Welcome to the LOUDEST DOT COM ON THE PLANET!
KNAC.COM News Reviews and More Watch The Latest Videos Buy KNAC T-shirts and More


Peter Atkinson Reviews - Sepultura, Kairos

By Peter Atkinson, Contributor
Monday, August 22, 2011 @ 6:57 AM


- advertisement -
SEPULTURA
Kairos
(Nuclear Blast)

While the wait continues for the return of the prodigal Cavalera brothers Max and Igor and a reunion of the classic Sepultura lineup – don't hold your breath – longtime members guitarist Andreas Kisser and bassist Paulo Jr., along with frontman Derrick Green and drummer Jean Dolabella have at least rediscovered some of the band's classic sound.

Their 12th studio full-length, Kairos, is Sepultura's most uptempo, focused and engaging album since 1993's Chaos A.D., and is easily the best work they've done since the ugly split with Max Cavalera in 1996, though that is faint praise at best. Post-Max releases have been a mishmash of the sluggish and directionless – Roorback, Nation – or overblown conceptualizing – Dante XXI and A-Lex.

While Kairos also is billed as a concept album, ostensibly dealing with the element of time, it comes out swinging with “Spectrum” and never bogs down in thematics, with the numerically titled interludes - “2011,” “5772,” etc. - providing the only obvious connective tissue. And how effectively bruising covers of Ministry's “Just One Fix” and The Prodigy's “Firestarter” figure into whatever storyline is going on here is anybody's guess.

Regardless, tracks like “Relentless,” “No One Will Stand,” “Born Strong,” “Seethe” and “Mask” boast the sort of muscle, moxie and determination that made Sepultura thrash metal titans back in the day, at least until Roots. And it's nice to hear the band ripping it up again, even if these songs can't quite match the primal electricity of the Beneath The Remains/Arise era. They're still a step up from much of what these guy have been doing of late.

Kairos also gets a huge boost in the production department from Roy Z ( Judas Priest, etc.) who cleans up some of the sludge that has been clogging up the band's sound for years, making for a crisper, brisker presentation. This alone lets Kisser's churning riffs and occasionally squealing leads dig deep and hit hard.

Whether it's too little too late for fans who long ago lost patience with the band or continue to pining for the “glorious return” of the Cavaleras - especially now, given the Sepultura-like histrionics of Cavalera Conspiracy - really matters not. An album like Kairos is long overdue from this version Sepultura, and for once they deliver.

* * * (Three Stars)

- Peter Atkinson


Back to Top

 

 

 Recent Features
Beyond Dreams: An Interview With MURIELLE Of THE GREAT ALONE
Against The Winds: An Exclusive Interview With JEFF PILSON Of REVOLUTION SAINTS
Warp Speed Warriors: An Exclusive Interview With ALICIA VIGIL Of DRAGONFORCE
Saints Will Conquer: An Exclusive Interview With JOEY VERA Of ARMORED SAINT
So Shall It Be: An Exclusive Interview With STET HOWLAND Of FREAKSHOW
We're Just One Under The Sun: An Exclusive Interview With FABIENNE ERNI And JONAS WOLF Of ILLUMISHADE
Shades Of Sorrow: An Exclusive Interview With Bassist/Vocalist FERNANDA LIRA Of CRYPTA
Hail To The Warriors: An Exclusive Interview With TODD MICHAEL HALL Of RIOT V
KNAC.COM Recaps The 2024 METAL HALL OF FAME Ceremony With Photos!
Who Wants To Live Forever: An Exclusive Interview With ERIK OLDON Of LORD DYING
Time To Rise: An Exclusive Interview With ANDERS "LA" RONNBLOM Of SOCIAL DISORDER
Sound & Fury: An Exclusive Interview With LENNY BRUCE of DUST BOLT
Sunset Strip United: An Exclusive Interview With JACK RUSSELL Of RUSSELL/GUNS
Those Were The Days: JUNKMAN's Classic 2010 Interview With OZZY OSBOURNE Now With Video!
Clear Cold Beyond: An Exclusive Interview With TONY KAKKO Of SONATA ARCTICA
Begin Again: An Exclusive Interview With PAULIE Z Of ZO2
Five Angry Men: An Exclusive Interview With DYMYTRY
I'll See You In December: An Interview With ZAC MALOY Of THE NIXONS
The Grace Of A Dragonfly: An Exclusive Interview With STEVE MANN Of LIONHEART
Queens: An Exclusive Interview With GUERNICA MANCINI and MONA LINDGREN Of THE GEMS
Rattle The Cage: An Interview With THE RODS



HOME | MAGAZINE | VIDS | STORE | HELP/POLICIES

©2024 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.    Link to us    Advertise with us    Privacy policy
 Latest News