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With their monumental debut album, Left Hand Path, Entombed crashed through the gates of the international death metal scene and foreshadowed the pivotal role that Scandinavia would soon play in the evolution of the then-burgeoning genre. These Swedes had earlier made ripples throughout the underground with their But Life Goes On demo (1989), as well as their prior demos as Nihilist, which had gotten them signed to Earache. Left Hand Path did more than make ripples upon its 1990 release, however -- it came crashing like a tidal wave. Beyond doubt it raised the bar for death metal, significantly challenging American trailblazers like Death, Obituary, and Morbid Angel. What Entombed did was take the extremity of Earache's stable of British grindcore bands (Napalm Death, Carcass, and Godflesh) and apply it to the elaborate songwriting structures of the aforementioned American death metal bands. It was the best of both worlds -- over the top extremity complemented by intricate songwriting -- and it wasn't more than a year or two later that everyone and their brother were following Entombed's lead (e.g., Carcass' Necroticism [1991], Napalm Death's Harmony Corruption [1990]). But no one did it quite as well as Entombed does here on Left Hand Path; in fact, even the band itself struggled to follow up this album and quickly moved on stylistically. As for the album itself, few of the songs stand apart from one another, apart from the epic title track, which opens the album and is highlighted by an eerie, unforgettable ambient break; rather, the album plays like a 40-minute wall of sound, one that is downright relentless. The band grinds away on song after song as monstrous vocalist Lars-Göran Petrov growls away like a caged, dying beast. The songs are fairly complex -- they're only a few minutes long, granted, but they don't follow clear-cut patterns and are interwoven with numerous guitar solos, which particularly set Entombed apart from the grindcore bands of the time. The band's dual-guitar attack allows for heavy soloing without ever forsaking the nonstop riffing, and everything -- from the guitars to the vocals -- sounds slightly overdriven, to the extent that the instruments blur into a swirling tide of noise yet remain slightly distinct. By the time you reach the end, you have to let out a big sigh -- it's surely not an album you want to end, but then again, the finale does admittedly come as a calming relief. As aforementioned, Left Hand Path is a monumental accomplishment, not only for Entombed but for death metal in general. The band would go on to record many more fine albums, but none would be quite as epochal and seminal as this one. [Earache reissued the album with two bonus tracks: "Carnival Leftovers" and "Premature Autopsy." These tracks don't sound out of place, but to an extent they do dilute the succinct impact of the album as it was originally intended.] ~ Jason Birchmeier
Entombed - Left Hand Path Songs
Left Hand Path Music Review
Average Rating: (4.8 out of 5 stars)   Great Swedish DM
One of then firsts on the scene with their earlier incarnation, Nihilist, Entombed deliver a classic album that lives up to the heaps of praise placed upon it. This is pretty much required listening if you want to experience death metal at its finest.
Submitted by rottinghead (Missouri) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Insidious, vile, and beautiful slime covered black vomit!
One look at the Dan Seagrave (creator of the cover art to Nocturnus "The Key" (1990), Morbid Angel "Altars Of Madness" (1989), Dismember "Like an Everflowing Stream" (1991), and Carnage "Dark Recollections" (1990)) cover art and you know that you are in for a treat. The title track starts off with the classic "shrills down your spine" scream of descending pain and agony (the theme to the cult-classic "Phantasm" film). Soon after, everything goes crazy! L.G.'s vocals are superb and unique on this record and do the music a lot of justice (no "toilet gurgle" stuff here kiddies, just pure and loud as can be old school death metal vox with feeling). The guitar tone had that crunchy "Autopsy" buzz saw feel and is the best feature on the record. The bass mixes in well with everything (nothing to spectacular though). The drums are raw and organic with a feeling that makes you feel like you are standing on the edge of a cliff with the Shona tribe at the bottom making "ritualistic percussion". They incorporate a few blast beats as well(see "Revel In Flesh"). Over all, there is not a bad thing about this record and it disserves to be in your metal collection or collections. I'd suggest purchasing the LP format if you can. Old school Swedish death at its finest hour. Check out their demo material when they where known as Nihilist as well! WHAT MAN'S CREATED/MAN CAN DESTROY/BRING TO LIGHT THAT DAY OF JOY!
Submitted by ingramandrew7 (Juneau, AK)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Death Metal Classic
This is where most of the Swedish death metal scene started. This is a classic death metal release from which many other bands would formulate their own sounds to make up the Swedish Death Metal Revolution. In the vien of early Dismember, Carcass, Morbid Angel death metal. Excellent!
Submitted by a reviewer (Jax, FL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A path set for many ...
This is one of the most brutal albums ever to be recorded in death metal history , little did they know that they would have set the trend for so many other swedish death bands for years to come in the aftermath but so very few emerged as victoriously as Entombed did .if i were u !and ur into old school death metal! then this is for u yeah they have changed there style over the years.. but this album still makes me want to run though graveyards at night and cuase havoc!! lmao!! This cd is what its all about ! get it u wont be disapointed .
Submitted by Keeper_of_Keys (worcester ma)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
This review is for a different format.  Your Metalhead Roots!!!!!
This is how it starts. Everyone's first effort should rule like this one does!! Own it now before the price goes up again!!!
Submitted by a reviewer (The North)
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This review is for a different format.
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