Alright this one was bound to come up at some point. I mean I’ve already reviewed the Soulfly discography so naturally it’s now time to review Sepultura. There aren’t many bands that are from Brazil that are as big as Sepultura especially metal bands. So here we go……..
Morbid Visions/Bestial Devastation- now like with any first album by any thrash band, the production on this is garbage. The Bestial Devastation EP that this album comes with sounds even worse. When I had read up on this one, it was noted that the production was rather poor and that the band didn’t even tune their guitars properly. When you listen to it, it doesn’t sound any different than any other thrash metal band’s debut album. Maybe it’s the fact that I was listening to the remastered version who knows? Anyway, the songs on the album so7 d like any other generic thrash metal mixed with some death metal. It should be noted that Andreas Kisser does not appear on this album. Anyway, I give this one 7/10
Standouts- Morbid Visions, War, Crucifixion, Antichrist (from Bestial Devastation), Necromancer (from Bestial Devastation)
Schizophrenia- this one is thrashier than the last one. I mean the production is a little better but it still sounds like any other thrash metal band from the 80’s. This is also the first album to feature Andreas Kisser on second guitar. On this one you can hear their sound which would be present on albums such as Beneath the Remains and even Chaos A.D. I remember always seeing this album in record stores and always wanting to buy it but it was always so damn expensive. Before I had heard this album, I always thought that Beneath the Remains was their best but after listening to this, I think it might be tied. Definitely a 9/10
Standouts: Escape To The Void, Screams Behind the Shadows, Septic Schizo
Beneath the Remains- alright this is one that I feel is the start of four awesome albums by Sepultura. Yes this is a continuation of the last album but it’s so good. Now if you want thrashy Sepultura, this is that album. Just the same, it’s a classic record. For me, this one is right up there with albums like Peace Sells by Megadeth. Some of the songs have been slightly slowed down but the ones that are, are slow and crushing. Definitely another 9/10
Standouts: Mass Hypnosis, Beneath the Remains, Lobotomy
Arise- if you want a faster album than Beneath the Remains, this is your album. The songs definitely flow a lot better here and with the last one they really found their style. Here they continue it and there are bits of industrial and Latin percussion mixed in. Apparently they were supposed to open the Clash of the Titans shows but I guess it just never happened. Regardless, this is definitely one of their best albums. I give it 10/10
Standouts: Dead Embryonic Cells, Subtraction, Infected Voice
Chaos A.D.- rather than make the same album like the last two, there is more of a groove metal thing going on here. And while yes the songs do seem to have been slowed down, they are still just as brutal as ever. This is another classic record and was actually my introduction to them. I remember seeing the video for Refuse Resist and thinking that they were so heavy and badass. I mean what else can I say that hasn’t been said before about this classic record. If you want to start with Sepultura, then start with this record. Definitely another 10/10
Standouts: Slave New World, Nomad, Biotech is Godzilla
Roots- ah so here it is. This is probably what some would say is their Nü Metal album. In some ways yes it is a Nü Metal album because it’s such a departure from their previous albums. This one has a lot of tribal elements mixed in and it’s a really cool record. This unfortunately would also be the last record to have founding member Max Cavalera as there would be a falling out between him and the rest of the band. That being said, this is another classic record (I mean they played the first ever Ozzfest while touring this record)and it’s another 10/10.
Standouts: Cut Throat, Ratamahatta, Ambush
So as everyone knows, there was a falling out with Max and the rest of the band and he quit the band to form Soulfy. The rest of the guys including his brother Igor Cavalera carried on with new singer Derrick Green and kept the name. With Derek, they made….
Against- so here we have the first record with new singer Derrick Green. I must say that for the longest time, I avoided the stuff with Derrick as the vocalis and that’s mostly because I figured the band was done for after Max left. That and people were always saying that it’s not Sepultura without Max. This album kind of proves them right but you know what it’s actually not half bad. Derrick’s vocals aren’t spectacular but then again he had some big shoes to fill. I mean this is not a terrible album by any means but it’s not nearly as good as Roots or the albums before it yet there is potential for them to do better in the future. I give this 5/10
Standouts: Hatred Aside, Floaters in Mud, Drowned Out
Nation- so this one, is definitely a step up from the last album. One thing I will say about Derrick is that he does not try to be a Max Cavalera clone and that’s something to be commended. It’s so annoying when singers try to be a clone of their predecessors. That said, this one is definitely better than the last album and no it’s not better than an album like Beneath or Chaos. This one I feel like is kind of hit or miss. Yes there are some great moments but as a whole, it’s just ok. Like it’s not bad but it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. I give it 6/10
Standouts: Who Must Die?, Reject, Revolt
Roorback- ok so I had heard about this album from magazines like Revolver and even browsing their Myspace page (yes I’m old AF) but I never really listened to it because well, no Max. I must say though that listening to it now, it’s actually not bad. It’s more energetic than Nation and Against and at the end of the day, it’s not terrible. If you are a hardcore fan of the band with Max, I can see how one might not like it but if you go into this open minded then it’s not bad. Again though, while this record is a decent record, it’s still a little slow in parts for my taste and I give it 6.5/10
Standouts: Leech, Corrupted, Mind War
Dante XXI- we have a concept album here and it’s based on the Divine Comedy. I remember seeing the video for the song Convicted in Life and thinking “wow new Sepultura isn’t bad.” I went to Warehouse Music and bought the album and the rest of the album is actually quite good. It’s dark and heavy, and might be their best with Derrick so far. Sadly, this would also be the last album to feature Igor Cavalera on drums. While this is the best with Derrick, some of the songs do seem to be a bit repetitive but as a whole, this album is pretty good. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Convicted in Life, Dark Wood of Error, False
A-Lex- another concept album here and this time it’s based on A Clockwork Orange. The sound of this album I’d say is more of a hardcore punk meets thrash record than just an all out thrash record. Again with me I ignored this album since both Cavalera brothers were now not in the band but this album is pretty decent. The songs are good and the riffs are awesome. Overall a good album and again if you can get past the absence of the Cavalera brothers you might actually enjoy this but personally I don’t think it’s quite as strong as Dante which is why I give it 6.5/10
Standouts: The Treatment, Enough Said, Paradox
Kairos- definitely a step up for this band that’s for sure and again, I sort of ignored this record because of the lack of Cavalera brothers but this record is actually decent. I do think it’s slightly than previous albums with Derrick as the voice. But I’m finding that while there are some good songs on these records, there is a good amount of filler. There is a cover of the Ministry song Just One Fix which is actually pretty good. I give this one 7/10
Standouts: Dialog, Seethe, No One Will Stand
The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart- damn that’s a long album name. This is another concept album and it’s based on the film Metropolis. The sound and vibe for this album is dark and thrashy and of course brutal. The opening track has got to be one of the best songs they’ve made with Derrick on vocals. Now some reviews I’ve read did say that it’s better or right up there with Chaos A.D. and while this is a good album, it’s nowhere near that. Like I said with this lineup, there are good songs but these albums also have a good amount of filler. I give this 8/10
Standouts: Trauma of War, Manipulation of Tragedy, Da Lama Ao Caos
Machine Messiah- one thing I will say that stands out on this record is the guitar work. Andreas Kisser’s guitar work is really noticeable here and is actually quite good. Do I think this is the best album in a long time? Kind of yes. It does continue in the same trend as Dante XXI and Against and actually, you could listen to those albums, skip Mediator, and listen to this first. It’s weird I know. The sound on this has a very classical guitar and Latin sound to it. I actually think that it’s their best so far with Derrick and definitely one should check this out. I’m also going to go out and say that I found parts of this record to be very relaxing. I give this 8/10
Standouts: Iceberg Dances, Phantom Self, Vandals Self
Quadra- I had actually heard the first single Isolation on Sirius Liquid Metal and actually enjoyed it. This record is different because it’s divided into four parts. The first is more thrashier, the second has more songs with groove to them, the third has more progression, and the fourth is more melodic. All this makes for a very unique record. Overall, this record is actually quite good especially for its uniqueness. I definitely recommend checking it out and I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: Isolation, Capital Enslavement, Autem
I think it’s safe to say that this is a band where they are now their own thing and not stuck in the past. Yes the Max stuff is great and untouchable there’s no denying that but really go into the current stuff with an open mind and you will have a much better listening experience. No the Derrick stuff is not perfect but there are actually some really good songs and hopefully one day we will get that Sepultura reunion but on the other hand, it did start with Max and Igor so really if you want to see them just go see Cavalera Conspiracy live and there you go. Do I think they should change the name? Absolutely.
Album Rankings:
- Arise
- Beneath the Remains
- Roots
- Chaos A.D.
- Schizophrenia
- Machine Messiah
- Quadra
- Dante XXI
- Morbid Visions/Bestial Devastation
- Kairos
- The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart
- Roorback
- A-Lex
- Against
- Nation
Sinister Reviews 