By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 26/02/2016
Label: Century Media
“Dead Dawn”, I am pleased to
report, rocks harder than the first record. “Midas In Reverse” sees LG Petrov
on fine form and the band thrashing away- what a relief! The title track mixes
pummelling double bass drums with doomy sections as well as triplet time feel-
excellent. There are acoustic intros here, a gnarly guitar sound, live sounding
drums and the likes of “Total Death”
are short sharp shocks compared to more downbeat material like “As The World Fell”. There is a heavier vibe and sound to this
album than the last release and the band should be commended for building and
moving forwards. Of course, if you enjoy Entombed in any or all its forms, this
album is a must.
“Dead Dawn” CD//DD//LP track listing:
01. Midas In Reverse (03:55)
02. Dead Dawn (04:07)
03. Down To Mars To Ride (04:50)
04. As The World Fell (05:30)
05. Total Death (02:28)
06. The Winner Has Lost (03:53)
07. Silent Assassin (03:55)
08. Hubris Fall (04:49)
09. Black Survival (03:07)
10. Not What It Seems (03:40)
The Review:
Entombed AD, the continuation/alternative/new
version/totally different band-take your pick- of Entombed,
return with this sophomore effort. Their debut, whilst good, did not rock quite
as hard as I would have liked (that is to say, much harder than “Same Difference” but a country mile
away from “Wolverine Blues” and not
even on the same continent as “Left Hand
Path”).
“Dead Dawn”, I am pleased
to report, rocks harder than the first record. “Midas In Reverse” sees LG Petrov on fine form and the band
thrashing away- what a relief! The title track mixes pummelling double bass
drums with doomy sections as well as triplet time feel- excellent. There are
acoustic intros here, a gnarly guitar sound, live sounding drums and the likes
of “Total Death” are short sharp shocks compared to more
downbeat material like “As The World Fell”. The
rolling tanks sound of the mid 90's returns on “The Winner Has Lost” (good
lead work too) and it is a reminder that Entombed really did
carve their own niche. Sure, contemporaries Dismember
and Grave may have rounded out an unholy trinity
at the start of all their careers, but in developing the death 'n' roll sound, Entombed moved forwards in a way that other bands did not.
There
is more mid tempo stuff and doom style riffage than you might expect as the
album progresses- how much you enjoy this may be informed by exactly what you
are expecting and what “your” Entombed happens to be.
The likes of “Black Survival” put
the pedal to the metal, though, and for me it is on this type of material that
the band shine brightest. By the time “Not
What It Seems” opens up with piano and acoustic guitar, you should be
convinced that the band is on form and operating at full whack. Certainly, I
prefer this album to “Back to the Front”
but I don't rate it as highly as the early 90's classics. There is a heavier
vibe and sound to this album than the last release and the band should be
commended for building and moving forwards. Of course, if you enjoy Entombed in any or all its forms, this album is a must.
“Dead Dawn” is available
now
Band info: facebook
