Rocking around the world! Staring a new segment off with a country that really knows how to get metal: Brazil! Since the 1980’s Brazil has been home to countless heavy metal band that aren’t just excellent, but also majorly influential to thrash, black, power, extreme and death metal around the world. Groups like Sarcofago, Vulcano and Mutilator are big influences in the black metal community. Viper is an exceptional power metal band. MX just brings pure intensity and heavyness. Angra is one of the best, but they didn’t come along until a little later (early 90’s). But no one even touches or comes close to the unexpected, international powerhouse success of Sepultura. Not only are they one of the heaviest and most influential bands in modern heavy metal, they are one of the best metal bands of all time.
Starting out in the early-mid 80’s with their brethren MX, Sepultura were a typical Brazilian thrash/death metal band. Their first album ‘Morbid Visions’ is really just another thrash/black metal album. But that wouldn’t last long. By the release of 1989’s ‘Beneath the Remains’, Sepultura had evolved into a world class thrash band. The album gained the band international recognition as well as provided some concert staples for years to come. But nothing could prepare them or the world for the sheer quality and exceptional ‘Arise’. In fact, when the album was released it was majorly understocked in the international market. But the band had blown up and ‘Arise’ was shipping platinum in many European countries as well as the United States. And it didn’t stop there.
I love bands that evolve. And Sepultura are a prime example of how a band can evolved and still retain their identity. Not just that but create a unique identity that no other band can claim. What they did with their next two albums is stunning. They slowed down the tempos to an earthshaking groove and made an artistic move that was so unique that it can only be Sepultura. And that was the addition of tribal Brazilian percussion instruments. And it’s beautiful. It works so seamlessly that you really realize how metal Brazilian tribal drums are. Or really any tribal percussive action. But it’s not just that element that makes Sepultura a great band. The final element is that they simply write exceptional songs. The entertainment industry is very competitive and yes there are many bands that deserve way more than what they have. But the first thing a band needs to succeed is excellent songs. And Sepultura delivers on that in spades. Yes, it’s some the most brutal metal you’ll hear. But at the same time, it’s also some of the most catchy metal out there. Riff after riff of excellence. That’s really not something that any of their Brazilian peers did. Don’t get me wrong, MX is a good band. Angra is very good. Plus their name is hilarious. And Viper can keep up with some of the power metal greats. But they aren’t incredible enough to warrant major major international stardom. And frankly, if I’m being honest, I’m not huge into black metal so bands like Mutilator and Sarcofago just aren’t on my radar as much.
Either way all those bands came out of the same mental space. And they let their feelings be heard. And they influenced countless bands in the 90’s and onward. Brazil has given a huge contribution to the metal world. Their influence cannot be denied. Plus when metal bands of all types go down there they always play sold out soccer stadiums. Whereas in L.A. their playing the El Ray or the Wiltern. That shows how much the country cares about the music. It’s embedded into their culture. Much like how it was embedded into the founding fathers from England. Political turmoil, fascism and hopelessness lead to the feeling the heavy metal expresses. And now, we need it here in the United States. I’ve been listening to a ton of Sepultura lately. Why? Because it’s perfect anti-Trump/anti-Nazi music. That’s why it’s been around for so long and will continue to be as long as there are leaders such as the POS POTUS.
Viper covers the more classical power metal sound. Similar to Dio and Helloween. Lots of folk influence, operatic vocals and of course, demons and dragons and things of that nature. Unfortunately, the power metal sound would go the wayside as bands like Sepultura and MX became more prominent in the 90’s.
MX is band that is similar to the original sound of Sepultura. Except they didn’t evolve as much. And they didn’t have the international stardom that Sepultura enjoyed. They stayed in their speed/thrash/death metal thing. Although they did do it that better than most bands at the time. 2014 version of ‘Mental Slavery’ is here. The original recordings are very very muddy. And not the easiest thing to find I might add.
No one comes close to Sepultura. I’ve placed a few songs below to show their evolution. First is ‘Dead Embryonic Cells’. It shows how the band simply can write superior thrash music. As good as any bay area band. Better than most of them in fact. Cut times, tempo changes, breakdowns and a multitude of surprising and catch riffs. That’s an element that makes Sepultura amazing. The next song is ‘Nomad’. It shows the evolution of how the band slowed the tempos down, but also became a heavier band. It’s also a great anti-fascist piece that rails against dictators. Lastly is the track ‘Attitude’ from the incredible landmark album ‘Roots’. It shows how the album pays homage to the origins of Brazil. The introduction is hair raising. And I’ve heard it was magic when the original line-up was together.
Fucking brilliant right here. It doesn’t get much more unique.
