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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Revitalized, Inspired, And Amazing, February 16, 2002
Entombed's "Uprising" and "Morning Star" are two critically (criminally...) underrated releases that simply destroy all in their path when it comes to the band's trademark "death-n-roll" juggernaut. We fans (at least those of us who have stuck with the band) were treated to an uncompromisingly brutal and raw slugfest with "Uprising" in 2000. Basically, it was an answer of "we're right here and we're ready to kick your teeth in" to fans who wondered what happened after "Same Difference". As it turns out, "Uprising" was a wake-up call, while "Morning Star" was that very kick in the teeth to anyone who hadn't been paying attention. Sounds violent? So does "Morning Star". "Uprising" wasn't the return to all things in the "Left Hand Path" like some persistent fans had been wanting, but it put the band back on the track they had laid out with "Wolverine Blues" and "To Ride...". There were tons of groove-heavy rock riffs specifically crafted to get heads a-banging, and the production was just about as rough as 80-grit sandpaper. In short, "Uprising" was one of my top 5 favorite albums of 2000. Well, how curious it was, then, that "Morning Star" became one of my top 5 albums of 2001! The best way to begin is by saying that this album confirms Entombed's status as firmly back-on-track with definite Metal leanings. As much as I loved every single meaty, riff-bleeding track after track on "Uprising", the songs from this album are, quite unbelievably, just as memorable - quite frankly, something I wouldn't have thought possible. But what's so awesome is that these songs are just as unforgettable - but for entirely different reasons. There's a renewed sense of variety in the songwriting and a penchant for dynamics here among the tracks that had been lacking previously. "I For An Eye" (actually, the song's second half), "About To Die", and especially the unexpected warp-speed wildcard "Ensemble Of The Restless" (probably Entombed's fastest song EVER) pick up the pace, yet are interspersed between riff-heavy-as-ever chuggers "Bringer Of Light", "I For An Eye" (the song's first half), "Mental Twin", and the absolutely monstrous lead-off track "Chief Rebel Angel", among others. But MUCH more importantly than all that, and what's undoubtedly the most noticeable aspect on "Morning Star" is how Entombed triumphantly belted out more infectious, violent, thrashing METAL here - yeah, you read that right - than on any album since "Wolverine Blues". You can immediately sense that these guys had been holding this aggression in (whether they realized it or not...) for a long, long time and that they had a blast releasing all that pent up sonic fury. But man, oh, man, when they opened the floodgates, the monstrous Alex/Uffe/Jorgen guitar/bass attack just got chunkier, albeit with less groove-rock tendencies in the riffs and more mad, thrashing brutality, and Peter's double-bass kick-drumming (yeah, you read that right! Finally!!!) just kept pounding away any doubts into oblivion. As many have alluded to concerning the thrash-oriented tracks, there is definitely a Slayer influence present this time around, especially with the lead melodic riffing and drum fills on a few tracks. Still, they took that influence and made something all their own from it, which is also what they continued to occasionally do with that same early- to mid- period Neurosis vibe they utilized so effortlessly on "Uprising". And as usual, to round things out is their very own infamously rotten punk-ish sonic attitude, once again courtesy of those brutal guitars, that notoriously thick production, and L.G.'s tormented, far-beyond-[ticked]-off, gasoline soaked vocals. Who knows - maybe Murder Squad (an Autopsy/Repulsion worshipping side-project featuring Peter and Uffe) and some of the other bands Entombed toured with had simply aroused the Metal demons within them. Whatever the case, the results added up to an absolutely brilliant masterwork.Without a doubt, this album is about as fierce as it gets. Listening to any of these tracks, it's plain to see that there's an insatiable creative hunger and a necessary drive that L.G. and company feel to do this at all costs. They don't have anything to prove, either, other than to say that this is what they do because this is what they love. To sense that within ANY band, especially this far into their career, is simply amazing. And while many followers seem to foolishly think that Entombed's best days are long gone, "Morning Star" fundamentally proves that this band is just as vital and essential in 2001 as they were in 1991.
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