Sepultura
Nation
Roadrunner
It would seem former frontman Max Cavalera would leave some mighty, dirty shoes to fill with Sepultura, but current vocalist Derrick Green has been quite handy with the microphone since the split. Nation, the second outing with Green, sees the foursome bring a cavalcade of guests along for the shredding, including Jello Biafra and even Finnish String Quartet Apocalyptica. Quite more epic in scope than their previous effort, Against, the quartet has opted for a more melodic warpath to inflict their furious assault.
Tracks like “One Man Army” and “The Ways of Faith” showcase Green’s crooning ability before launching into a distorted sludge-rock rampage. But the band hasn’t abandoned their tribal roots, with “Uma Cura” dispensing a potent, programmed dosage of Brazilian nectar. Yes, the short thrash interludes are unnecessary at times, but Apocalyptica’s symphonic dischord on “Valtio,” which intertwines with plucked acoustic strings, draw this record to a near-perfect finale. Although more hardcore than ethnic, the shoes have been filled and the Sepultribe continues to keep their souls flying.
Roadrunner Records, 902 Broadway, New York, NY 10010, http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com
