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Having beaten the odds time and again throughout
their musical career, Sepultura, for the better part of two years,
were found at a crossroads of uncertainty that would prove their
most difficult challenge. They had to decide between replacing
original singer/co-founder Max Cavalera and carrying on the tradition
of the band, or laying the legacy to rest and moving in their
own directions. Luckily, the band dug down deep, and realizing
that Max, though an integral part of the band's history, was
settled into his new project Soulfly. Sepultura should carry
on, leaving the past to the past.
The three remaining members recruited a
yet untested vocalist from Cleveland, Derrick Green, an accomplished
singer, but still a practical unknown. Out of their initial sessions,
Sepultura would arise again and move forward out of the depths
of despair and succeed against uncertain odds. With their latest
release "Against," the strong one-word title takes
on new significance as it can apply to many different circumstances
which all led to the point they've reached today. Going "against"
the rule and persevering… going "against" the
odds and winning… etc. Of course time will be the judge
as to whether their choice was the correct one, but after hearing
the volatile content and limitless intent that "Against"
represents, the odds should no doubt weigh heavily in their favor.
"Against" features the same power-packed
intensity and barbaric brutality that's always been the core
for Sepultura -- after all, the music's still the same, only
the voice has changed. After listening to a few of the monstrous
opening cuts that are featured on "Against," that voice
has little difficulty living up to the ideal of a band on a vengeful
return mission. Green however, is not a Cavalera impersonator
and deserves a fair shake for bringing his own powerhouse brand
of vocals to the record.
The album takes on a progressively modern
characteristic, yet remains faithful enough to Sepultura's roots.
It embodies the best the band has offered since their formation
over a decade ago, and culminates from a broad range of styles
that developed over time and ultimately flourishing with their
last groundbreaking album "Roots."
"Against" features a briefer
element of cultural diversity with relation to their past, but
is still evident when the playback approaches titles like "Tribus,"
"Common Bonds," "Reza," and "Kamaitachi"
which was recorded on a brief visit to Japan. Cultural influence
aside, from the blistering assault that begins with "Against"
and "Choke," (this one'll leave ya red-faced for sure!!)
and scales down toward "Drowned Out" and "Hatred
Aside," Sepultura's latest will make a believer out of you
and "Against" is one that'll quickly take its rightful
place a notch ahead of "Roots" in the CD rack. |
