Year: 2024 
Total Time: 43:53 
Label: Nuclear Blast 

In our beloved music world there is a popular trend in which several bands are trying to re-record some of their older albums. Of course, this project is not always successful… who can forget the crime that EXODUS did with the re-recording of “Bonded By Blood” or SODOM with “In the Sign of Evil”. Also, a most recent fail was by the cult Colombian Death Metallers MASACRE with the re-recording of the iconic album “Reqviem” in which the original atmosphere was completely vanished. During the last years, the well-known CAVALERA bros have been moving to a similar direction. After they finished touring in which they presented live the great SEPULTURA albums “Arise”, “Beneath the Remains” and “Roots”, then they tried to identify new ways in order to make profit from the musical heritage of SEPULTURA.

So, using as an excuse the mediocre production of SEPULTURA’s first releases, they’ve re-recorded and released a year ago the records “Bestial Devastation” and “Morbid Visions”. Personally this re-recordings didn’t sounds to my ears as something special. One year after those releases, the brothers are returning with another re-recording. This one concerns SEPULTURA’s second full length entitled “Schizophrenia”.  The album was originally released in 1987 and is one of the most influential albums for the Thrash/Death/Black Metal scene. Musically the album is awesome, including some of the best songs that Brazilians have ever written. Some of them are “From the Past Comes the Storms”, “Escape to the Void” and “R.I.P. (Rest in Pain)”.

The production may not have been the best but the atmosphere of the album is unique and has that old school horror feeling that was floated from the extreme releases coming out from Brazil in the 80s. It is also a very important release for the band, as in that album they shaped their landmark sound, a sound that later sent the Brazilians at the top of the Thrash Metal scene. We need to mention that in 1987 Andreas Kisser replaced Jairo on guitar, a fact that influenced the writing of the songs as Andreas brought melodies in SEPULTURA’s music.

So, what can Cavalera Bros offer with that particular re-recording? Listening to it, I can notice that the band tried to retain the old school atmosphere of the original version. This was achieved by trying to approach Max’s guitars and vocals in a similar approach that was given in 1987, not having a complete modern production. Also, this new production highlights the tremendous work from Igor on drums, a work that could not reach the surface due to the bad production. The new release also includesa bonus-new song entitled “Nightmares of Delirium”, which fits perfectly into “Schizophrenia’s” sound giving the impression that it was composed in 1987.

As a conclusion, I can mention that the new version of “Schizophrenia”, could be described as very successful. The brothers managed to keep this nostalgic character and the old school atmosphere, improving the overall sound of the album, without sounding completely modernized. Their project can be considered successful and I believe it’s time for them to write new material. The new song “Nightmares of Delirium” attributes their ability to still compose quality Thrash Metal arrangements. I also believe that with “Schizophrenia” this “re-recordings project” is ended and they won’t dare to touch “Arise” and “Beneath the Remains” album. There is no need for that… So, until we listen to Cavalera brothers next musical step,  we will continue to look back to the old good days of SEPULTURA, hoping for a future reunion of the classic line-up.

Rating: N/A
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: CAVALERA – Official Page