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Sepultura

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Sepultura

Sepultura (English: "tomb" or "grave"[1]) is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, formed in 1984.[2] The band was a major force in the death metal and thrash metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s,[3] and their later experiments melding hardcore punk and industrial music with extreme metal[4][5] provided a blueprint for the groove metal genre.[6]

Sepultura have released eleven studio albums so far, the latest being A-Lex (2009). Their most successful records are Arise (1991),[7] Chaos A.D. (1993), and Roots (1996),[8] each of them having surpassed the one million mark worldwide. Sepultura has sold over 15 million units worldwide,[9] gaining multiple gold and platinum records across the globe, including in countries as diverse as France,[10][11] Australia,[12] Indonesia,[13] United States,[14] Cyprus,[15] and their native Brazil.[16]

History

Formation and Morbid Visions (1984–1986)

Sepultura was formed in 1984 at Belo Horizonte, the capital city of Minas Gerais, Brazil.[2] At the core of the band were brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, the impoverished sons of model Vânia and Graciliano, a well-to-do Italian diplomat whose fatal heart attack left his family in financial dire straits.[17] Graciliano's death deeply affected his sons, providing them the impetus to start a band.[18] They chose "Sepultura" as the group's name after Max Cavalera was translating the lyrics of the Motörhead song "Dancing on Your Grave".[1]

The brothers' early likes included popular heavy rock artists of the early 1980s, such as Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, AC/DC, Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne.[2] Their listening habits changed dramatically after being introduced to Venom. As Igor Cavalera put it,

I remember the first time I listened to Venom, it was on a friend's borrowed tape. It was similar to Motörhead, only a lot heavier. I remember someone saying: it's the devil's Motörhead! After we got acquainted with Venom, we stopped listening to Iron Maiden and all that lighter stuff.[19]

From then on the Cavaleras rapidly started listening to bands such as Kreator, Sodom, Metallica, Exodus and Exciter.[20]

After constant band member changes, Sepultura established a temporary line-up of Max on electric guitar, Igor on drums, vocalist Wagner Lamounier, and bassist Paulo Jr..[21] Lamounier exited the band in March 1985 after disagreements with the band, and moved on to become the frontman of the Brazilian black metal pioneering band Sarcófago. After his departure, Max took over the vocal duties. Jairo Guedes was the invited to join the band as their lead guitarist.[22]

After about a year of performing, Sepultura signed to Cogumelo Records in 1985. Later that year, they released Bestial Devastation, a shared EP with fellow Brazilian band Overdose. In 1986, the band released their debut full-length album, Morbid Visions, which is widely considered as one of the first pure death metal albums.[citation needed] It was initially released in the United States on New Renaissance Records, a record label owned by Ann Boleyn.[citation needed]

New Renaissance Records was heavily criticized by the media for signing and promoting Sepultura. However, their song "Troops of Doom" gained them higher airplay.[citation needed]

Schizophrenia, Beneath the Remains, and Arise (1987–1992)

In early 1987, Jairo Guedes quit the band; Sepultura's lead guitarist had by then lost interest in playing death metal. Immediately after leaving Sepultura, Guedes formed Hanky Panky, a "cock rock" group in the vein of Ratt and Mötley Crüe.[23] Guedes later on joined brazillian thrash stahlwarts The Mist, Overdose and Eminence.[24] Jairo was replaced by São Paulo-based guitarist Andreas Kisser.[25]

The band's second studio album, Schizophrenia, was released in 1987. It saw a stylisitc change towards a more thrash metal-oriented sound, while still keeping the death metal elements of Morbid Visions. The album was a critical success,[citation needed] which led them to being signed to Roadrunner Records. With Roadrunner distributing Schizophrenia worldwide, Sepultura reached new and more numerous audiences of metal fans.

This stylistic change and critical success was cemented by the band's third studio album, Beneath the Remains, which was released in 1989. It was followed by a long European and American tour. Their first US show was held on October 31, 1989 at the Ritz in New York City, opening for Danish black metal band King Diamond. It is hailed by Terrorizer magazine as one of the all-time top 20 thrash metal albums[26], as well as a gaining a place in their all-time top 40 death metal records.[27]

Sepultura moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1990, and began recording material for their fourth studio album, Arise. By the time it was released in 1991, the band become one of the most critically-praised thrash/death metal bands of the time, in spite of a lack of mainstream success.[citation needed] The album was also their first to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching #119.[28]

Chaos A.D. and Roots (1993–1997)

Sepultura's fifth album, Chaos A.D., was released in 1993. It saw a departure from their death/thrash metal style,[29] mixing it with industrial and hardcore punk elements.[4] The album helped usher the groove metal genre,[6] and saw the band achieve recognition beyond the thrash metal community.[citation needed]

In 1994, Max and Igor, aided by Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel, released an even more industrial-oriented album, Point Blank, in 1994 under the name Nailbomb. Nailbomb performed only one full live gig, and the performance was released as Proud to Commit Commercial Suicide. The band also played selected tracks live on Sepultura's 1994 tour with Fudge Tunnel as guests.[citation needed]

Sepultura's death/thrash departure continued with their sixth album, Roots, which was released in 1996. The band further innovated by experimenting with elements of the music of Brazil's indigenous peoples, with a slower, downtuned metal sound.

Later that year, the band played on the Donnington main stage alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Paradise Lost, Type O Negative, Biohazard, and Fear Factory. However, at the height of Sepultura's fame, a series of events broke the band apart. Just after the release of Roots, Sepultura decided to fire their manager, Gloria, Max Cavalera's wife.

Internal tensions within the band occurred throughout the latter half of 1996,[citation needed] and at the end of a successful tour of Britain, at Brixton Academy on December 16, 1996, the band told Max that they would not renew Gloria's management contract. He then left the band, and subsequently formed a new one, Soulfly. The other members announced that they would continue under the Sepultura name and were searching for a replacement.

Against, Nation and Roorback (1998–2005)

Sepultura chose Derrick Green from Cleveland, Ohio to fill in as their frontman and vocalist. With the new line up, the band recorded their seventh album, Against, which was released in 1998. The album was commercially less successful than its two predecessors.[citation needed] Aided by Max's departure, the band saw a further change in their thrash metal elements.

The band's eighth album, Nation, released in 2001, sold poorly. This is probably in part due to having a more pure-thrash metal sound than its predecessors. It would be their last studio album released through Roadrunner Records.

A recording of Max's last live show with the band, Under A Pale Grey Sky, was later released in 2002 by their former record label, against the wishes of the band.

After recording Revolusongs, an EP of covers in 2002, the band released their ninth studio album, Roorback, in 2003. Despite having greater critical acclaim than its predecessors, sales remained low. It was their first album released through SPV Records.

In 2005, the band played in Dubai for the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival.

In November of that year, a live Double-DVD and Double-CD, Live in São Paulo, was released. This was the first official live album from the band. The release of the album marked the first involvement of the new "Sepularmy" street team in promotion of Sepultura. The Sepularmy is unrelated to any of the band members or its record label, and its members are motivated purely by the desire to share the band's music and message around the world.

Dante XXI and A-Lex (2006–present)

Sepultura's tenth album, Dante XXI, was released on March 14, 2006. It is a concept album based around Dante's The Divine Comedy. Music videos for the songs "Convicted in Life" and "Ostia" were released, following on from the album's concept.

In a recent interview in Revolver Magazine, Max Cavalera stated that Igor and himself would reunite with the original lineup. There were also rumors that the new line up would play on the main stage at Ozzfest 2007. However, this was denied by Kisser and the proposed reunion did not occur.[30]

Sepultura released A-Lex on 26 January 2009, being the first album without any Cavalera member. It is a new concept album based on the book 'A Clockwork Orange'. The album was recorded at Trama Studios in São Paulo, Brazil, with producer Stanley Soares.

The band was one of the featured musical guests at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2008 on November 13. They performed a cover of "The Girl from Ipanema" and a new song called "We've Lost You" from their album A-Lex.[31] The 9th annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas and aired on Univision.[32]

Members

Current
Former
Touring

Discography

Main article: Sepultura discography

References

  • Anonymous (May 2003). Beneath the Remains. In: A Megaton Hit Parade: The All-Time Thrash Top 20. Terrorizer #109, page 35.
  • Barcinski, André & Gomes, Silvio (1999). Sepultura: Toda a História. São Paulo: Ed. 34. ISBN 85-7326156-0
  • Colmatti, Andréa (1997). Sepultura: Igor Cavalera. Modern Drummer Brasil, 6, 18-26, 28-30.
  • Hinchliffe, James (December 2006). Beneath the Remains. In: Death Metal|The DM Top 40. Terrorizer #151, page 54.
  • Lemos, Anamaria (1993). Caos Desencanado. Bizz, 98, 40-45.
  • Schwarz, Paul (2005). Morbid Visions. In: The First Wave. Terrorizer, 128, 42.
  • Sepultura (1996). Roots. [CD]. New York, NY: Roadrunner Records. The 25th Anniversary Series (2-CD Reissue, 2005).

Notes

  1. ^ a b Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17.
  2. ^ a b c Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16.
  3. ^ Darzin, Daina (1994-05-05). "Sepultura: Chaos A.D." Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-07-13. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b Haagsma, Robert (1993). "Sepultura". Aardschok / Metal Hammer. Retrieved 2008-05-03. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help) Archived at Sepultura.be Cite error: The named reference "haagsma1993" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, pages 89 & 90.
  6. ^ a b "FOCUS ON CHAOS OF THE CARRION KIND". Roadrunner Records. 2006-09-26. Retrieved 2008-07-13. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Rivadavia, Ed. "( Sepultura > Biography )". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Colmatti 1997, page 22.
  9. ^ "Sepultura - Dados Históricos". Dicionário Cravo Albin de Música Popular Brasileira (in Portuguese). Instituto Cultural Cravo Albin. Retrieved 2008-08-07. O grupo já vendeu 15 milhões de cópias de seus 11 discos, por todo o mundo.
  10. ^ "Les certifications Albums - Année 1994". Musique sur Disque en France (SNEP). Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Les certifications Albums - Année 1997". Musique sur Disque en France (SNEP). Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 1997 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, pages 109 & 143.
  14. ^ "GOLD AND PLATINUM - Searchable Database". RIAA. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Sepultura - Dante XXI Certified Gold in Cyprus". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  16. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 143.
  17. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 14.
  18. ^ Chirazi, Steffan (2005). Roots (Media notes). New York, New York: Roadrunner Records. pp. p. 13. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |albumlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |bandname= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |notestitle= ignored (help)
  19. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 19.
  20. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 26.
  21. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 21.
  22. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 28.
  23. ^ Barcinski & Gomes (1999), page 47.
  24. ^ Granado Júnior, Jairo (2008-10-26). "Entrevista exclusiva: Jairo "Tormentor" Guedz dá uma geral em sua carreira e fala sobre o passado e o futuro com o Sepultura!". ... collector's room ... Retrieved 2008-10-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 49.
  26. ^ Terrorizer #109 (2003), page 35 (author unknown)
  27. ^ Hinchcliffe 2006, page 54
  28. ^ "Top Music Charts - Hot 100 - Billboard 200 - Music Genre Sales". Billboard Music Charts. Retrieved 2008-10-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 131.
  30. ^ "There Will Be No Sepultura Reunion In 2007". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2006-11-15. Retrieved 2007-07-13. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ "Sepultura Performs at Latin Grammy Awards; Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  32. ^ "Sepultura to Perform New Song at Latin Grammy Awards in Houston". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 2008-11-10. Retrieved 2008-12-02.

External links

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