th via Century Media, the new album is complete with eleven newly recorded tracks that includes two very interesting covers – Hank Williams’ “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive” and Motörhead’s “Back at the Funny Farm.”
Tighter than their previous works, “Torment Remains” enters like a hellish whirlwind with a pulverizing guitar riffs and the gravelly vocals from LG Petrov. Then, without wasting any time, the opening riff of “Elimination” tumbles and crushes like an avalanche against the punching drums. This is all works with a brief and unfettered bit of melodic guitar work that precedes a deviant guitar solo.
Moving forward, the title-track, “Bowels of Earth,” begins with unnerving piano playing as quiet synth hums in the background before quickly fading away as the empiric main event takes over. On the other hand “Bourbon Nightmare” is a quirky, unpredictable cut that opens with a brief soundbite of a Mariachi band and some exuberant banter in Spanish. The song then tears away into some memorable rhythmic guitar work laden with doom and gloom fit for any bourbon-soaked fiesta.
Later on comes “World’s Apart” with a choppy, gritty essence before it hits like a twisted, inescapable nightmare with drums that are relentless for the entirety of the hot-blooded track. Then comes one of the aforementioned covers in the form of Hank Williams’ “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.” Unique, Entombed A.D. place well-thought emphasis on the rhythm section here with each working in an effort to create an excellent groove while allowing the guitars to take center stage in the multiple solos. Speaking of the guitars, the work in “To Eternal Night” is eccentric in tone as each plays off one another concluding the original tunes of the album nicely.
Overall Bowels of Earth carries with it the distinct mass of distorted frequencies that is synonymous with Death Metal while still managing to execute an atmosphere where every facet is heard. The vocal delivery is solid and easily comprehended, although can sometimes fall behind the thunderous instrumental. There is also no shortage of explicit guitar solos, though all are brief and give all there is to give. An album suitable for a home in the early days of Entombed A.D.’s predecessor Entombed, Cryptic Rock gives Bowels of Earth 3.5 out of five stars.
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