When I heard the single off of Sepultura’s latest release it was quite awhile before I would hear the rest of the album. Those of you who are fans of Sepultura know what you’re getting into even before you buy the album, a hard hitting and heavy journey into South American metal. On this new trip the band has some new tricks up their sleeve, and a semi-different sound. Although taking new courses, the band is still deeply embedded in rock. I think metal heads will enjoy Roorback nonetheless.

Followers of Sepultura know that the band went through a potential disaster back in the late 90’s. Following some discrepancies in the band, and the devastating murder of his son, Max Cavalera decided to leave the band. The metal community was shocked, after enjoying album after album of pure unfiltered thrash metal. Well that was old Sepultura, this is the new crop. Enter Derrick Green, the bands new vocalist. Some people think that when Max left the band, the band died. I like to think that Sepultura just morphed into a newer, healthier band. While the band was still in its tribal stage, honoring their Brazilian roots Derrick and the boys recorded the albums: Against, and Nation; both excellent CD’s. Not everyone likes this new image of Sepultura. Fans were used to the old Sepultura, and had a hard time swallowing this new sound. Derrick not only had some huge shoes to fill, but could he continue along with this powerhouse of a band? Even though Sepultura is hugely underrated in the United States, their international following is enormous.

Well that was then and this is now and Sepultura is a whole new machine. When Nation was released Sepultura had seamlessly fused political and tribal rock. It was an awesome album. With Roorback, a slightly different approach has been taken; less tribal, more political angst. I was a little upset that I wouldn’t be able to hear the thundering percussion that made me love such albums as Chaos A.D, Roots, and Against. Sepultura has sifted out most of the tribal influences, and replaced them with crude, raw rock. Almost all of the songs are loaded with blazing guitar progressions and fuzzed out screaming. Ahh to enjoy metal! Hard rock is unlike many other genres of music. There has to be an ear there for it to truly appreciate it. Even though the guitar work is relatively simple, the dirty chords coming through my speakers are quite fulfilling. Andreas Kisser once again delivers with his blurry music that only a rocker can love.

Roorback, in case you’re wondering is a word (noun) that means a defamatory falsehood published for political effect, also known as Black Propaganda. Don’t ask me where it came from; the definition is in the CD case. Even the guerilla artwork throughout the liner notes and jewel case has a political theme to it. Along with the title of the CD and the artwork the lyrics are just as political. Instead of aiming their fire at something specific like Rage Against the Machine, Sepultura are angry at “THE MAN.” Check out some of these lyrics:

Come Back Alive:

Sent in the middle of a war
You have to fight
Wondering how the fu*k
You ever landed over here
Never thought about all the bullsh*t
That they feed
Now you’re thinking how to keep
The bullets from your head

Now turn up the volume, add some screeching guitars, some rumbling vocals, and a bad ass drummer and you’ll want to start breaking stuff! That’s right Igor Cavalera (Max’s brother) still rocks the kit something fierce! The drums are still really heavy and booming even though the hand drums are gone. What I do enjoy about this new release is the equality of all the instruments. They are all the same volume so the drums don’t overpower or stick out over any other instrument. Roorback is truly a wall of sound.

When Roorback was released it also was released with a special edition of the album. The special edition (which I have) comes with a second CD entitled Revolusongs. The bonus CD is full of “Sepultur-ized” covers. From Jane’s Addiction to U2 this bonus CD is really cool. The only gripe I have with it is, the rock version of Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos, from Public Enemy. I’m sorry Derrick but don’t quit your day job. If anyone has heard Fear Factory and B Real from Cypress Hill sing Back The Fu*k Up on the album Digimortal, will know what this song sounds like. Let’s just stop with the rap rock thing. It was good while it lasted but let’s not ruin its appeal. Revolusongs also comes with a music video for Bullet the Blue Sky. It’s pretty sweet; toss it in your computer to see it.

However, I do have some problems with Roorback. My main gripe with this CD is that it sounds too similar. The songs kind of meld into one giant track that spans close to an hour. The guitar is good, but not outstanding enough to say: “Whoa! Check out track 5, Andreas kicks ass!!” Another complaint I have ties in to the first one. The songs seem way too short. As soon as you get into it and start expecting some nasty explosion of rock, the tune is all over. What makes this even weirder is that all the songs run about the average three to three and a half minutes. Make sure to check out the secret track all the way at the end of Roorback, I was surprised, and glad I found it.

I recommend this album if you are a new fan of Sepultura. If you only listen to albums like Schizophrenia and Bestial Devastations you might want to look elsewhere. However, if you do like newer Sepultura like Nation, then try Roorback. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I do have to say that buying the special edition with Revolusongs will greatly enhance your listening pleasure. Sepultura downright rock out on tracks like Mountain Song from Jane’s Addiction or their killer version of Bullet the Blue Sky from U2.

My final decision on this album is three and a half planets. It has some great moments and some not so great, so it hits just above average. I can throw it into my player and start head-banging; envisioning myself at a rare stateside Sepultura concert or just hanging out with some of my fellow rockers. Give this album a shot if you’re up for it. Nevertheless, as those of you who have read all my other music reviews know that I’m entrenched in metal. Just because you like U2 doesn’t mean you will like this version. Until next time my metal brethren, keep the steel hot!! ROCK!

 

Track Listing:
01. Come Back Alive
02. Godless
03. Apes of God
04. More of The Same
05. Urge
06. Corrupted
07. As It Is
08. Mind War
09. Leech
10. The Rift
11. Bottomed Out
12. Activist
13. Outro

Nightswrath Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Planets


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