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Sepultura: Kairos

05/08/11 || Habakuk

I have to admit that I haven’t paid any attention to “new” Sepultura at all, almost. What was that one album called? “Roorback”, yeah. That and the odd song bit here and there. In the meantime, Igor Cavalera left the band. Little did I care anymore, as also what Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy had been dishing out hadn’t impressed me in the slightest. So, a formerly proclaimed lover of Sepultura, I had to discover via an Audio Autopsy, where monthly releases get shoved up our staffers’ behinds a dime a dozen, that they had a new record out. I didn’t even know the new drummer’s name.

One can say that we had spent some time apart, Sepultura and me. And it probably was for the better, as by now I feel I can listen to them without constantly having to think of MAX. I’m assuming that listeners not being able to take an album for what it is due to overshadowing past efforts, can be one of the most paralyzing obstacles for a band, no difference how hard they try. This time though, you will not read the above name again, because finally it really doesn’t seem to matter anymore. Sepultura are holding their own again, with only one founding and one long-running member left.

Now don’t get me wrong. If you are listening to this and haven’t heard “Arise” or “Beneath the remains”, you deserve to be shot. Wow, that was mean. Shot at. That’s more of a general rule with new releases in my book though, and it doesn’t necessarily stem from the dark, groovy thrash the band are venturing into, for that ain’t bad at all. Is it consistently great for 14 songs straight? Hardly, but strike three 30 seconds interludes and two or three weaker tunes, and we have ourselves a solid body of pretty awesome, punchy material. Have Sepultura completely changed? No, they haven’t. There is a considerable Chaos A.D. vibe going on, as well as some of their once trademark “tribal” inclinations in sample and drum patterns. It’s heavy as hell, too, and they’ve found the great tension between pulsating drumming and thick, grooving riffs again. Yes, Jean Dolabella (Now I know) sounds like a pretty worthy replacement for good ole Igor, including his bass-heavy drum production.

High quality or not, it’s not all stellar, but the title track for one is among the best examples of the elements flowing together again for the band. Supported by ace drumming, Andreas Kisser’s simple, chugging riffing lays a great bottom line for Derrick Green’s straightforward grunts and raspy shouts The result is a catchy, crushing example of modern-sounding metal without all the shit that the word “modern” has been associated with in common metal lore. There are other good songs, a Ministry cover even, but I really recommend “Kairos” (the song) to find out what this band is still (or again?) capable of.

If you have been completely dismissing “we are now playing with an orchestra“ (well, not here, luckily) Sepultura as a bunch of old fucks who don’t know when to quit, think again. You might end up as surprised as me.

7.5

Information
Released: 2011
Label: Nuclear blast
Website: www.sepultura.com.br
Band
Derrick Green: vocals
Andreas Kisser: guitars
Paulo Jr.: bass
Jean Dolabella: drums

Tracklist
01. Spectrum
02. Kairos
03. Relentless
04. 2011
05. Just one fix
06. Dialog
07. Mask
08. 1433
09. Seethe
10. Born strong
11. Embrace the storm
12. 5772
13. No one will stand
14. Structure violence (Azzes)
15. 4648

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