Customer Reviews

Morning Star

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

I love this album it is like some where between Sabbath and death metal. I myself am a huge fan of the Death and Roll style that emtombed have created. I am also a fan of the old school death metal sound of the early entombed albums and think most of the fans of that era entombed are to hard on entombed for progressing beyond there earlier work. I sorry that there not Cannibal Corpse or Some other tire ass Death Metal band making the same album 15 times. In the case of Entombed musical growth is a good thing

I had heard Entombed back in the day and found them good but not great. Then I came across an mp3 for "City of Ghosts" from this disc and thought it was phenomenal. So I decided to take the plunge and buy the CD; one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's absolutely brutal, intense and unrelenting. Top cuts are "I For and Eye", "About to Die" and "When It Hits Home" but all other cuts range from solid to sick. I give the CD an A+ not only for being ridiculously good but for coming out of nowhere at a time when nu metal is ruining the greatest genre in music history. PS - It's very remininscent of Slayer's South of Heaven...some slow, some rapid fire, all good.

This album's got it all. Catchy drumming, clever lyrics, solid riffing, amazing solos. It's catchiert than VD. I wish these 1 star reviewers would actually specify what it is the album lacks, i'm quite interested in hearing it. Death n Roll's magnum opus. Period. Seriously, this album will grab you and not let go.

Entombed has gone through many changes musically since the first two albums, "Left hand Path", and "Clandestein". Now, they are more of a Stoner Type Death Band, or as they call, Death Roll. This format has worked on some of their albums such as Uprising and Inferno, but they have all had their share of filler, and have fallen short of 5star efforts such as the first two masterpieces. "Morning Star" is a much more brutal force of Death Roll, and even though its not quite the same sound as Left Hand Path and Clandestein, it still manages to kick you in the teeth almost the whole way through. I only found myself skipping over one or two tracks, and the rest is a sonic blast to the skull. I dont think that they will ever be able to top this 2002 effort, nor will they ever return to the format of pure death metal, so this one is a keeper..ENJOY

I have been waiting since "To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth," for an album from Entombed that one can hold on the same level of death & roll mastery. This album is it! Every song is a testament to Entombeds ability to just rock you out of your seat and then some. I ve been a fan since Clandestine, and at no time since has Entombed sounded more focused in their aggression. You cant help but feel sorry for the guitars and drums that have to take the beating of this album. It explodes out the gate with the riff heavy "Chief Rebel Angel," and proceeds to beat you into a coma. Others that stand out on this album are "Out of Heaven," (my favorite) "Year One Now," "When It Hits Home," and "Mental Twin." Not a bad song on the album! A must buy for any entombed fan that thought "Same Difference" was a hunk of (...)!

They're back. After the good step-back to death metal of Uprising, the Entombed release another great about. Maybe you would have to listen Morning star several times, but i'm sure it will like you everytime more. Well, this is not Clandestine or Leth Hand path volume 2, but it's just death metal in the year 2001. So if u like this genre, buy it with no remorse.

If this were not an Entombed CD, I probably would have liked it more. Entombed is a very special band, my favorite, in fact, and I hold these boys to a much higher standard than any other band. In order not to be vague and unfair, let me enumerate the things that I love about Entombed that are not present on this disc.
1) It's not Death & Roll, and I personally like Entombed best when they play Death & Roll. Cf. their cover of "Hollywood Babylon" on _Hell on Earth: A Tribute to the Misfits_. If you don't already own this, I definitely recommend it for that song alone (the rest of the disc [is bad]).
2) The songs aren't particularly distinctive. It's pretty much just straight death metal, and as we all know, death metal has run its course.
3) The production isn't as edgy and raw as on _Uprising_, nor is it as slick and well-suited as on any of the discs produced by Tomas Skogsberg (cf. _Clandestine_, _Hollowman_, and _Wolverine Blues_).
In short, the music on this disc is not as stylish, nor as well-written, nor as well-produced as these boys are capable of. What's the solution? Some have suggested that the writing has suffered since Nicke left, and I'm beginning to agree, but note that Nicke's current band, the Hellacopters, really [isn't good]. Another possible option is for them to return to their Death & Roll roots, but as a trip through Entombed's discography will show, these boys are not interested in repeating themselves, really, though their best writing has always retained the Sabbath-style blues influence that was present as early as _Left Hand Path_. Whatever the solution, I hope they find it in time for the next album.
Incidentally, _Same Difference_ is generally acknowledged to be their worst album, but that disc had some very interesting material on it, despite the fact that the album failed as a whole. I expect that over time, I'll be even more convinced that _Same Difference_ was a better album than _Morning Star_.
None of this, of course, means that you shouldn't buy this album. The only people who will even ever hear about this album will be Entombed fans, who will (and should) buy it as a matter of course.

First off, I'll say that I am NOT a long time Entombed fan. I just recently got into the band based on a friend's reccomendation.

This album is impressive to say the least. I was shocked at how in control these guys sound, they are kicking ass slow/fast any which way they want it. For some reason this album reminds me of Seasons-era Slayer, maybe its because of the production. The instruments sound very powerful, and the musicianship is prominently displayed throughout the album.

I was amazed at how this album rocked. Recommended to any heavy metal / death metal fan period.

I have been searching for months looking for a band worth wild. Finally, I stumbled apon Entombed.. this cd (Morning Star) is a hard hitting, "in your face" album! Pounding bass guitar, insane vocals, deffening guitars and one helluva drummin' going on! Every song on this cd is full of non stop insanity! This is definetely something you would want in your cd collection. I haven't heard anything like these guys before.. this will just destroy your brain cells.. that speaks for itself. ;)