OK, so Max Cavalera is no longer a part of Sepultura.  He left and formed Soulfly a long, long time ago now. Paulo Jr, is the only founding member left; Andreas Kisser seems to be mostly in charge now, but he's earned that perceived role - - he was there for all albums but the first. Imagine if George and Ringo had recruited new members and continued to tour and produce Beatles albums without John and Paul - - that's basically the story with Sepultura.*

Sadly, it's tough to listen to a new Sepultura release without all of that history to consider (Full disclosure: 2009's "A - Lex" is this reviewer's first exploration of post-Cavalera Sepultura). I hold this band's "Chaos A.D." as one of the important, sacred texts of thrash metal; that album's innovations left the genre forever changed. I've greatly enjoyed some -- but not all -- of Soulfy's output. I have great respect for the innovations of Sepultura's past. It's taken me a lot of time and a lot of spins to wrap my head around this latest CD. I feel comfortable now to advise you as to how you should proceed, re: "A - Lex".

Derrick Green brings incredible stage presence, but on disc, he mostly sounds like just another hoarse thrash vocalist in the footsteps of Chuck Billy, less-screechy Tom Araya --- and yes. . . Max Cavalera. Whatever. He's effective; he doesn't mesmerize you, but he gets the job done.

 This album kicks off with one of its four very cool, ominous instrumentals, then dives right in with the ok high-octane thrasher “Moloko Mesto”, which hearkens back to the "Arise" days in sound. ("What's it gonna be, then?") "Filthy Rot" follows, bringing in some tribal-sounding drums and chants to remind you that you're listening to Sepultura -- but rest assured; this song is worthy of the name. It only gets better with Track 4: "We've Lost you!" -- the highlight of the album, and a new Sepultura classic.

 There are some more strong riffs and successes (I dig "A - Lex II" and "Metamorphosis") -- along with a few uninteresting, generic pit-focused bashes as the album progresses. The album climaxing close to the end with "Ludwig Van", which lives up to its title with a nice Trans-Siberian Orchestra-like metal-orchestral instrumental Beethoven medley (although I guess in this case, it would be the Trans-Brazilian Orchestra).

 It's also noteworthy that “A – Lex” is a concept album based on Anthony Burgess's novel, "A Clockwork Orange", so there's some lyrical depth to explore as well.

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 I know you're bitter. I know you want the Sepultura of 1993 back again. . . .but you know what? It's not 1993. Deal.

This new Sepultura has put together a damn fine album. It's not "Chaos A.D." It won't reinvigorate the genre. It won't win back the bitterest of old-school fans who somehow feel that acknowledging latter-day incarnations is some sort of betrayal. But it's finer moments will get under your skin, will kick your ass, and will win you over.

*I don't claim to know their motives for continuing as Sepultura, but - think about the gigs and attention they get. Would a band called "Beneath the Remains" or-something, "featuring former members of Sepultura" get the gigs they do? Would such a band have landed an appearance in a Volkwagen commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQmHs2rPJ24 )? And look at the incredibly deep catalog of metal classics that you know for sure you'll hear if you go see a band called Sepultura live.