Following on from ‘Bestial Devastation’, the trio of Max Cavalera (vocals, rhythm guitar), Jairo Guedz (lead guitar, bass), and Igor Cavalera (drums, percussion) went back to the studio to record the debut Sepultura album. At the time the guys were still struggling with English, forgot to tune their guitars, and the production was somewhat ropey. As with ‘Bestial Devastation’, the re-recording has found Max and Igor working with Daniel Gonzalez (lead guitar) and Igor Amadeus Cavalera (bass) and they have again added an additional new song based on riffs from the time. It was the original release of this album which first gained Sepultura wider attention, with the song “Troops Of Doom” being picked up by many. Yet again the cover has been amended, here a total redrawing as opposed to just making some changes, with a beefed-up demon attacking the crosses we had seen on a distant hill on the EP.

Nine songs, 37 minutes in length, this is what set the platform for what the band was to become, with Jairo leaving not long afterwards to be replaced by Andreas Kisser who is of course still there to this day. The band were heavily influenced by Venom, and this comes clearly through, quite different to the groove metal the band became more well known for in the Nineties. Many metalheads will have the original release, but probably don’t play it a great deal (I normally bypass this and go straight to ‘Beneath The Remains’ or ‘Awake’), yet hearing the songs with the right production and a band full of confidence is dramatically different. Highly recommended to anyone interested in hearing where Sepultura started but turn to these and not the originals as these are way more superior. I guess the only question now is whether they will continue with ‘Schizophrenia’, or stop now? Also, what does this mean for Cavalera Conspiracy? Is this a new name, a new direction? I guess we will wait and see.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.cavaleraconspiracy.net/
https://www.nuclearblast.com/