See our verdict on Entrails new album…
[tracklist]
01. No Cross Left Unturned
02. Epitome Of Death
03. Beyond The Flesh
04. The Grotesque
05. Obliterate
06. Skulls
07. Midnight Coffin
08. Bonestorm
09. Abyss Of Corpses
10. Re-Animation Of The Dead
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]42:00[/length]
[record_label]Metal Blade[/record_label]
[release_date]14th May 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
As the old adage goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. With Entrails’ mission statement forming in 1991 to be echoing the same sentiment that the bands of classic Swedish death metal movement. It seemed that the only that plagued the band was the line up. Beginning in 1991 the band struggled to remain together until disbanding in 1994 when half of the line up decided to move on to do other things. Fourteen years later the band was revived, putting out their first record in 2008. Finding old material the band had recorded and decided that this was music that would indeed see the light of day. With their fourth offering Obliteration almost 24 years in the making, it begs the question was it all worth it?
Entrails are very much a ronseal band. I may have used this expression before but for those who don’t know the classic tag line of the English resin “Does exactly what it says on the tin“. Aiming to recreate the classic sense of that early nineties Swedish movement the band succeed immeasurably. With Jimmy Lundqvist’s guitars sounding nurtured on a hefty diet of grit the tone matches the guttural sputtering of front man Joakim Svensson. Who’s vocal delivery is surprisingly decipherable making for a particularly gruesome narrative particularly on “Epitome Of Death”. Which also includes the other ace up Entrails sleeve, melody. Often focusing too much on imitating the sledge hammer riffs the sense of melody is forgotten. However with the solemn harmonies of final section “Epitome Of Death” including the classic funerary ode set the tone perfectly.
Yet another list that has been checked is the inclusion of gang vocals, though the Swedish element may be firmly rooted in death metal, there has always been a sense of brotherhood indentified with hardcore exemplified particualrly in the bounce of “Midnight Coffin”. The same can be said for punk thrasher “Beyond The Flesh” on the surface begins as another fast paced head banger but once the initial fog has cleared gives way to some crafty lead lines. Gold goes to “Obliterate” for channelling the sense of groove perfectly, an introduction that would have any metalhead banging as the double kick of Adde Mitroulis delivers those iron clad rhythmn’s again inserting slight melody ensures that the song remains memorable instead of a wall of stereotypical death metal drumming.
Produced by yet another early nineties death metal master, Dan Swano responsible for Bloodbath, Hail Of Bullets, Fleshcrawl etc… Ensuring that the polished layers that are commonplace in modern day production lay buried, instead the buzzing sense of organic creativity in the album is left to breathe. Though there are inclusions of small samples the solemn bell ringing of opener “No Cross Left Unturned“. Matching the apocalyptic nature of the album cover perfectly, which has to be one of my favourite’s this year, embodying everything that Entrails, and Obliteration in particular is about.
Lyrically the album boast some pretty gruesome explanations of the end of humanity, murder and general violence. I do relish in the fact that you can understand the singer as in the past there has been difficulty in getting the lyrical gist across with many sounding like growling, leaving for a pretty boring lyrical picture. If I had one criticism it would be that there are moments when the album tends to blur. Songs tend to get lost at times, due to the nature of riffs sounding similar with that classic d-beat creeping in slightly too much which then leads the mind to wander elsewhere slightly. Perhaps there might have been a little more room for more of a groove. However when the melody does appear like on penultimate track “Abyss Of Corpses” the band instantly are reanimated or the excellent finale “Reanimation Of The Dead” working in the final guitar solo of the album and conjuring back that sense of groove along with the otherworldly lead line feel tailing the album off.
If you were looking for the kind of death metal that might revolutionise the movement then look elsewhere. If you were looking for a throwback to the years of the nineties where Dismember and Entombed reigned free then look no further. This may be only their fourth album but Entrails perform like the seasoned swedish death metal greats. If ever there was a band that would be able to channel the spirit of the classic death metal movement without any modern frills this would be it. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Perfect for those that love a bit of early nineties swedish death metal. For those not looking for a taste of buzz saw riffing, look elsewhere.[/why]
