Cover art can sometimes speak more than a thousand words. Cover art on the band' two classic albums 'Beneath the Remains' (1989) and 'Arise' (1991) could only mean thrash/death metal and that was the case. 'Roorback's cover art could mean more hardcore style stuff and it too holds water. A short remark: those two classic Sepultura albums are very, very import for me, as they introduced me brutal thrash metal.

On 1993 platter 'Chaos A.D.', Sepultura started to show their punk and hardcore influences. Ten years later those influences play quite a sizeable part in the band's music. Actually, the metal is kind of gone and I don't like that fact a bit! Where did the band lose those fantastic riffs that were still abound on 'Chaos A.D.'?! Guitar sound is muddy and riffs are too often replaced with noisy guitar abuse, something like mid 1990s alternative rock. So, spirit of 'Roots' (1996) can be heard throughout the album, only the speed is faster here for quite some time. There's also ambient parts every now and then. While the band sound energetic and all, it's the songs that are missing for a big part. 'Urge' is a perfect example of that, I think. I mean, this stuff doesn't stick to my mind! Not surprisingly, Brazil's musical heritage can also be heard. Anyways, I always thought is was ex-axeman/vocalist Max Cavalera, who was into HC and that kinda shite. But as this one shows, I was wrong I guess. Bonus track, U2's 'Bullet the Blue Sky' (also enchanced video included) happens to be a dastardly boring song, too. And cut 8 minutes off the album's duration. Yep, silence on 'Outro' before a hidden song.

Performance is full of energy, no doubt about that. Igor Cavalera's punishing kit banging is one of the Sepultura's strongest trademarks. Andreas Kisser's warped solos are here occasionally, thankfully, but as mentioned, the old school riffing ain't. There's some ultra-heavy bass work courtesy of Paulo Jr. Heaviness alone is not enough, not for me. Vocalist Derrick Green abuses his throat, and occasionally shows some somewhat melodic things. But for me, it was always Max who sung on Sepultura records. Lyrical content is more or less social criticism. Sound is raw but also every instrument is well audible.

So, 'Roorback' is more like an alternative rock/HC hybrid, rather than a metal album. I'm disappointed the way Sepultura have travelled since 'Chaos A.D.'. I know many metal fanatics hated that album also, but fuck it, I don't hate this, I just don't like this. Let's see what next Sepultura record brings to us, as it seems to include some horns!!! Now gimme some old school thrash, fast..!

Rating: 4 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/14/2005 21:14