Sepultura | Against | CD

Sepultura: Andreas Kisser (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin guitar, sitar, bongos, timbales, djembe, shakers); Derrick Green (vocals, guitar, udu drum, snare drum); Paulo Jr. (berimbau, bass, fretless bass, udu drum); Igor Cavalera (drums, percussion, congas, timbales, djembe, shakers, bells, agogo, z-bell, crashers).
KODO: Tersuro Naito, Eiichi, Hideyuki Saito, Tomohiro Mitome, Takesshi Arai, Takahito Nishino, Motofumi Yamaguchi (percussion).
Additional personnel: Joao Gordo (vocals); Jason Newsted (baritone guitar, percussion, theremin, background vocals); Miles Tackett (cello); Judd Kallish (roto toms); Silvio Gomes (djembe); Zebrahead, Gringo (background vocals).
Upon the departure of vocalist Max Cavalera, Sepultura hired Derrick Green. Derrick continues the powerful vocal style of his predecessor. The band also continues its tradition of strong metal albums, as AGAINST is brutal and uncompromising. Sepultura is a metal band with a twist. They're Brazilian, and integrate their background into the thunderous attack. The result is an album with an appeal beyond the metal crowd.
The title track is fast and punky. "Old Earth" has a murky feel, with some excellent bottom-heavy riffs. "Floaters in the Mud" features some excellent percussion work, including timbales, udu drum, and high djembe. "Common Bonds" has sweeping time changes and "Kamaitachi" brings a Japanese influence to the album, featuring the members of Japan's percussion ensemble Kodo. The highlight is "Hatred Aside," featuring Jason Newsted of Metallica on vocals, baritone guitar and theremin. His ferocious singing may indicate his frustration at the mellowing sound of his own group. "T3Rcermillennium" is the album's closer and is a beautiful instrumental piece. A world music metal album? AGAINST definitely meets the criteria, and is a bombastic, well-produced record as well.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Heavy Metal
• Released: 10/5/1998
• Released: 10/05/1998