The Earth Dies Screaming
Death and taxes, my friends, the only two certainties in life, dead certs, if you will, horses you can back without hesitation and as sure as night follows night, our Swedish friends Entombed A.D.( is that after dark or after dinner, or both?) have made themselves known in the jolly world of death metal as the standard bearers, the ones who continue to stay in contention while others fall by the wayside. If truth be told , I’ve never ventured that deep into death metal territory, I’ve always been a little apprehensive of it, so it is time to grab your petrol- soaked rag and lob it into the campfire, the ensuing conflagration is ‘Bowels Of Earth’ a high speed, high intensity outing of murderous metal – in a good way- that is the face melter you’ve been waiting for.
Despite the internal wrangling’s and legal tig and tag, our heroes have created a brutish but strangely beautiful record, mixing intense and intricate guitars with more calming and alluring melodies and genteel riffery. L.G. Petrov leads the way through the woods as our heads bobble enthusiastically to these majestic sounds, and we find out that ‘Hell Is My Home’ – cosy, with a killer mid-section.
The title track opens with a ‘jewellery box’ intro where the ballerina twirls gracefully, then rips your hair out by the roots as we learn about ‘lying to your face’ which is quite apt in these troubling times.
There are bizarrely comforting rhythms in’ Worlds Apart’ and ‘Through The Eyes Of The Gods’, like sitting to a home cooked meal at a stranger’s table, nothing awkward or cack-handed though, just blissful brutality. Make shiny, happy death metal one of your 5- a day my friends.
A stonking version of Hank Williams’ classic ‘I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive’ shows how cross genre collaborations and covers can be compatible and successful. It is an unusual but poignant and relevant song, highlighting the same anxieties and perplexities of life.
Spin the bottle for a ‘Bourbon Nightmare’ and haul your sorry asses up and surrender ‘To Eternal Night’ as we toast to a future less blighted, less benighted and forever dark nighted.
Entombed A.D. – Bowels Of Earth out now via Century Media Records