What makes Left Hand Path by Entombed notable?

'Left Hand Path' is often credited with influencing the death metal genre, particularly through its signature sound characterized by heavy, distorted guitars and growled vocals. The album received critical acclaim upon release, appearing on numerous best-of lists and solidifying Entombed's status within the metal community. When 'Left Hand Path' was released in 1989, Entombed was establishing itself as a pioneering force in the Swedish death metal scene. This debut album arrived shortly after the band's formation and laid the groundwork for their subsequent influence on extreme metal genres.

Who is Left Hand Path for?

Left Hand Path works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and layered, dense sonic textures.

How many songs are on Left Hand Path?

Left Hand Path has 12 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Left Hand Path

Entombed · 1989

47 min · 12 tracks · death metal

A relentless fusion of gritty guitar riffs and guttural vocals that redefine the boundaries of death metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Left Hand Path — The title track encapsulates the band's sound with its iconic riff and aggressive tempo, representing the essence of what would define Swedish death metal.
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Drowned — With its crushing heaviness and eerie atmosphere, this track showcases Entombed's ability to blend melody with brutality, setting it apart from contemporaries.
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Revel in Flesh — This song features razor-sharp riffs and a relentless pace, highlighting the band’s technical prowess while epitomizing the lyrical themes of decay and darkness present throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

This debut showcases strong songwriting and a distinctive sound that influenced the death metal genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a fast-paced, aggressive guitar riff followed by guttural vocals, setting a relentless tone.
Several tracks employ abrupt tempo changes, such as 'When Life Has Ceased,' which shifts from mid-tempo to faster sections, creating dynamic contrasts.
The use of dissonant chords and heavy distortion is consistent throughout, particularly in tracks like 'Drowned' and 'Revel in Flesh,' reinforcing the album's dark atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
layered, dense sonic textures
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

Career context: When 'Left Hand Path' was released in 1989, Entombed was establishing itself as a pioneering force in the Swedish death metal scene. This debut album arrived shortly after the band's formation and laid the groundwork for their subsequent influence on extreme metal genres.
Stylistic neighbors: Dismember· At the Gates· Carcass