Customer Reviews

Same Difference

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The only people who will cut on this album are the close minded death metalheads out there (I was once one of them). True, this is a big departure from the left hand pathe or Clandestine days, but it is an awesome album in it's own right. I still love death metal, new and old, but I really enjoy seeing many of the death musicians expanding into territories completely different from what they originally played. This album is a cross between The Jesus Lizard and Black Sabbath, and it is done well. Upon first listen, Entombed fans may be a little surprised, but give it a couple of spins and you will hear the genius in it. It is a damn shame that a majority of their fans have a hard time accepting this album, because it is a masterpiece.

Entombed, like In Flames has evolved a lot over the years. From guttural death metal to blistering uhhh... regular metal. Same Difference is one of Entombeds most polished releases IMO, slick production and some of thier greater lyrical stylings. Slamming mid-paced metal, much like Sabbath mated with Slayer and slowed down a bit... But a sound all thier own in most respects. From Addiction King to 20/20 Vision all the way to the bonus tracks, to be honest one or two grating sleepers but hey like I said, Mid-paced metal. I'd recommend thier newer releases Morning Star, Uprising if you're more of a Slayer fan. This one is for the Corrosion Of Conformity, Clutch and Black Sabbath fans. Not thier best, but stands on it's own as a great place to start with Entombed. Lot's of extras that will keep your head buried in the sand.

Defying all trends, Entombed is back with "Same Difference". While Wolverine Blues and To Ride.. both had similar vibes, Same Difference is a bold step in the Swede's constant evolution. I must admit that I was very worried when I heard that Nicked Andersson had left the band to front the Hellacopters. Peter Stjarnvind filled Nicke's shoes perfectly for Entombed's tour supporting To Ride..., but how would his presence affect the writing process? Rest assured, Peter's performance on Same Difference proves that Entombed is stronger than ever. Entombed is a band who has lived and breathed rock and metal music. They've been in the scene since Death Metal reared it's ugly head in the late eighties. They've grown with the music and seen many of their contemporaries become yesterday's news. Entombed is categorized as a death metal band, but they are more than that. They are pushing the music to a new level. Through their years of touring and listening, they've learned what does and doesn't work with heavy music. With this knowledge, they have created their best album to date. Every musical component works as a solid unit. The music is heavy, wild, and clear. Even in a moment of chaos, you can hear everything that's going on. One of this album's boldest steps is their departure from their infamous Boss distortion tone. The result is one the best heavy guitar tones rivaling C.O.C. The bass is thick and low while throwing in Sabbathy runs and fast grooves.

Entombed is one of the only heavy bands that captures extreme emotion and feeling in their songs. Track 2 is an excellent example. The opening riff of track 3 "clauses" is perhaps the heaviest groove ever put to tape. LG is still one of the best heavy singers. He somehow manages to fit expression in his yelled-vocals. You ca tell he has a great voice and could sing radio music if he wanted. LG still doesn't write any lyrics whic is a bit odd. I see him as the animal element of the band content with being the wild front man. The other guys write pretty decent lyrics although they only write negative lyrics about being frustrated. Entombed has no cheesy qualities that many of their European counterparts hold so dear. They portray a realistic attitued of tolerance, crazyness, being cool,and a love of music. As an extra bonus to us Yanks for making us wait a year, the Road Runner release of Same Difference contains 6 extra tracks. Take note, Entombed are rewriting the rules of heavy music.

I have often read reviews of this record on a number of on line mags and this is always as heralded as the beginning of the Entombed demise. I keep wondering what record they are listening. All their experimentation with actual singing, groove oriented riffs, and textures went beautifully right on this record. This record only stands a slight shade under "Wolverine Blues" for artistic unity. It is like all the greatest riffs and songs that were never used from before N. Andersson left the band all made it onto to a very potent blend of bluesy-groove stoner rock. (And I HATE that term by the way.) Whoever wants there bands to stay the same and resist evolution needs to listen to all their records after this one, which don't even come close to the beauty of this record. For fans of Karma to Burn, Kyuss, The Haunted, and Nailbomb, this will truly inspire.

Upon reading so many bad reviews of this album in comparison to all the other albums this band has done I was all the more motivated to check it out. Surely, this is different but no two records by this band are the same. There is nearly no metal here but more of a weirdo, noise rock slightly 'sabbath' tinge here and there. There is a definite UNSANE feel on some of these songs as well. The faster songs are thrash like Kick In The Head (good stuff.) And why do people diss this album and praise Wolverine Blues? That album is not much better. This is simply a different album with a different sound which should be expected by fans of Entombed.

i dont get everyones review of this album, well actually i do, they are comparing it to older Entombed = mistake #1, the way albums should be judged is album by album, not their catalog of 10 years ago, look too To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth, thats where you should compare it too. Its a great step forward from that album, not as godd as To Ride.... but a good step. Its still heavy classic Entombed style, but its just more ROCK, rather than Death. i call it Death'n'Roll, they innovated that term and continue to set blue prints for it. Playing the same album over and over again is getting boring these days, change is NOT always good dont get me wrong. Some bands make it work (Entombed, Slayer) some don't (Metallica, Megadeth). Guitars churn through every track, vocals are still gruff and good. Lyrical content is where it falls weak, territory that has been said before. Can't wait for next album. And yes this is a great drinkin' record, if their previous albums had you ordering beer, this will have you orderin six packs. And yes, Clandestine, Wolverine Blues and Left Hand Path are better, but this is still good in a different way.

The legends who brought us Wolverine Blues truly are no more. I encourage you to gather your thoughts and prayers for them, so that their lives in the hereafter may be pleasant with the knowledge that they will NOT be remembered for this album.

While Entombed over the years has changed/progressed/matured/sold out whatever you want to call it, they still have not lost their ability to write some damn heavy songs. Same Difference is not Left Hand Path or Clandestine (nothing is) and for that I am thankful. When everything started sounding like LHP is when I stopped buying death metal albums and started waiting for the new Entombed albums. I could always count on them to be heavy, loud, aggressive, and emotional. Same Difference is all of those. How any "old school" Entombed fan doesn't like "The Supreme Good" or "Addiction King" is beyond me. If you want to hear a Left Hand Path carbon copy you should find thousands of bands that will please you. If you want an original band that remains one step ahead of a pack of immitators and still manage to be heavier than the rest (no matter how deep they growl) then Entombed is the only choice. While not their greatest accomplishment, "Same Difference" is another step forward for Entombed. I would recommend this album, along with the entire collection.

Entombed, once metals' true innovators with the classic "Left Hand Path", "Clandestine" and "Wolverine Blues" releases, here do the once unthinkable. Sounding like a bizarre cross between U2, Nirvana and some undiscovered alternative band, this release is just an absolute mess. L.G. Petrov, once one of death metals' most ferocious singers, sounds whiny and warbly here; his classic death metal roar reduced to thin, wannabe rockstar wailings. As a matter of fact, the whole group sounds like they want to be The Next Big Thing in rock. Thin riffs, inane lyrical content, and radio-friendly structures that are insulting to the legions of Entombed followers. I'm all for bands trying to find innovative ways to express their talents, but this is beyond redemption. With release of this cd, Entombed have practically destroyed all of their credibility in the metal underground. Entombed buries their talent in an attempt to cash in on the already dead alternative sound. Don't be surprised to find this in your local record stores put it in bins. A horrible misstep that might spell the end of the once almighty Entombed.

I won't sit here and lambast this album for the sudden and unwelcomed change in Entombed's change in musical style. If you where to play this album for me and not told me that it was Entombed I would of guessed a group that sounds a lot like Corrision of Comformity, but not as talented. That may seem harsh but is the truth. I have always been a fan of Entombed and I really liked their last album, but this one is just, uhmmm not very good. Even with the exterme musical change, it isn't very good. The few bright spots (ignoring the covers) is 20/20 vision. Which isn't awsome by any means, but has a catchy little riff. Do I have any insight into the sudden change, no not really. This album could never be sold as a commerical album, ever. It wouldn't get play on college radio, but it isn't worth your time. You need to listen to before you buy.