I really got into Entombed during the first half of 1990s, when they released their first three legendary albums. Yes, even the infamous 'Wolverine Blues' (1993), which was one of the pioneering death 'n' roll albums. In the second half of the same decade the band released two less heavy albums and I didn't find them very interesting at all. After that, I never discovered the old zeal to them again. Then came the split between vocalist L-G Petrov and the guitarist Alex Hellid, who both were original members...

See, Entombed was cursed to be one of those bands, whose members had a dispute. Thus, Entombed A.D. was born in 2014, fronted by L-G. Bass player Nico Elgstrand and drummer Olle Dahlstedt, who played on the last Entombed album 'Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments' (2007) followed him. The rough-voiced vocalist didn't ditch the music he had performed for two decades. So, death metal and thrash metal with punk edge and rock stuff is what's on offer!

But alas, this album isn't in the front of the offensive line, sadly. There's two main reasons for this. First, the sound doesn't really bite. It sounds organic, but also like some rougher edges were smoothed. The drums get repressed under other elements, and should have been boosted up a bit. The guitar does buzz and is low-tuned, but feels tidied up; it sounds foggy. Add to that some not that hot songwriting and performing, and at times the album simply feels powerless, lame. However, I find it strong enough when compared to the Noughties' Entombed albums, and especially those two which had more of a rock approach to them.

Alex Hellid's guitar style was emulated by Nico Elgstrand (yep, he swapped his bass for a guitar, then), but there are some average riffs. I'm not saying that Hellid's work is all perfect, no, but some of this goes in one and and comes out the other. There are both simplistic and more multifaceted riffs. Some great stuff can be heard, like 'Eternal Woe' and fast 'The Underminer', among other, so this is hardly a letdown. Mainly, what we get is horror-themed riffage and lead guitar work. Some piano and acoustic guitar stuff were added for atmosphere, and work okay.

At first, I remember I was bothered by mid-paced start of the album. On the third song, 'Pandemic Rage', D-beat is finally in! And 'Waiting for Death' is a Slayer pastiche, if pretty good one at that. Also slower, doomier approach happens, and here it is Runemagick that comes to my mind; but it's nowhere near funeral doom tempos. Anyway, this is mainly mid-paced, and it makes the album feel a bit jaded. There are things that intensify the power of the music at times. First, fast if not very memorable guitar solos bring in some action. The drumming is rather varying; double kick drumming, thrashy beats, D-beat, all kind of rock drumming bits... But also some limping moments. The bonus track of several editions, 'Gospel of the Horns' is like dirty version of Ghost; horror vibe and catchiness mix in this song, which was made for a bonus track, not for the album itself.

L-G's vocals are still very much able. His growl is mostly low and bear-ish here. Maybe it's because of his age, that his trademark screams and roars have drastically dwindled here. He did it all in old style, as everything else is done, too. No missteps into modern styles on this platter. Even the production carries a feeling of timelessness.

While 'Back to the Front' shows the band were alive, it still feels like they weren't firing on all cylinders. Maybe it was a long time in the making? I also wish it would be more catchy; it just does not grab by the throat and force itself in. It is too tame. However, Entombed fans need to inspect it. And perhaps those, who want death metal done old way.

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/06/2018 20:04