Ok, let me take a look at the history here.. what haven’t we done in a while? We recently did electronic, retro stuff, soft guitar, and niche indie. But for all the mentioned, it seems we haven’t really gotten much of that heavy cathartic rock’n’roll energy? So let’s roll out the map, choose our favorite dart, put on a blindfold, spin around three times, and chuck – that dart into the unknown.
*thwump* A-ha! (not the band) we landed on … drum-roll, please … in fact, rolling double-kick drum, please … we landed in BRAZIL! Alright, show of hands please – who’s got an idea? Yes, Billy.
— “Santana?”
No, Billy. No, Santana are American. Also, they are not particularly heavy in their musical approach. Please take a seat. We are, talking about–
— “Manu Chao.”
Billy. No. Manu Chao, first of all, are French, an–
— “La Renga!”
By Grabthar’s Hammer, Billy – zip it! I am this close to committing a crime here, and I’ve worked hard to get my this anger management token.
— …
Alright, phew. We are talking about Sepultura today, Billy. Brazilian heavy metal legends, Sepultura. Founded in the mid-80s, in Belo Horizonte by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, the band takes its name from the Portuguese word for Grave. Born to a model and an affluent Italian diplomat, the family was cast onto the verge of poverty, when the father succumbed to a fatal heart attack.
As one would expect, young Max and Igor were heavily impacted by their father’s passing, and as fate would have it, Max happened to hear Black Sabbath’s album, Vol. 4 (1972) that day, leaving a lasting imprint.
The brothers’ listening habits had always been in the realm of metal and hardcore bands, but it was British band Venom that set them on their path into black and death metal. Through their first couple of albums, Sepultura developed their sound, arriving at a more experimental sound with the seminal album, Arise (1991).
Arise took the thrash metal sound of their previous record and pushed it further, incorporating more complex arrangements, making it heavier, faster, and more aggressive in sound. Multiple stand-out songs showcased their prowess and cemented the band as a key staple of the genre on a global scale.
Now, this might not per se be everyone’s taste, but I do think it’s good if you want to get in some forceful (and potentially mindless) catharsis and drive. A good double-kick drum will do that to ya.
Stay metal out there, friends!
Coryphe 