Soulfly
Conquer

THE REVIEW

It is useless to insistently ask how the new Soulfly album is because probably no further explanations are needed beyond what we've already said regarding their previous work "Dark Ages." It would take just a tiny effort to reorder one's thoughts about what Max Cavalera has produced in his recent works after deciding to leave an internationally renowned band like Sepultura. Just a few different adjustments, a few more tweaks compared to what we have come to expect from him, and here comes "Conquer," ready for real.

Certainly, the core of the discussion revolves around the figure of the Brazilian, a character who probably composes continuously, rightly considering that this sixth Soulfly album arrives a few months after the hugely successful "Inflikted" signed by Cavalera Conspiracy. This is precisely the image one needs to focus on to understand where this new work comes from.

...because Max is one of those who, every time you put him in front of a microphone and give him his beloved "Brazilian guitar," can bring down a building...[cit.]

Behind an incredibly angry goddess Kali on the cover, there are eleven tracks of thrash/hardcore metal tradition that reek of rebellion and violence, pedestals that the Brazilian uses to shout out his opinion with few words and stand on the right side against any global conspiracy. We find Max committed to pouring his soul into every one of his songs, built piece by piece, with the task of cutting, destroying, lashing, and tearing apart everything they encounter on their path. The enemies to face are always the same; they come from the world, bearing names like war, destruction, Armageddon, and paranoia. Without too many issues, our Max dissects them with his angry voice, unleashes them behind tight riffs and powerful drumming, and opens the dance with a punk mantra like "Blood Fire War Hate" until reaching a true gem like "Soulfly VI," as fluid as a Satriani song and the only real pause from thrash metal, leaving room for a much calmer and more dreamy sound.

I think the limited edition is much more satisfying than the regular one because, out of pure curiosity, I wouldn't miss out on two unmissable tracks like the cover of Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People" and "Sailing On" by Bad Brains. Overall, a very powerful and in your face album. Thankfully, there are still those who can pull it off.