Candlelight Records suggests Serpent Saints: The Ten Amendments to be Entombed's "best work since Wolverine Blues!!!" and while this is not entirely true, the new album is a fine slab of Metal that serves to incorporate almost all of Entombed at once. This really is an excellent synthesis of that which has come before in the name of Entombed and an indication of what may lie ahead. Alternately invoking Motörhead, Slayer, and Black Sabbath, lifers Lars-Göran Petrov (lead throat) and Alex Hellid (axes) are back with Nico Elgstrand (4-strings) and Olle Dahlstedt (battery) to crush. Theirs is the throne of Swedish Metal, period. All others are pretenders.

"When in Sodom," also of the same-named EP from last year with a 06/06/06 release, naturally, is a great song that should find a semi-permanent place in the band's set list for years to come. Other strong tracks include "In the Blood" [which may actually be called "In Your Blood"] with a slightly melodic twist in the vocals and Oriental guitar themes throughout. "Masters of Death" may be a semi-tongue-in-cheek tribute to themselves, but it also features some Black Metal vocals a la Goatwhore. Are these from an unmentioned guest contribution or did Nicke Andersson make an appearance after all? Regardless, Serpent Saints is easily Entombed's best record since Morning Star. Best lyrics on the album: "I love it like you love Jesus." Who wants to wager when that will show up on a shirt?

Bonus round: Album closer "Love Song for Lucifer" is an eerie soundscape that could serve as a horror movie soundtrack. While a sonic departure from the other "9 amendments" it is not without its place on the record.

written by Tony Belcher

Playing time: 41.30