Soulfly
3

THE REVIEW

In the review of "Dark Ages," I described "3" as a mediocre album. I only told part of the truth because, after listening to the album multiple times, it grew on me more than during the first listen. This happened because I simultaneously listened to "Chaos A.D." by Sepultura (which I had never heard before), and then I understood Max Cavalera's intention with this third album. It was a bit overlooked and criticized—a return to a more thrashy style sound. In essence, a reconnection to what was done with Sepultura. However, one thing is the intention, and another is the result, which is not at all similar to the miracles achieved on the previous "Soulfly" and "Primitive" albums or the pre-"Roots" Sepultura. Here, the sound indeed leans more towards thrash metal waves, but at the same time, there's a softening of the songs and a melodization of Max's voice, which has always been one of the angriest in metal. For this reason, this third chapter may not appeal to a Soulfly fan.

Concurrently, however, the tribal element, which is a symbol of recognition for Soulfly, is ultra-present, unlike the nu-metal influences that characterized the first and especially the second album. Nevertheless, there are good songs like the opener "Downstroy," "Enterfaith," the usual instrumental and spiritual "Soulfly" (that is, "Soulfly III"), "Tree of Pain," despite having a bizarre structure. It starts very melodically with a woman's voice, and then Max's voice enters with a hardcore/crossover rhythm, concluding once again with that woman (I don't know who she is, but she has a beautiful voice) and the tribal/melodic sound. "One Nation" resurrects the early Soulfly while "Four Elements" has a sound very close to the recent "Dark Ages."

I really don't know how to conclude because for someone who has never heard Soulfly, the album might seem interesting, but for a fan like me, there's disappointment at the first listen. Only after digesting it (and for this, one needs to refrain from listening to the previous albums for a while) can it prove to be a sufficient work.