Definitely a solid album with a newer version containing bonus tracks. So in actuality, if you purchase it nowadays, it will feature those bonus songs. Not as good as 'Beneath the Remains' (1989), but still quality thrash from the legends themselves. Very good riff structures and intensity in playing. Max Cavalera belting out some good, aggressive, and intense vocals alongside the rhythms that just plain kick ass. Technical, fast as all hell, with tempos varying, gallops exhibited, solos that are crazy by Andreas Kisser and the bass plus drums fit in perfectly with this awesome release. So much energy and I wonder why their newer material they changed genres after Max left.

Yes you'll hear some great lyrics spewed out on this one, a true thrash metal conquered release. I'd have to say that it's difficult to compare this one from older recordings, but definitely much better than 'Morbid Visions' (1986), even though they started off as a death metal band in the early days. 'Schizophrenia' (1987) I did hear and was impressed, but still 'Beneath the Remains' is my favorite. There's many reasons for that, but let's talk about 'Arise'. A lot of changing up in aggression, some songs are fast as hell such as track 1, but overall the changes are dramatic and wholly aggressive as all hell.

Great guitar work here, some like this album the most, but really, in all originality sense, 'Beneath the Remains' is more original, 'Arise' it seems as though I've heard some riffs very similar before, however, in overall estimation and criticism, I would say that 'Arise' is definitely a Sepultura album not to leave out in your collection. Whole way better than 'Chaos A.D.' (1993), a newer one by the band when Max was still around. But I think the band started off with dedication to their thrash metal genre, but diminished over the years. Kind of like some bands just changing genres to sell more records.

If you want an mostly original thrash album that is filled with utmost intensity, aggression, technicality, originality, and utmost speed, 'Arise' hits home for you. YouTube songs and try 'Dead Embryonic Cells' and see what you think. I would say that Max and Andreas really put in a lot of time to make this album work so that Sepultura still can say that they have some albums that are definitely original and kick ass thrash metal. Andreas improved, his leads are less so on this one, but they still show his aggression and intensity along with technicality. There's some acoustic licks meshed in here as well.

Definitely don't leave this out of your thrash metal collection. I'd say that the production quality is superb, and all instruments were mixed well and nothing was left out. A dramatic and amazing concoction of songs and music that just damper your eardrums to the core. I think the band hit it's peak here, then went on that gradual decline like I said. So in effect, 'Arise' would be the best overall thrash metal album that measures up to Sepultura's longing talent, a talent that dissipated over the years, and to me and other fans of the band, are to hold in a precious memory. So as far as what I think here, 'Arise' hits home in all aspects. Get it now, you won't regret it!

Reviewed by Death8699
09/11/2013 19:32

Sepultura are the first Brazilian, and also the first South American band, that I ever got to hear. 'Arise', the band's fourth full-length album, is one of the first thrash metal albums I ever got to hear, after Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Kreator and Suicidal Tendencies. It was like from another planet. I remember its aura was mystifying, otherworldly and "something else".

A few days ago 'Arise' turned 30 years old. The album haven't aged a bit. The music is classic yet still absolutely vital, and the lyrics never get old, sadly. Eerie industrial sounds open the album before the band blast into action. Industrialism really entered metal music after the change to 1990s, and thrash metal was its true harbinger. State of the dying world had been noticed and these "childish metalheads" (as I've so often heard metalheads called as) did not want to be silent about it.

"Laboratory sickness, infects humanity. No hope for cure, die by technology." - 'Dead Embryonic Cells'

"Terrorist confrontation. Waiting for the end. Wartime conspiracy." - 'Arise'

"Censored ideas, counterfeit answers." - 'Altered State'

"I can't trust anymore. Criminals within the law. I have something to say. Where I live, don't believe in another day" - 'Murder'

Brazil was and is partly a very brutal place, and these young fellows at their early twenties were more than conscious about it all. Politicians, religions, and religious decision maker, and generally belligerent and people causing devestation all get their shares of wrath. The lyrics are straight-to-the-point and lurid. Max Cavalera's beary thras-throat vocals are filled with anger. The fantastic surreal Michael Whelan artwork cannot be ignored. It certainly reinforces the ominous atmosphere of the album. One of the legendary album cover artworks.

While 'Arise' isn't only a thrash metal album but is a death/thrash metal amalgamation, it does not include very fast thrash metal, even though it is a bloody enraged album. The title track's riffing, drum kit-bashing and rapid vocalization together with 'Infected Voice' are only full fast songs here, since the band often pull into mid-paced whacking. The band effortlessly fluctuate between (around) 76-161 beats per minute (on 'Beneath the Remains' 2 years earlier the tempos were 106-226 BPM, but even slower on earlier albums!). The atmosphere is totally thick throughout.

The riffs are often ugly and nasty, as are lead guitar melodies. There's some rapid good old thrash riffs, and generally the slower ones are just good old thrash riffs in slower tempo; from ripping to slower ripping, hah! They just have more space to breathe. Warped soloing is essential part for building up the bent vibes. The guitars are simply catchy, thanks Max Cavalera's and Andreas Kisser's sharp pens. Kisser's melodiusness reminds me of 'Testimony of the Ancients' by Pestilence, but that album was created simultaneously with' Arise'... Just like the industrial sounds on here, some acoustic guitar bits add to the ominous tone. There's some truly out-there parts in the songs, e.g. how the music sounds like it was played backwards ('Desperate Cry') and the highly moody tribalistic start of 'Altered States'.

The Scott Burns production here was one of the heaviest ever back in the early 1990s. The guitars are crisp and extensive, very much skull-drilling. The bass guitar, played by Kisser (Paulo Jr. actually played bass first time on album on 1993's 'Chaos A.D.') isn't outstanding due to its guitar-ish tone, plus it follows guitars and drums closely, but does its job in the end. However, Igor Cavalera, Max's younger brother, plays some recognizable beats. His style is sometimes very tribal-ish, meaning simplistic yet powerful, but also there's some Latin drumming elements in his playing.

Sepultura never created two similar albums with their classic line-up. Some didn't like the slower song material on 'Arise', but then again, it became a bonafide classic for multitude of metalheads. It still sounds very unique to this day, and it is a fucking oppressive, a dangerous one, and I love it to bits!

Rating: 10- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/30/2021 19:07