So largely, this album , along with Morbid Vomit‘s Return to the Crypts and Cult of Endtime‘s In Charnel Lights,  and Abscession’s, Grave Offerings are responsible for my relative lack of enthusiasm for Entrails‘ Obliteration. And to be fair, Obliteration is still pretty good, but its safe sound along with these other albums really tempered my love of the album.

So what’s the big deal? I mean Feral’s Ibex Moon debut, Dragged to the Altar was an OK affair of Swedish death metal right? But on Where Dead Dreams Dwell the group of Swedish veterans culled from largely unknown other Swedish bands have forged a massive, groove laden, Grave  circa You’ll Never See/ Soulless era albums. It’s got everything- the massive mid range buzz, burly throbbing bass, the bellowed vocals and the perfect balance of catchy gallops, blasts and thick, monster grooves.

It’s got the energy and chops of the first 3 Entrails albums, which maybe why I was so drawn to it, while Obliteration seemed to lack the the same energy and chops. It’s not ground breaking, its not game changing but it is incredibly satisfying, especially for fans of Swedish death metal and its classic tone.

From opener “Swallowed by Darkness” to closer “Succumb to Terror” the 10 tracks all hit the mid range sweet spot with lumbering, thick lopes and D beat canters (“Carving the Blood Eagle”) , and like Morbid Vomit, some awkward growl along moments (i.e “Creatures Among the Coffins”). While all the tracks are unskippable, there are a couple of standouts which mix some nice energy with a focus on mid paced, beefier moments like “As the Feast Begins, “Inhumation Ceremony” and thunderous “Mass Resurrection”.”Succumb to Terror” ends the album with a shorter, faster blast, to leave you reeling and remembering the album in a positive, nostalgic light.

[Visit the band's website]

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