Revisiting older records can be a hit or miss. Revisiting older records and actually re-recording them can be an even bigger risk. Some bands do it and go the “This is how we play them now” route or the “This is how we originally envisioned this album” route and others, like the brothers Cavalera (Max & Iggor of course), just say “Fuck it! Let’s go heavier and harder than ever!” And that, my friends, is why we now have this beautiful beastly pair of updated records of two Sepultura classics.
If we may be so bold, we think the brothers have gotten even better with age. Iggor definitely hits harder than ever before and, if possible, plays even faster. Then there’s Max who’s completely leaned in on the sonic brutality with his guitar and voice style in recent years.
Bestial Devastation just straight up shreds. It’s always been a collection of relentless aural carnage but with the new version, the Cavalera’s have somehow managed to make the record leaner… and even meaner! “The Curse” is even more ominous while the title track absolutely rips. The terrible twosome that is “Antichrist” and “Necromancer” are just glorious and sound better than ever with crisp production from Iggor and Max. “Warriors Of Death” sounds almost entirely different with the way the brothers are playing now with Iggor’s drums especially played with a vibrant fury and then “Sexta Feira 13” ends this chapter with potent pummeling from Iggor as Max’s vocals and guitar echo the fire being pounded out.
Then we get Morbid Visions, the re-recording of Sepultura’s debut full-length. And it’s fast. Like Spaceballs-style ludicrous speed. The title track is like a race between the Cavalera’s as to who will finish first (Spoiler alert: It’s a tie!) and “Mayhem” is a bludgeoning update of the OG with Max using his big boy scream emphatically. The classic (Among classics) “Troops Of Doom” sounds fresher and more fiery, “Crucifixion” starts with a steady stomp then becomes a Thrash masterpiece, and later on “Funeral Rites” is a slowed down journey that brings a heady flow to the table before the shredding starts again. All in all, with the way the Cavalera’s play today it’s refreshing to re-visit their beginnings and completely turn it on its’ head for today’s Metal fans.
Both Bestial Devastation and Morbid Visions drop through Nuclear Blast Records on July 14th. Get yer pre-order/pre-save on now especially to pick up some sweet vinyl while you can by heading here. For the latest from the duo, including already announced fall tour dates in support of these classics and more, follow the socials by clicking here, here, or here.