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Rating: "Prophecy" is a fundamental chapter in the Soulfly saga, not only because of the extremely positive nature of the work carried out by Max Cavalera's Tribe, but also from a symbolic point of view. In fact, the fourth album by the former Sepultura leader's band is the first solid cornerstone of a trio of albums recorded with a stable line-up, to which "Omen" will soon be added, to the delight of all of Max's faithful, set to be released in May (a free track is already available on the Roadrunner website, and it is the beautiful "Rise of the Fallen" featuring the prestigious collaboration of Greg Puciato directly from The Dillinger Escape Plan).
The line-up factor is relatively important, because, although 90% of the work is obviously from the brain of our favorite Brazilian, it's important to remember that the first three Soulfly albums (the self-titled, "Primitive," and "3") all experienced various line-up changes. This confusing situation was wanted by Max himself to highlight the Tribal and versatile character of his creation. But ultimately, having more clarity and certainty in a war machine like Soulfly is surely beneficial, and the results are evident in the successes of "Prophecy," "Dark Ages," and "Conquer."
Let's then name these disciples of the Prophet: Marc Rizzo, a prodigious guitar maniac (formerly of Ill Nino), the fantastic hitter Joe Nunez (already a drummer on "Primitive"), and the likeable Bobby Burns on bass (also a member of rap metallers Primer 55). But the tribal nature of Soulfly doesn't wane with the inclusion of members who will become permanent in the years to come. Once again, a large array of artists and musicians fills the "Prophecy" studio, notably including Dave Ellefson (formerly with Dave Mustaine's Megadeth), who plays bass on almost half the album and also appears in the title track video instead of Bobby.
Returning to "Prophecy," as usual, the album proves to be another winning example of Massimiliano Antonio Cavalera's creativity and musical boldness, and his constant desire for exploration and relentless artistic pursuit. Thus, we transition from songs in typical Soulfly style like the opener "Prophecy," a very solid and driving anthemic track that has obviously become a classic in the band's setlists, the subsequent "Living Sacrifice" is a highly intense thrashcore embelished with a dub-ambient bridge, the rebellious "Born Again Anarchist" and the edgy "Mars," always teetering between thrash violence reminiscent of Sepultura and decelerations climaxing in their respective final parts dedicated to percussion solos, classical guitars, and tribal inserts, to tracks closely evoking the feel of "Chaos A.D." and its intense groove metal imbued with hardcore influences, such as in the powerful "Execution Style," the brutal "Defeat U" (written and sung with Danny Marianino), and the chaotic and lightning-fast "Porrada" (based wholly on hardcore riffing and rhythmic work derived from Slayer, but opened with an enjoyable flamenco intro and closed by a brief pseudo-Brazilian samba).
These are surely the most impactful and guaranteed pieces of the Soulfly-sound; the remaining tracks, on the other hand, represent the more experimental and reflective side of the album: the wonderful "I Believe" is a sulfurous and exciting piece, that little gem of reggae-metal crossover in "Moses" (written with the Serbian reggae-hardcore group Eyesburn, which I will soon review) is one of the most successful tracks in Soulfly's entire career. Of course, the dreamy instrumental (which this time receives heavy doses of flamenco, thanks to new member Rizzo) "Soulfly IV" couldn't be missing. Beautiful yet also very daring is "Wings," a dub-soul track sung solely by the warm and touching voice of Asha Rabouin (who already appeared on "Primitive" for the track "Flyhigh" and on "3" for the moving "Tree Of Pain"). The last two minutes give space to a band complete with drums, cymbals, and trombones, giving the track further Latin flavor. The choice to cover "In the Meantime" by the unforgettable Helmet, which turns out to be a very solid wall of sound perfect for the Soulfly attitude, is also spot-on.
The special edition also includes 6 bonus tracks recorded live in Sweden in 2001, and they are "Back to the Primitive," "No Hope = No Fear," "Spit," the medley from the beginning of "Jumpdafuckup" and "Bring It," "The Song Remains Insane," and the unmissable "Roots Bloody Roots."
"Prophecy" is an album that captures, that evokes apocalyptic scenarios but also offers plenty of mystical and alternative relaxation. It can certainly be a good start for those first approaching the band in question, as it brilliantly combines all the elements and characteristics of Soulfly, a must-have.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Prophecy (03:35)
I see the Red Sea part in front of me
I see the desert clouds bleed above me
I'm with the prophets on the final destiny
We'll fight the heathens and the ghost enemy
This is the prophecy
This is the prophecy
I see the money beggars on the last temptation
We're marching now through the devastation
I'm with the prophets on a misson of salvation
Cities falling, nations falling nations
This is the prophecy
This is the prophecy
I see the new millennium tribal warfare
I see them blind sheep going nowhere
The new exodus, just like they say
I see the crown of thorns, you know i was there
This is the prophecy
This is the prophecy
I see the times in this armaggideon
I see the flag of the conquering lion
I must reach the mountains of Zion
I'm with the prophets and the prophecy goes on
This is the prophecy
This is the prophecy
New millennium tribal war
New millennium tribal war
New millennium tribal war
New millennium tribal war
03 Execution Style (02:18)
The execution of the world is set
The revolution you can't take it back
This frustration equals inspiration
The execution of your world is set
Ready Aim Fire
Ready Aim Fire
Ready Aim Fire
Ready Aim Fire
The execution of the world is set
To fight back all you hypocrites
This frustration is my inspiration
The execution of your life is set
Ready Aim Fire
Ready Aim Fire
Ready Aim Fire
Ready Aim Fire
The execution of the world is set
Downstroy your envy with my bloody hands
This frustration is my inspiration
The execution of your world is set
04 Defeat U (02:10)
So you say that doesn't interfere
And you don't care what happens here
But now I know what's your inner fear
'Cause what we had you were never near
My scars tell the story of destiny's deceit
I remain undisputed and blind to its defeat
It won't - Won't break me
It won't - Defeat me
We will - Will break you
We will - Defeat U
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger they say
I live like that in every way
Surviving on the razor's edge
Integrity until I lay to rest
It's me who's out for blood, soon all the floodgates open
Integrity's my only friend, prepared to fight its omens
It won't - Won't break me
It won't - Defeat me
We will - Will break you
We will - Defeat U
Fire spreads killing fear
Muthafucker your end is near
Can't bring me down
In a sea of shit you drown
05 Mars (05:25)
The new millennium is here
The smell of napalm and fear
All this confusion and mass hysteria
Welcome all to the new frontier
This fucking hate gets bigger and bigger
Consume ourselves in nuclear fear
And let me tell you that's the real enemy
How can you kill what you cannot see
I am Mars the God of War
You bow to me like you did before
I am Mars the God of War
You bow to me like you did before
Gas masks and AK-47's
Now you won't see the gates of heaven
Blood fire destroying weather
To blow you away, blow you away forever
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Chemical warfare and the bloodlust
Sign of Mars in a time to come
Mankind has finally done
I am Mars the God of War
You bow to me like you did before
I am Mars the God of War
You bow to me like you did before
06 I Believe (05:53)
I believe
It must be
I believe
Infinity
I believe
It must be
I believe
Immortality
Every man has to find his own destiny
Just follow your heart and just let it be
I believe in God immortality
I believe
It must be
I believe
Infinity
I believe
It must be
I believe
Immortality
Every man needs to find his own destiny
I believe in God through infinity
Every man needs to find his own destiny
I believe in God beyond mortality
Every man needs to find his own destiny
I believe in God immortality
You can't kill faith
You can't kill God
07 Moses (07:39)
What is wrong with humans from beginning of creation
Brutal dem a never gonna change no I
Father give dem life dat dem turn to sufferation
Politics dem worship in dem rage
They will never make to rule my life
No matter what takes I'm breaking their breaks
With Jah love humanity survive
No matter what takes I'm breaking their breaks
Moses, Moses where are u?
Please! Show up tell the children what to do
Father of creation
Give me inspiration
Father of creation
Give me inspiration
(is armmaggideon time)
What is wrong with humans from beginning of creation
Brutal dem a never gonna change no I
Father give dem life dat dem turn to sufferation
Politics dem worship in dem rage
They will never make to rule my life Ready Aim Fire
The
No matter what takes I'm breaking their breaks
With God love humanity survive
No matter what takes I'm breaking their breaks
Moses, Moses where are u?
Please! Show up tell the children what to do
Father of creation
Give me inspiration
Father of creation
Through da sufferation
In this world that seems so lost
Are we warriors, are we not?
So many battles I have fought
So many more, I'm a soldier of God
Men against men I don't understand
Hate breeds hate in this rat race
We against you, watching you fall
Follow me know, blood of my blood
In this world that seems so lost
Are we warriors, are we not?
So many battles I have fought
So many more, I'm a soldier of God
Tribal war
Jungle law
Follow me now
Blood of my blood
Moses, Moses where are u?
Please! Show up tell the children what to do
09 Porrada (04:07)
Um, dois, treis, quatro
Chegou
E' de fuder
E' e' du caralho
Vai se fuder filha da puta
Vai se fuder cuzao
Vai se fuder filha da puta
Vai se fuder cuzao
Porrada Porrada Porrada Porrada
Entao
Quale' qui e'
Entao
Quale' qui e'
Se ficar o bicho pega
Se corer o bicho come
Se ficar o bicho pega
Se corer o bicho come
Porrada Porrada Porrada Porrada
Um, dois, treis, quatro
Porrada na favela
Porrada na baixada
Porrada na favela
Porrada na baixada
O ze' mane' qual' qui e'
Tu e' malaca tu e' mane'
O ze' mane' qual' qui e'
Tu e' malandro tu e' mane'
Porrada Porrada Porrada Porrada
10 In the Meantime (04:45)
Earth tone suits you
So give it a smile
If i could hold your feet down
Get to know for awhile
To make due is a promise
Hard to keep without help
Never taught to look in
I'm too concerned with my health
Help me spread right, ash is
Cow fertilized
Come down in a feed town
Strength to minimize
Hold it
In the meantime
12 Wings (06:02)
Wings all over us
Watching us from above
Protecting us from this world
Protecting us with your sword
Wings all over us
Calming us when we're sore
Guiding us when we're lost
Even against all odds
Wings all over us
Healing the bleeding pain
Making us seize the day
Helping us find a way
Wings all over us
Everyday I feel your touch
Never letting go
I can feel your soul
Wings all over us
When I die you come and lift me up
Carry me to my home
To meet the king on his throne
Wings all over us
Keep our heads up high
Keeping our spirit alive
Open your arms and rise
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Other reviews
By Metal Man
"Max Cavalera further demonstrates his ability to ‘do band alone,’ lending truth to suspicions about Sepultura’s soul being his spirit."
"’Moses,’ a reggae-metal hyper-melodic piece… undoubtedly one of the peaks of the record!"
