We all know about the first incarnation of the legendary Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura. Even though this new boxset covers the second phase of the band’s long history, I will be delving back into the Max Cavalera era to tell the full story of this fantastic new remastered set so please bear with me!

I’ll be honest with you, I’m one of the original Sepultura fans whose love affair with the band began with the legendary Beneath the Remains album (I struggled with the Bestial Devastation, Morbid Visions and Schizophrenia albums).  I saw the video for Inner Self on an episode of Headbangers Ball that coincided with a gig they played at London’s Marquee club and I bought the album the next day. The Scott Burns produced album blew me away and the next album Arise was even better.

I got to see them with Sacred Reich supporting at Newport Centre in 91 and they were superb! 1993 saw the band release my favourite Sepultura album Chaos AD, this was the first time the band started experimenting with Brazilian rhythms and acoustic guitars and it brought a whole new element to their sound. I even forgave them for the album’s liner notes stating that they recorded the album in Rockfield Studios, Wales……England!! Arghhh lol. A fantastic set at Donington in 1994 cemented them into this metalheads all-time favourite bands.

By the time Roots came along in 96, the Latin influences and huge down tuned metal riffs combined to make a sonic assault that had never been heard before. They really were a game changing band even recording with Brazilian tribes in the rain forest. Incredible stuff…

Max left the band after the tragic death of his stepson Dana Wells in a car accident, and the bands relationship was left in tatters after the other three members including his brother Iggor, decided that they wanted to fire manager Gloria Bujnowski (also Max’s wife). This prompted Cavalera’s exit and led to him forming the successful Soulfly.

Sepultura recruited new vocalist Derrick Green and released the first album in this boxset – Against which was released in 1998. There are some moments of brilliance here, Choke is full assault that highlights Green’s vocal prowess and his presence on the album is a powerful one. The album wasn’t received too well critically at the time with it selling less than Soulfly’s debut. There were certainly enough glimpses of the old Sepultura with an inkling of what the future could bring.

Nation was released in 2001 and was the last Sepultura album recorded for Roadrunner records. The album sold poorly, and while re visiting it for this review, I don’t know why. There are some fantastic moments here with Green really stamping his authority as a vocalist. The pummelling Revolt being a standout track. After Revolusongs, an EP of covers, (included in the box set) was released in 2002, the bands ninth studio album Roorback was their debut on SPV records. Another strong release with some strong song writing and a sound not too dissimilar to the Roots album. Iggor Cavalera plays an absolute blinder on this album (as usual) and tracks like Godless and Urge showcase a band that really are firing on all cylinders.

Their tenth album Dante XXI came out in 2006. It’s a concept album based on Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy. It was to prove the last Sepultura album featuring Igor Cavalera. He reconciled with Max and they formed Cavalera Conspiracy. The album is another well-rounded effort highlighting the fact that later Sepultura hold their own as a band. False, Dark Wood of Error and Ostia are superb. Green spits out the words with gusto while the riffs chug along like freight trains.

2009s A- Lex was the first Sepultura album without both Cavalera brothers. Jean Dolabella took over on the drum stool, thus leaving bass player Paulo Jr as the only surviving member from the original line up. A – Lex is another concept album, this time based on the book A Clockwork Orange. The personnel changes didn’t seem to have a negative effect on the band, in fact they delivered one of their strongest albums since Roots with A – Lex.

This box set is an easy way for anyone who never dipped their toes into the Sepultura pool after Max Cavalera’s departure to get acquainted with some underrated and overlooked material. These albums should be mentioned in the same breath as any of the ‘classic’ line ups work. The set is available as an 8 LP vinyl or a 5 CD collection and looks fantastic. Go and get your hands on a copy!

SEPULNATION!!

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Author: Kenny Kendrick