Customer Reviews

Against

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Well, after spending the last two days studying this album closely, I just want to say I think the band deserves more credit than I initially gave them. So it doesn't sound like old Sepultura. Why should it? Without their mighty leader, without Max, of course they've had to change. The Roots/Chaos A.D. direction continues with Max in Soulfly, but Sepultura actually hasn't done a bad job here. The album is more simple than previous Sepultura releases, as far as its lack of frenetic guitar rhythms, pace changes, and solos is concerned. But the guys have compensated for that with more experimental ideas presented in a wide variety of textures: while there are some more subtle, relaxed instrumentals focusing on ethnic Brazilian and Japanese music such as "Tribus,Kamaitachi" and "T3RCERMILENNIUM," there are plenty of punk-based and groove-oriented songs, with a handful of thrash tunes featuring Jason Newsted and old friend Joao Gordo thrown in. Overall, this album doesn't have the intensity Sepultura flaunted with Max. But make no mistake, this is still metal. As for Derrick, I think it's amazing a guy from Ohio was brought into the world's most famous (formerly) Brazilian band. Guess they're 1/4 American now, huh? I bet he is honored and is trying very hard to earn his place in such a demanding role. Give him a chance. I think the lyrics he's contributed have even influenced the songwriting to create an American feel for some of the songs. He clearly has a strong set of lungs and can sing just fine for this kind of music. Please don't jump on him. If he's who the band wanted, don't you think they know what they were looking for in a vocalist? After all, it was THEIR decision, whether you like it or not. In sum, this is obviously not a technical speed fest like Arise or a slow-crunch/power chord work like Roots or Chaos A.D. But like I said, it doesn't need to be. "Against" marks a new era for Sepultura, apparently one with wide horizons and plenty of time and space for creative heavy metal, and the production is solid. If you don't like the new style, that's cool. But I'm finally getting what they've done here, and you know what? I dig it!

Strength in the face of adversity is certainly what Sepultura has shown by bouncing back from tragedy, and releasing one of their best albums. The loss of singer/guitarist/founder Max Cavalera was devastating and most fans thought the band would not be able to continue. However, Sepultura followed their hearts and moved on finding the perfect replacement for Max with Derrick Green. The music that comes forth in the album Against blows away their last album Roots, and almost reaches the same heights they acheived with their masterpiece Chaos A.D. The downtuned guitars are gone in favor of a more traditional sound, so is the muddy production of Ross Robinson in favor of a more clean, but extremely heavy sound. The album kicks off with the fast-paced title track which asserts the return of these metal giants. "Rumors" is one of the most powerful tracks of the album addressing the war of words between the remaining members of Sepultura and the departed Max Cavalera. "Common Bonds" is another gem boasting immense drumming from Igor, and blistering guitar work by Andreas. The band heads in a more hardcore direction with their new muisc, "Floaters In Mud" and "Drowned Out" are two prime examples. Gordo of Ratos De Porao lends his vocal talents to "Reza," a modern companion to "Biotech Is Godzilla." Metallica's Jason Newsted collaborates with Sepultura spawning "Hatred Aside," something which can only be described as a Motorhead song on steroids. Sepultura's tradition of incredible instumentals continues with the drum driven "Tribus," the fuzzy distortion of "F.O.E.," and the ominous apocalyptic "T3rcermillennium." The cultural inspiration of this album is drawn from Japan where Sepultura teamed with the percussion group Kodo for the mesmerizing "Kamaitachi." Against is the beginning of a new Sepultura, one that recognizes, and is proud of the past, but poised to move on into new territory as the kings of metal!!!

Against all odds the thrash, turned death, turned progressive international phonemes return with their most experimental and ambitious effort to date. Brazil's metal gods, Sepultura, intend on initiating an entirely new generation of fans into the immortal Sepul-Tribe with this definitive collection of angst. Building upon the groundwork they began to lay with the tribal offerings from the Roots/ Chaos A.D. era efforts while still maintaining the onslaught of the Cogulemo Records days, the quartet encompass what was their past, while defining their present and anticipating their future on their 8th full effort in almost 15 years. The recent addition of Derrick Green on vocals (replacing the departed Max Cavalera, Soulfly) contributes to the bands evolving dynamics, allowing for the band to experiment with near-clean vocal executions, traditional thrash and death growls, hardcore bantering and even whispers and tribal calls. The inclusion of an even wider array of world influences, beyond those of their homeland in South America, sees Sepultura embracing the full musical community around them while building on the thrash/ death metal groundwork that defined an era. The raw bite of the writing has matured and become more refined while the gritty emotional drawl is still the backbone of the groups sound. Always emotional, Sepultura expand the drive to incorporate, now more than ever, that ideal while embracing the full palette of colours available to them atmospherically, instrumentally and sonically with a progressive harmonic and percussive approach thier a new direction, or rather interpretation, in metal. Continuing their political and social stance and incorporating personal issues into the lyrical content, Sepultura challenge the listener beyond the realm of music to face issues they might avoid and overlook in their own lives. Sepultura continue to strive for one-ness of community and the equality of beings throughout Against.

Rebel! Against pop-metal music... Against the trends of culture and government... Against your own personal disbeliefes and internal issues... And join the Sepul-Tribe in a revolution to free the hearts, souls and minds of the (metal deprived) world.

This album is probably the most disapointing album I have ever gotten. Sepultura have consistently put out great albums like Chaos AD (their best) until this one. The new leader singer stinks compared to Max. Its as if these songs were written in two minutes and slapped together. The lyrics are extremely lame even for most metal group's standards, and the music is totally uninspired. Let's check out some of the new lyrics. "See your brain/Watch it drain/See your greed/Watch it breed" said over and over as the chorus. Well at least it rhymes. I must hand it to Sepultura, those are some extremely creative and thoughtful lyrics. Yeah, right!!! Or what about "Cannot divide (X3) No". Pure genius. HA HA. I wonder if they knew this album was bad, but figured they'd make a few bucks anyway just because they have the Sepultura logo. Usually even if I buy an album of a group just because its a certain group, I can at least find a few songs I remotely like. There is not even one good song on this album. Sepultura should rename themselves something different because they are not worthy of carrying the Sepultura logo without Max.

Sepultura's first album with Derrick Green on vocals is actually a pretty good and sufficient follow-up to 1996's "Roots." It's plenty creative, because tracks like "Tribus" and "T3rcermillennium" are instrumentals which explore the band's Brazilian roots (with foreign instruments like rattles, whistles, and tribal drums). Plus, "Kamaitachi" is an Asian flavored track with Japanese percussion. But, since this record incorporated some groove metal and hardcore punk influence, there are still plenty of catchy, heavy, groovy guitar riffs, here (especially on songs like the title track, "Choke," and "Drowned Out"). "Floaters In Mud," which features some great drumming by Igor, and "Hatred Aside" (a song with Jason Newsted on guitar and vocals) are two other standout tracks. Derrick's vocals may be somewhat one-dimensional, and no one can replace Max, but Derrick's yelling is still quite powerful. The bottom line is "Against" won't go down in the history books as being a classic, rip-roaring, thrash-metal masterpiece, but if you give this album a shot, you'll realize it isn't half bad. Recommended for the hardcore Sepultura fan.

I believe that this album is amongst the best sepultura I have heard and I am a fan from way back when Beneath the Remains was released. When the band first came with against, all the critics talked about was that Derrick was black and that Max was better. WHO CARES. It is all about the music. If you like Max like I do, go and buy Soulfly and enjoy him in that band, that is why he made that band. If you like Sepultura, like I do, Buy this album. It has so much intensity and diversity. Derrick gives more vocal stlye to the band. I like both Soulfly and Sepultura and I think that is how you should all be whether you be a max fan or a seps fan. I am proud to say that i am both. KEEP BOTH OF THE TRIBES ALIVE

This is a great Cd with Sepultura blending many of their styles together. This album is the best work sepultura has put out. Derrick fits right in doing an amazing job. Don't believe me check out "Against", "Rumors" and "Old Earth". By the way some of the bad reviews are from fans that are upset about Max leaving and are not listenng to the music.

I dont understand all the criticism ive seen about this album.It has a lot catchy,groovy and heavy songs on it.I really like the way that sepultura was able to get a raw aggressive sound and also have an ethnic sound as well.It really gives them a unique edge.Beneath the remains,arise and schzophrenia were great albums but a band can only go in one direction for so long without becoming stale and phoney.This album has a great natural and heavy sound to it.I seen sepultura live many times and seen them on tour for this album at redrocks in colorado and they were spectacular.If you want an album with a good heavy groovy sound to it buy this against.

This Cd says Sepulatura on the cover, but it NOT Sepulatura! Max is gone on this one, but it is not the same, the guy who does the singing needs to learn to play the lead guitar and vocals, I play better!

This is Sepultura's first album after the departure of Max Cavalera, and in almost every way, it's better than anything they have done before (or since for that matter). Now, I'd like to say that I am a fan of early Sepultura as well, but this album surpasses anything they had attempted prior. Maybe it's because Andreas (guitar) wasn't limited by Max's riff based mind, or maybe it's because they had so long to perfect this album while searching for the new vocalist? Regardless, this album ranks conceptually with some of the most artsy and different music of the last 30 years (anything from Floyd to NIN). The album throws tribal, metal, japanese, middle eastern, and techno elements together effortlessly, while maintaining a clear cut cohesive vision. It literally pains me that this album was so under promoted! CHECK IT OUT!! You won't regret it!