Sepultura hasn’t sounded this good in years. The new Cavalera Conspiracy records hearkens back to the band that first brought Brazil into the global Metal world, all those years ago. We’re talking “Arise” and “Beneath the Remains,” before the more experimental days of their masterpiece, “Chaos A.D.” and “Roots Bloody Roots,” which led to the band split and Max Cavalera’s successful Soulfy project.

The comparisons of Cavalera Conspiracy to Sepultura are not meant to denigrate the version of the band led by Andreas Kisser and Derrick Green, but are intened to honor the legacy of Max Cavalera. This guy is one of Thrash Metal’s all -time great innovators and songwriters, and deserves to be held in the same esteem as other luminaries, like Kerry King, Scott Ian, Dimebag Darrell, and Mike Muir. This is made evident with the showcase of fucking brutal, masterful set of tracks on CC’s 2017 release, “Psychosis.” Highlights are “Hellfire,” the title track, “Spectral War,” and oh, just fucking listen to the whole thing.
If you don’t know, this band is a reunion of Max and Iggor Cavalera, co-founders of Sepultura. Iggor deserves praise for being one of the most distinctive drummers in the Thrash and Death field, which represents the most athletically skilled class of drummers in the world. Together, the brothers’ songs bring savagery and raw power. This alone isn’t the major accomplishment of “Psychosis;” what’s most impressive is Cavalera’s ability to mold this supernova intensity into something with melody and heart. It feels more like a whirlwind of blades than a blunt-force pummeling. It’s the musical embodiment of the Shrike from Dan Simmons’ “Hyperion” series.
Obviously, not for the weak of constitution. Get this album, strap yourself in, and let it rip you to shreds.