Sepultura: Kairos – new album

Legendary Brazilian/American thrashers', SEPULTURA, 12th studio album and Nuclear Blast Records debut entitled ‘Kairos’, has become available in Europe today, June 24th, 2011; American fans will have to wait until July 12th, 2011 for their copy of the album and can still pre-order the new record here (Nuclear Blast). ‘Kairos’ was recorded at Trama Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and was produced and mixed by renowned Roy Z, with mastering being handled by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering. The deluxe edition of the album includes 2 bonus tracks (‘Firestarter’ – THE PRODIGY cover, and ‘Point Of No Return’) as well as an additional “making of” DVD. The artwork was created by artist Eric Sayers: “It was an honor for me to work with SEPULTURA,” he stated. “ ‘Kairos’ is about time, the actions we take, and the positive or negative repercussions that follow. I knew the image would have wings. I also knew I would somehow need to represent time, but in a way that is timeless. Speaking with Andreas [Kisser, guitarist], he had an idea for a gel skull. I was uncertain how I would make that happen, but I did and it is unique. Actions and their repercussions are represented by the arms, transitioning from the strong healthy arm on top and the decrepit hand below,” he explained. Added Andreas Kisser: “We were very lucky [with] choosing the artist to design the cover of ‘Kairos’. We met him [Eric Sayers] backstage of a SEPULTURA concert in Los Angeles last January. He left us his card and when we checked his website, we got very impressed by his awesome work.” You’ll find two new SEPULTURA tracks, ‘Kairos’ and ‘Mask’, below the text.

SEPULTURA formed in 1984 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, when that country was beginning to emerge from a 20-year military dictatorship, and went on to become the most successful Brazilian heavy metal band in history. The group has released twelve albums so far, of which many achieved gold and platinum status in numerous countries all over the world, and has sold nearly 20 million records worldwide. “Over its history, the band grew from strength to strength, transforming itself from a primitive death metal ensemble into one of the leading creative trendsetters of the international aggressive music scene,” writes Eduardo Rivadavia (AllMusic).

Founders of the band, Max Cavalera (vocals & guitar), Igor Cavalera (drums), Paulo Jr. (bass), and Jairo T. (lead guitar) were first inspired by IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA and SLAYER (“Literally the first three records purchased by Max on a visit to the “big city” São Paulo,” – E. Rivadavia) and later by emerging death metal acts such as POSSESSED and DEATH. “And though all were only in their teens and still learning how to play their instruments, the band quickly evolved into underground contenders,” writes E. Rivadavia. After releasing a self produced split LP, ‘Bestial Devastation’, with OVERDOSE via Cogumelo Records in 1985, out came SEPULTURA's debut full-length, ‘Morbid Visions’ a year later, which earned the band some media attention. After moving to “the big city” and replacing guitarist Jairo T. with Andreas Kisser, the group released much improved, production and musicianship-wise, ‘Schizophrenia’ in 1987. The record gained enough publicity across Europe and America for Roadrunner Records to pay attention and release it worldwide and to offer the band a multi-album contract. 1989's ‘Beneath The Remains’ brought SEPULTURA into the international extreme metal arena; co-produced by Scott Burns, the album is considered to be a classic in the thrash & death metal genre. The band met again with producer Scott Burns for the highly acclaimed 1991's album ‘Arise’: “And though it ultimately lacked the consistency of its predecessor and added little innovation to the band's sound, ‘Arise’ has aged surprisingly well, proving itself a worthy progression and surprisingly well-rounded in its own right,” – E. Rivadavia. The album went on to achieve platinum status worldwide. “The band's thick, chunky guitars, busy percussion, and hoarsely shouted vocals may be rooted in death metal, but it was often hard to call SEPULTURA a true death metal band, even if they flirted heavily with the style by way of SLAYER; ‘Chaos A.D.’ is rooted just as much in hardcore punk in its lean, stripped-down assault,” commented the band's 1993 effort AllMusic's Steve Huey (Roadrunner / Epic Records). The band's departure from death and thrash metal continued with their sixth album 1996's ‘Roots’: “The introduction of native Brazilian percussion and musical styles into their trademark down-tuned guitars and increasingly sociopolitical themes resulted in a highly unique record which could be loosely described as heavy metal world music,” – E. Rivadavia. ‘Roots’ was the last record to feature founding member Max Cavalera who “left the band amid much bad blood and acrimony”. SEPULTURA chose American vocalist Derrick Green as his replacement and released seventh studio album ‘Against’ in 1998: “Andreas Kisser, Paulo Jr. and Igor Cavalera prove they’re no slouches themselves. But the problem with ‘Against’ is that it seems to lack a clear vision or direction; the band seems unsure of whether to return to the controlled, hard-hitting brevity of ‘Chaos A.D.’ or the epic, experimental sprawl of ‘Roots’,” - Steve Huey. Despite better reviews, 2001's ‘Nation’ sold poorly - it would be their last studio album for Roadrunner Records. ‘Roorback’ came out in 2003 via SPV / Steamhammer Records: “[Vocalist Derrick] Green is passionate and focused throughout the album - he has no problem going that extra mile - and the writing is consistently strong,” - Alex Henderson, AllMusic. Green looked to Dante's “The Divine Comedy” for inspiration for SEPULTURA's 2006 album ‘Dante XXI’, and has based his words on Burghess' “A Clockwork Orange” for eleventh full-length entitled ‘A-Lex’. The 2009 album is the first to feature new drummer Jean Dolabella (Igor Cavalera left in 2006), leaving bassist Paulo Jr. as the sole remaining founding member. “For all its intellect,” commented Alex Henderson, “this release doesn’t sacrifice anything when it comes to intensity; this is a vicious, loud sledgehammer of an album, and the kids in the mosh pit will have no problem connecting with alternative metal scorchers like ‘Filthy Rot’, ‘The Treatment’, ‘Paradox’, and ‘Forceful Behavior’ on a gut level. “The Clockwork Orange” angle is intriguing … but for metalheads, the bottom line is that SEPULTURA have no problem bringing the noise – and Green's angry lead vocals are an important part of ‘A-Lex’s intensity.”

SEPULTURA: Kairos – courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records

SEPULTURA: Mask – courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records