Death ‘n Roll

The Swedish death metal act Entombed A.D. is an earlier pioneer of the subgenre; through the earlier part of their career, they began bringing in outside influences to their music to create an entirely new sound. By bringing together death metal and rock and roll qualities, Entombed have made a sound most commonly known as death n’ roll. Some refer to Entombed as the death metal band for those who don’t like death metal, but who cares about labels anyway?

The band itself has been more than just a pioneer; they’ve been an example of some legal woes. Entombed A.D, formerly Entombed (and before that they were Nihilist) released their newest music with a slightly different lineup than previously seen, consisting of Lars Göran Petrov (vocals), Olle Dahlstedt (drums), Nico Elgstrand (guitar) and Victor Brandt (bass). An interesting note about this lineup: Petrov will only perform with the band under the name Entombed A.D. and will not take part in anything under the moniker of just “Entombed.” What did happen to Entombed A.D. to change its name? As of now that is still being kept under wraps.

Charming then twisted best describes the beginning of Entombed A.D.’s intro to their newest release Back to the Front, released on Century Media. Nothing less should be expected from these fathers of death ‘n roll. Unsettling, angry and clearly distorted, fans of Entombed (A.D.) know immediately they are in for a hell of an album.

“Bedlam Attack” runs in as the number two track with traditional pissed off values and death lyrics, in addition to the heavy rock ‘n roll arrangements we have been waiting to hear. Fiddlers play in the third track, “Pandemic Rage,” to introduce something a bit more thrash like then that we just heard on “Bedlam Attack.” “Second to None” is a rough and ready song with some damning guitars and headbang-worthy music.

Without leaning too much into over-complementing a band, this entire album shows more than competency for musicianship. For anyone who has an appreciation for heavy aggression and old school, hard rock mathematics, this album is a must own.