SEPULTURA: "Kairos"  

Derrick Green – voice

Andreas Kisser – Guitars

Jean Dollabella – Percussion and arrangements

Paulo Xisto     - Bass

www.sepultura.com

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  1. Spectrum
  2. Kairos
  3. Relentless
  4. (2001)
  5. Just One Fix (Ministry cover)
  6. Dialog
  7. Mask
  8. (1433)
  9. Seethe
10. Born Strong
11. Embrace The Storm
12. (5772)
13. No One Will Stand
14. Structure Violence (Azzes)
15. (4648)
16. Firestarter (The Prodigy cover)
17. Point Of No Return

Sepultura sounds fresher than ever.

There’s no doubt that Sepultura has been around for a long period of time. Does that bother me at all? Do they still have what it takes to sell records? Are they over the hill in the world of metal? Can they appeal to a new generation of metalers? Or are they just an old thrash band from Brazil still recovering from their old lead singer (Max Cavalera) leaving the band 12 years ago or so? These are valid questions for the band in regards to their status. Since Kairos was released, they’ve sold more CD’s in it’s first week than “A-Lex” (http://www.gryphonmetal.ch/SepulturaALex.html) had, about 2500 records vs. 1,600. Dante XXI sold 2300 records in it’s first week, for a reference point. So yes, they can still sell records and the numbers are encouraging. So, what can new fans expect from Sepultura? What can fans expect from “Kairos?” Max Cavalera is old news. He has his bands, Sepultura has moved on and in my opinion, for the better.
 
Sepultura sounds fresher than ever. I’d have to attribute most of it to Jean Dollabella. His contributions to the band go largely unnoticed. It’s through his arrangements that make Sepultura strongest since they’re Against album. The first three tracks, on the album, “Spectrum,” “Kairos,” and “Relentless” can be taken in series as it’s presented, as in, The track isn’t fast and it’s not meant to really grab the listeners attention, instead, it sets the tone of the album. “Kairos” blends blast beats with a sort of dark edge that has to be heard. It’s thrash blended with darker overtones and Derrick Greens style of growling where the listener can understand (kinda) what he is singing. “Relentless” is the fast track on the album. It’s the type of track that should start mosh pits. If the album caught on, it could start riots at shows, it’s that good of a song. The only problem I have with it, is that it gets old after 5 or 6 listens.
 
The next set of tracks, “Just One Fix,” “Dialog,” and “Mask” are pretty solid tracks as well. “Just One Fix” which is a Ministry cover, is catchy. It got stuck in my head more than once a week. It’s darker and heavier than Ministry’s version, not necessarily better, just different. “Dialog” is my favourite song on the album. It’s the type of song that should be analyzed. When one listens carefully, you can hear how dark the song really is but along with that darkness you have these powerful drum beats which makes the song that much heavier. The singing and the guitar playing are second to none, where both are done so meticulously. Derrick Green sounds like he’s telling a story when he’s singing it. I absolutely love this track; I think everyone should listen to it. “Mask” was a leftover track from “A-Lex.” It’s well made, but it’s forgettable unfortunately. I couldn’t find any real way of listening to it, I feel like it’s a filler track honestly.
 
I have to say something about, “Firestarter.” Before I bought this CD, I hadn’t heard The Prodigy version of this song, and after I heard it and compared it Sepultura, there’s no contest. Sepultura’s version is a billion times better. It’s harder, catchier and it doesn’t sound ridiculous. This is another track I recommend to download from Sepultura.
 
Overall, I really liked the album. I’m biased because it is Sepultura and all. But I thought the album was too long. I think, if they had kept it to 10 tracks, it would have been better. There are tracks I felt were a little unnecessary to have on there. Good, well made tracks, but I didn’t feel anything from them. Can Sepultura appeal to younger audiences? Remember, in 1997 or so when Max left, someone who is 21 now, would have been 7-8 years old when that happened and didn’t grow up knowing, Roots, Chaos AD, Arise, ect. Sepultura has a potential new audience that it can appeal to. I just think they need to be on the right tour to do it.
 
Bottom line, go buy the album, download it on various websites (pay for it) I think it’s worth it.
 
9/10

written  by Matthew Haumschild  Chief Editor in USA