Ελληνικά
How One Groove Gamechanger Shook Death Metal’s Core
Entombed’s “Wolverine Blues,” released on October 4, 1993, is the third studio album of the band. It marked a significant stylistic evolution where Entombed pioneered the death ‘n’ roll subgenre by fusing traditional death metal with groove-laden hard rock and punk influences, as here the band departed from the pure brutality and complexity of their earlier works, blending the raw aggression of death metal with driving grooves borrowed from hard rock, punk, and groove metal, resulting in a fresh, dynamic sound that expanded the boundaries of metal in the early ’90s.The album was produced by Tomas Skogsberg at Sunlight Studios in Stockholm, known for crafting the iconic “buzzsaw” guitar tone synonymous with Swedish death metal. Released through Earache Records, “Wolverine Blues” was distributed with varying artwork, including a controversial version featuring Marvel’s Wolverine character, which was done without the band’s consent to extend mainstream appeal.
“Wolverine Blues” was recorded at the renowned Sunlight Studios in Stockholm, with Tomas Skogsberg at the helm as producer and engineer. Skogsberg’s production style was instrumental in crafting the album’s distinct sonic identity, utilizing the now-famous “buzzsaw” guitar tone achieved through specific equipment like the Boss HM-2 pedal combined with Peavey amplifiers. The recording sessions emphasized a blend of raw energy and musical experimentation, moving away from the more intricate arrangements and technicality of previous albums toward a more straightforward yet highly effective approach. The band worked with a modest budget typical of the era but managed to capture a sound that was simultaneously gritty, powerful, and surprisingly accessible. The line-up featured L-G Petrov returning on vocals with his iconic growl, alongside guitarists Uffe Cederlund and Alex Hellid, bassist Lars Rosenberg, and drummer Nicke Andersson, who also contributed to the album’s artwork and design
Lyrically, “Wolverine Blues” features a mix of dark, visceral themes that explore existential pain, inner turmoil, and apocalyptic imagery. The lyrics, while sometimes deemed “silly,” have a rawness and memorability that complement the music’s intense emotional delivery. The music itself incorporates bluesy guitar solos and a swaggering groove that deviated from the pure aggression of earlier death metal, embracing a heavier rock ‘n’ roll swagger with mid-tempo, groove metal elements reminiscent of bands like Pantera. This unique blend created an aggressive but “alive and kicking” vibe that distinguished the album.
The artwork for “Wolverine Blues” plays a significant role in its identity. The band preferred a more traditional aesthetic aligned with their sound, yet Earache Records, aiming for broader commercial exposure, arranged for Marvel Comics’ Wolverine to appear on the cover without the band’s permission. This cover not only caused some controversy but also included a mini-comic and was heavily edited, omitting tracks such as “Out of Hand.” The band’s original aesthetic emphasized a raw, gritty vibe congruent with the music, but the label’s marketing strategy highlighted an attempt to penetrate mainstream markets. Besides the Marvel cover, the original releases and subsequent reissues feature dark, moody, and somewhat abstract artworks consistent with death metal’s themes.
Earache Records handled the album’s distribution, successfully positioning it within both underground metal and wider markets by leveraging deals such as with Marvel Comics. This strategic approach included remastered editions with Full Dynamic Range (FDR) audio to enhance the listening experience for vinyl and CD releases years later, ensuring the album’s longevity and reach. Earache Records played a crucial role in bringing “Wolverine Blues” to audiences worldwide. Leveraging their effective underground-to-mainstream distribution networks, the label supported the album’s rollout with multiple editions, including remastered Full Dynamic Range versions on CD and vinyl to appeal to audiophiles. Earache’s distribution strategy was both a blessing and a challenge, as their commercial ambitions sometimes clashed with the band’s underground ethos, notably with the Marvel cover deal. Nonetheless, Earache’s efforts helped “Wolverine Blues” gain extensive reaches during the early ’90s metal renaissance, solidifying its place in the genre’s history. Please note that Entombed never wanted their album to be related to the Marvel Comics superhero; Earache Records, without their permission, made a deal with Marvel and used Wolverine to promote the album to the mainstream audience, with the music video for the title track prominently featuring illustrations of the character. This edition included a Wolverine mini-comic inside the CD booklet. The Marvel edition was also heavily edited, with the track “Out of Hand” being removed entirely. A limited number of early pressings of the album contained audio samples taken from films (most notably Flatliners and Hellraiser III) which were subsequently removed from later pressing due to record label fears of potential legal action over their unlicensed use.
“Wolverine Blues” significantly impacted Entombed’s legacy and the Swedish death metal genre. It solidified Entombed as innovators willing to expand death metal’s boundaries by introducing groove and rock elements, thus birthing the death ‘n’ roll subgenre. The album is often hailed as one of the best death metal albums of the era (notably named 1994’s best death metal album by Guitar World) and served as a transitional masterpiece bridging traditional Swedish death metal with a more accessible, groove-infused style. This shift influenced numerous bands and helped Swedish death metal gain international recognition beyond just brutal aggression, highlighting a versatility in the genre’s sound palette. However, some purists saw it as a departure from the genre’s roots, sparking debate that continues in metal circles.
“Wolverine Blues” stands as a groundbreaking album in metal history, combining raw death metal energy with bluesy, groove-laden rock, encapsulated by Tomas Skogsberg’s signature production and Earache Records’ strategic distribution. The album’s aesthetic, controversial Marvel cover and its lyrical themes form part of its unique identity. Its legacy endures as a defining moment for Entombed and the broader Swedish death metal scene, pioneering a subgenre and inspiring countless followers.
