When I first heard albums like "Beneath the Remains" and "Arise" I was instantly drawn in by the precise heavy riffing and excellent arrangements as Brazil's Sepultura took the intensity of Slayer and combined with the extremities of Death Metal. Having heard some of the music Sepultura has released the last few years I was not impressed and did not have high hopes for this "Dante XXI". I was pleasantly surprised. "Dante XXI" is by no means amazing or groundbreaking but has to be some of their best work since “Chaos A.D.” (in my opinion the last good album with “Arise” being the last great album).

A lot of the thrash and speed captured on the early Sepultura albums are back and lead singer Derrick Green has some very good range with his vocals. Some tracks have more of a hardcore influence however where the vocals are more screamed than traditionally delivered. The one thing I love about thrash bands like Testament, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, older Sepultura and others, is on top of the menacing fast paced music you have vocals that are actually sung which isn’t found too much in today’s hardcore scene where there is too much screaming and undistinguishable vocals.

I’m on the fence with this album. It’s good but it’s not great. The first two tracks after the intro ‘Dark Wood of Error’ and ‘Convicted in Life’ are the highlights for me. Pure old school speed/thrash metal all the way. ‘Nuclear Seven’ features an awesome guitar solo halfway through the track.

This album is definitely a step in the right direction but the faster more old school sounding tracks should replace the more hardcore sounding stuff. I feel that next time around Sepultura are due to wright another start to finish thrashterpiece. In the meantime this will do.