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Entombed (band)

From Alfawiki
Entombed
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1987
FounderNicke Andersson, Alex Hellid, Leif Cuzner
Headquarters
Stockholm
,
Sweden
ProductsDeath metal music

Entombed is a Swedish death metal group established in 1987 initially under the name Nihilist. They are recognized as pioneers of Scandinavian death metal, notable for their distinctive "buzzsaw" guitar sound. By the early 1990s, their musical style incorporated elements of garage rock, resulting in the development of what became known as death 'n' roll. Alongside Dismember, Grave, and Unleashed, Entombed is often cited as one of the "big four" within the Swedish death metal scene.

Formation and Early Years (1987–1991)

Entombed emerged from the band Nihilist, which was founded in 1987 by drummer Nicke Andersson, guitarist Alex Hellid, and bassist Leif Cuzner. After cycling through several temporary vocalists, they brought on board L.G. Petrov, previously with Morbid, a group that included members associated with Mayhem. The band also incorporated Morbid’s session guitarist Uffe Cederlund, recording demos that paved the way for their first album. Due to internal disagreements, most members decided to continue under a new name, Entombed, rather than replace any personnel.

Their debut record Left Hand Path released in 1990 gained cult status and firmly established their presence in the Swedish death metal arena. Both Left Hand Path and its successor Clandestine showcased the hallmark "buzzsaw" guitar tone. Prior to recording Clandestine, Petrov was dismissed owing to personal conflicts. Drummer Andersson took over vocal duties for that album, and for their 1991 tour, they enlisted Johnny Dordevic, formerly of Carnage, as vocalist.

Mid-Period Developments (1992–2000)

Following a period apart during which Petrov recorded with Comecon, he rejoined Entombed leading to the 1993 release of Wolverine Blues. This album represented a departure from their earlier style by fusing elements of hard rock and heavy metal with death metal, effectively pioneering the death 'n' roll subgenre. While it divided some fans, it enhanced their mainstream appeal and critical acclaim and is regarded as a landmark release in early 1990s death metal.

The 1998 album Same Difference was notable as the first without founding drummer Nicke Andersson, who left to prioritize his work with The Hellacopters. His position was filled by Peter Stjärnvind. Subsequently, Entombed released Uprising in 2000 and followed up with Morning Star in 2001.

Later Years and Lineup Changes (2001–2009)

In 2001, Entombed engaged in a collaborative project with performance artists Carina Reich and Bogdan Szyberb, alongside the Royal Swedish Ballet, producing Unreal Estate.

The 2003 release Inferno marked the final album featuring guitarist Uffe Cederlund—who later joined Disfear—as well as bassist Jörgen Sandström and drummer Peter Stjärnvind. Producer Nico Elgstrand joined as bassist in 2004 following his work on Uprising. Drumming duties were taken over by Olle Dahlstedt (from Alpha Safari and ex–Misery Loves Co.) in 2006. After Cederlund’s departure in 2005, Alex Hellid remained the only guitarist.

Released on 9 July 2007, Serpent Saints – The Ten Amendments demonstrated a renewed emphasis on traditional death metal influences and was the first record featuring Dahlstedt on drums and Elgstrand on bass.

2010–2020

In 2010, Victor Brandt became the band's bassist, while Nico Elgstrand transitioned to guitar duties, reestablishing the ensemble’s dual-guitar configuration.

During April 2013, Entombed collaborated with the Sundsvall Chamber Orchestra at the Nordfest event.

That same year, a legal conflict arose between Petrov and Hellid concerning rights to the Entombed name. By 2014, L.G. Petrov, Olle Dahlstedt, Nico Elgstrand, and Victor Brandt had formed Entombed A.D., as Hellid retained ownership of the trademark.

Concurrently, Hellid, Cederlund, and Säfström reunited in February 2014 to perform Clandestine alongside the Gävle Symphonic Orchestra and choir; Thomas von Wachenfeldt handled bass duties. Although Nicke Andersson planned to participate, scheduling conflicts prevented his involvement.

In October 2016, Hellid, Andersson, and Cederlund reassembled under the Entombed name with Robert Andersson (vocals) and Edvin Aftonfalk (bass), both formerly of Morbus Chron. Their initial appearance was at the Close-Up Båten festival cruise. The following month in Malmö, they commemorated the 25th anniversary of Clandestine with a two-part performance: an orchestral set featuring Säfström and von Wachenfeldt, followed by a traditional lineup including Andersson and Aftonfalk.

2021–present

On 7 March 2021, former frontman Lars-Göran Petrov passed away at age 49 due to cholangiocarcinoma.

On 14 July 2022, Entombed took the stage at Gefle Metal Festival with Alex Hellid, Nicke Andersson, Uffe Cederlund, and Jörgen Sandström on vocals. The show also featured guest vocalists Tomas Lindberg, Scott Carlson, Johnny Hedlund, Urskogr, and Cronos; former drummer Peter Stjärnvind made a guest appearance as well.

On 1 March 2025, the band announced their return to the studio to develop new material for their first album in nearly twenty years.

Style and legacy

Entombed is regarded as one of the foremost European death metal bands—often cited among the "big four" alongside Dismember, Grave, and Unleashed. They are distinguished by their signature "buzzsaw" guitar sound, produced through a combination of a Peavey amplifier and a Boss HM-2 distortion pedal. Their musical approach has influenced acts such as Black Breath, Nails, Early Graves, and Trap Them.

Drummer Nicke Andersson emphasized their early engagement with the American death metal underground scene, citing bands like Death, Possessed, Repulsion, and Autopsy as key inspirations. He remarked that exposure to this heavier music led them to quickly move beyond thrash metal, which they viewed as less substantial.

Influences

The band's primary inspirations include Obituary, Napalm Death, GBH, Suicidal Tendencies, the Stupids, Atheist, Executioner, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Slayer, Celtic Frost, alongside earlier influences such as Repulsion and Autopsy.

Personnel

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2

Current members
  • Alex Hellid – guitar, backing vocals (1987–2014, 2016–present)
  • Uffe Cederlund – guitar, organ, backing vocals (1987–2005, 2014, 2016–present), bass (1989–1990)
  • Nicke Andersson – drums (1987–1997, 2016–present), lead vocals (1992), bass (1989–1990)
  • Jörgen Sandström – bass, backing vocals (1995–2004, 2022–), lead vocals (2022–)
Former members
  • Mattias Boström – lead vocals (1987–1988)
  • Leif Cuzner – bass (1987–1988; died 2006)
  • Johnny Hedlund – bass (1988–1989)
  • Lars-Göran Petrov – lead vocals, piano (1988-1991, 1992–2014; died 2021)
  • David Blomqvist – bass (1989)
  • Lars Rosenberg – bass (1990–1995)
  • Johnny Dordevic – lead vocals (1991–1992)
  • Orvar Säfström – lead vocals (1991, 2014)
  • Peter Stjärnvind – drums (1997–2006, guest 2022)
  • Nico Elgstrand – bass (2004–2010), guitar (2010–2014), backing vocals
  • Olle Dahlstedt – drums (2006–2014)
  • Victor Brandt – bass (2010–2014)
  • Edvin Aftonfalk – bass (2016–2022)
  • Robert Andersson – lead vocals (2016–2022)

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Session/guest musicians
  • Fred Estby – vocals, drums
  • Matti Kärki – vocals
  • Peder Carlsson – harmonica
  • Anders Lindström – rhythm guitar
  • Colten Lavalle - drumtar
  • Daniel Rey – spoken word on one song
  • Östen Warnerbring – vocals and saxophone for one TV performance
  • Thomas von Wachenfeldt – bass and orchestral arrangements on the Classical Clandestine symphonic concerts

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Timeline

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Colors = 

id:Vocals  value:red         legend:Vocals
id:Guitar value:green       legend:Guitar
id:Bass    value:blue        legend:Bass
id:Drums   value:orange      legend:Drums,_percussion
id:lines   value:black       legend:Studio_release
id:bars    value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData = 

 at:06/04/1990 color:black layer:back
 at:11/12/1991 color:black layer:back
 at:10/04/1993 color:black layer:back
 at:10/06/1997 color:black layer:back
 at:11/16/1998 color:black layer:back
 at:03/06/2000 color:black layer:back
 at:09/03/2001 color:black layer:back
 at:08/01/2003 color:black layer:back
 at:06/25/2007 color:black layer:back

BarData = 

 bar:Boström text:"Mattias Boström" 
 bar:Petrov text:"LG Petrov"
 bar:Säfström text:"Orvar Säfström"
 bar:Dordevic text:"Johnny Dordevic"
 bar:Robert text:"Robert Andersson"
 bar:Hellid text:"Alex Hellid"
 bar:Cederlund text:"Uffe Cederlund"
 bar:Cuzner text:"Leif Cuzner"
 bar:Hedlund text:"Johnny Hedlund"
 bar:Blomqvist text:"David Blomqvist"
 bar:Rosenberg text:"Lars Rosenberg"
 bar:Sandström text:"Jörgen Sandström"
 bar:Elgstrand text:"Nico Elgstrand"
 bar:Brandt text:"Victor Brandt"
 bar:Wachenfeldt text:"Thomas von Wachenfeldt"
 bar:Edvin text:"Edvin Aftonfalk"
 bar:Andersson text:"Nicke Andersson"
 bar:Stjärnvind text:"Peter Stjarnvind"
 bar:Dahlstedt text:"Olle Dahlstedt"

PlotData= 

 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
 bar:Boström from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/1988 color:Vocals
 bar:Petrov from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/1991 color:Vocals
 bar:Säfström from:01/01/1991 till:02/01/1991 color:Vocals
 bar:Säfström from:02/01/2014 till:02/15/2014 color:Vocals
 bar:Petrov from:07/01/1992 till:01/01/2014 color:Vocals
 bar:Robert from:05/03/2016 till:01/01/2022 color:Vocals
 bar:Dordevic from:02/01/1991 till:07/01/1991 color:Vocals
 bar:Hellid from:01/01/1987 till:02/15/2014 color:Guitar
 bar:Hellid from:05/03/2016 till:end color:Guitar
 bar:Cederlund from:01/01/1987 till:09/01/2005 color:Guitar
 bar:Cederlund from:02/01/2014 till:02/15/2014 color:Guitar
 bar:Cederlund from:05/03/2016 till:end color:Guitar
 bar:Cuzner from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/1988 color:Bass
 bar:Hedlund from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/1989 color:Bass
 bar:Blomqvist from:01/01/1989 till:01/01/1990 color:Bass

PlotData continues consistent with original timeline data. </timeline>

Discography

Studio albums

References

Bibliography

  • Ekeroth, Daniel (2008). Swedish Death Metal. Bazillion Points Books. .

External links

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