The final chapter in a long and storied career is about to be unleashed upon the salivating Sepultura hordes, eager to hear new music but not so eager as it signals the end of one of the most groundbreaking bands in metal.
The biggest gripe most fans will have about this release is that, if it is to be their last, why not make it a full-length album rather than a four-track EP? And while it is a bit of a kick in the teeth, do not let that take away from what is a killer final bow. The EP opens in typical Sepultura fashion with “All Souls Rising”, an animal of a track with Green letting rip like a man possessed as the drums crash, the bass bangs and the guitar riffs cut like a knife for all of about twenty five seconds and then it just stops dead to allow an orchestral string section, yes you read that correctly, play to the backdrop of Nekrutman’s drums, talk about out of left field, normal service is resumed as Green comes roaring in over the top ably assisted by Kisser doing what he does best, shredding, the chorus comes around again only this time it is a mixture of thrash and the string section, a strange but highly enjoyable combination, a rip roaring way to start. Never a band shy to change things up and cause consternation amongst fans, Sepultura have taken it one step further with “Beyond The Dream”, and to be quite honest, it’s a cracker and leaves you thinking why have they not done something like this before, a power ballad! You may be thinking what in the hell are they at, but believe me this will blow your mind; Green’s clean vocals are unreal, his deep voice just resonates, while the band row in behind him, giving it all but in a subdued manner that is except for Kisser, his guitar play is in a class of its own while his solo is out of this world, the best track on the EP without a doubt as it is something completely different to anything they have done before, which is a big pity because it is brilliant.
“Sacred Books” gives a little nod to “Chaos AD” with its opening riff and drum beat but that ends the moment Green steps to the mic, his vocals are savage, Kisser doesn’t hold back either as he gets a solo in straight off the bat, what will throw most people as it did me is the jazz style piano solo that seems to be just randomly thrown in, this has that killer groove that Sepultutra have been known for and it fucking kills, why in God’s name are these guys retiring. The EP closes with the marauding “The Place”, building from a slow opening to a heavy groover with some magnificent guitar work from Kisser and drums from Nekrutman, Green’s vocals range from a soft crooning style to monstrous screams, each used perfectly in sync with the tracks tempo, the bass from Paulo Jr is brutal, rumbling just beneath the surface at all times giving it a solid base to work off, a fitting finale.
If this genuinely is Sepultura’s last hurrah, they are signing off with one hell of a statement!
The Cloud Of Unknowing arrives April 24th courtesy of Nuclear Blast.
Review: Conor
| 01 All Souls Rising | ||
| 02 Beyond the Dream | ||
| 03 Sacred Books | ||
| 04 The Place |
Sepultura are:
Andreas Kisser Guitar
Derrick Green Vocals
Paulo Jr Bass
Greyson Nekrutman Drums
