Sepultura
Roots Bloody Roots

"Beneath The Remains", "Arise", "Chaos A.D.: three albums by Sepultura that I literally idolized from the moment of their release between the late eighties and the first half of the following decade. Three authentic whiplashes that equally combined Thrash and Death Metal with excellent results, even in terms of sales, for such a heavy and extreme band. For me, this marks the end of the best period of the Brazilian combo.

At the beginning of 1996, the single "Roots Bloody Roots" was released, chosen by the band to pave the way for the album "Roots" published in February; my relationship with this album has been conflicted and challenging. Too experimental, too "contaminated," too tribal.

And even the single does not deviate from my opinion oriented towards a mere pass. The track certainly does not lack respectable sonic qualities, thanks to the usual impeccable production and mixing work by Ross Robinson and Andy Wallace. Max's voice is mean and "torn" to the right extent; the guitars draw piercing patterns with a cavernous sound worthy of the best Pantera. But it completely lacks the drive, that lethal speed that has been an authoritative strong point of Sepultura throughout their previous career.

Things do not change with the poorly executed cover of "Procreation (Of the Wicked)" by the Swiss Celtic Frost; go listen to the original sung by the demon Tom G. Warrior, and there's a good chance you'll side with me.

Then suddenly, everything gets back on track with the last two songs of the single: the boys from Belo Horizonte live, somewhere around Minneapolis (Husker Du!!) during the 1994 tour promoting "Chaos A.D." And so rapidly follow the specular "Refuse/Resist" and "Territory": furious rides played with stunning malice and fury. Igor's drums are a raging river that dictates even faster timing compared to the studio versions: these were the Sepultura for me...WAR for TERRITORY...

After "Roots," Max left the band, and I personally never wanted to listen to the subsequent records of the Brazilians. I still have the memory of the concert in Sesto San Giovanni in November 1993; Paradise Lost opened, and the battle under the stage was ruthless (so many hits taken but also given)...ARISE...

Ad Maiora.