Year: 2020
Total Time: 51:14
Label: Nuclear Blast
SEPULTURA will always be SEPULTURA, either we met them and glorified them in the decades of ‘80s and ‘90s or the way we saw their evolution in the 21st century. Max Cavalera has departed from the group twenty four years ago while his brother Igor, did it ten years after. Their relationship with their ex band mates is nonexistent so we the supporters-listeners we must go on as Andreas Kisser and Paulo Jr. did. After thirty six years of career they released their fifteenth full length record “Quarda”.
“Quarda” according to singer and lyricist Derrick Green has to do with numerology and especially number four and the effect it has on our daily life through a religious, political and social prism. The lyrics written by Derrick Green fit together with music. The record begins with a powerful, intense Thrash Metal anthem “Isolation” which give us a huge blast followed by same tempo songs “Means To An End” and “Last Time”, just before a little calm and hear what SEPULTURA added in their music from “Roots” and so on. The groove and folk Brazilian tribal elements which made SEPULTURA the global ambassadors of Brazilian extreme metal. In “Quadra” we can understand why Andreas Kisser is considered as one of the most gifted guitarists. With his classical background he does not hesitate to add acoustic intros and interludium reminding us the “Arise” era and he seems to be the connective link of the past, present and maybe future sound of SEPULTURA, since the Cavalera Brothers with their latest music efforts appear to distance themselves from the trademark sound once they served. A deserving comrade to this effort is their ( not so) latest addition behind the drum kit, the beast called Eloy Casagrande, which he joined SEPULTURA in 2013 “Mediator”, but the compositions of “Quadra” allow him to show much more of his abilities pushing forward the group and bringing freshness and almighty drumming. It would be inappropriate not to mention “Guardians Of Earth”, a synthesis that reminds us of “Chaos AD”, a turning point of SEPULTURA career.
Well, the question is if “Quadra” is equal to masterpieces as “Beneath The Remains”, “Arise” and “Roots”. Definitely not. For sure it’s the most interesting release since the Cavalera brothers left the band. Even though in “Quadra” we can hear all these things that made us love SEPULTURA, I have the idea that they haven’t reach their peak yet since there are two words that describe them perfectly. Evolution and experimentation. I can’t imagine how their next record will sound, but SEPULTURA showed us that they are still alive and kicking!
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: SEPULTURA – Official Page
