Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Seems I've miscalculated..., September 24, 1999
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!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sepultura return as the kings of metal!!!!, October 8, 1998
By A Customer
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!!!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Join the Sepul-Tribe on the new crusade, August 18, 2000
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.
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