|
It’s been over ten years since the brothers Cavalera have put out an album together. The two brothers didn’t see each other or talk to each other for those ten years plus…but time heals all, and now they have put out a new album that has been branded “Inflikted” under the moniker the Cavalera Conspiracy! Awesome! After all the strife this album is one of the most anticipated albums in metal history!
“Inflikted” is unmistakably Cavalera!! Rhythmic riff master Max and precision skins pummeler Igor pretty much pick where they left off the last time they put an album together with each other.
Max’s heavy, thrashy, guitar pulses are as lively as ever. They slap the listener across the face, getting your attention at every note. Fastidious shredding balance the more beat driven riffs helping this album at times to reach new dynamics.
And speaking of beat driven and dynamic, Igor shows why he is the ultimate timekeeper on drums. Like a swiss clock, precise and unwavering, he blasts forth an arsenal of hammering notes on a foundation of cadenced emotion.
The Cavalera’s are obviously the brainchild of the band but they didn’t put this album together with only themselves. They had help on guitars from Marc Rizzo (Soulfly) and bass by Gojira guitarist Joe Duplantier. As Max stated that he didn’t want to have any big names to aid with this album, it’s about the music.
However, there was a guest appearance on the track “Ultra-Violent” by bassist Rex Brown (Pantera, Down). Also the recording of the album was done with Dirty Icon, which includes Lucas Banker and former Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader.
The vocals on the album are done by Max with his usual yelling grimace, a norm for people that have been following him for years. Max’s son Ritchie does a guest vocal on the album on the tune “Black Ark.”
“Sanctuary” is the first single from the album, and you can be assured of more. There are several terrific tracks on the album. “Inflikted” is really void of any weak spots.
A couple other tunes were recorded but didn’t make it onto the album. A cover of the Possessed song “The Exorcist” along with another track “In Conspiracy.” You will probably see these tracks on single releases as an extra song.
I’m sure they will get sick of the comparisons, but they do sound like Sepultura and Soulfly. The comparison is obviously for good reason. However, the Cavalera Conspiracy still seems to be its own animal. There are parts that seem very reminiscent from the “Beneath The Remains,” “Arise” and “Chaos AD” eras along with some parts of a more modern vibe.
The Cavalera brothers are back now to blast your ears once again as one of the most lethal brothers in metal. All Sepultura fans should be more than pleased, and fans of thrash and death metal make sure you check out “Inflikted” as it will wreak havoc in your stereo and on you mind! This album has showed me in many ways to expect the unexpected!
Rating: 89
Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins
|
When I first heard that Igor and Max Cavalera were back together once again, I couldn't help but get excited. Being a long-time Sepultura fan, This was the news I had been waiting far too long. The brothers may still not be under the Sepultura banner but Cavalera Conspiracy will take all old-school Sepultura and current Soulfly fans on a journey they will never forget as Max and Igor create history with 'Inflikted'.
The self-titled track 'Inflikted' reminds me so much of Sepultura's 'Slave New World' but better, although there are a few similarities 'Inflikted' has a life of it's own. From the get go you will be bashing your head to this killer track. I became a massive fan of 'Inflikted' the first time I heard it, this is a song you can't help but play loud. The mix is perfect, the bass is in all the right places, vocally Max sounds better than he has on past Soulfly albums and having Igor smashing away of the drums is more than enough reason to turn this up loud!
Hear the first single 'Sanctuary' taken from 'Inflikted' currently blasting on our main page! 'Sanctuary' is another track that reminds me more of old school Sepultura rather than Soulfly, this is a great song to thrash out to, but personally I would have chosen something else to be the first single! A fantastic track nevertheless which shows off the talents of Soulfly guitarist Marc Rizzo!
'Terrorize' was a song that I found to have a strange introduction, it reminded me of an acoustic drum version of the Sepultura classic 'Territory' which seemed to weird for me, but once the song kicked in, I was hooked! Lyrically one of my favourite songs on the new album and I have no doubt this will soon become a crowd favourite when the band hit the road!
'Black Art' was a track that just didn't grab me, it definitely has more of current feel about it, but from start to finish I just wasn't a fan! 'Black Art' also features Max's son Ritchie as a guest vocalist. Having seen Ritchie live in action, I know he can handle the job at hand, but it still wasn't enough to grab me in this case! There is no doubt that this is my least favourite song from 'Inflikted'. 'Ultra-Violent' was very cool! 'Ultra-Violent' is a heavy groove orientated track which I can see going down very well live among the moshers! The thumping bass lines on 'Ultra-Violent' were laid down by Rex Brown, who is best known for his work with Pantera and Down!
As a long-time Sepultura fan I grew up listening to 'Beneath The Remains' and 'Schizophrenia' and when 'Hex' started, I was reminded immediately of those early Sepultura albums, this is a killer fast track that will be a hit with long-time Sepultura / Cavalera fans.
'The Doom Of All Fires' is a strange one for me… when the song first kicked in all I could thing of was that shitty Bloodhound Gang song 'Fire, Water, Burn'. Unfortunately I couldn't get the thought of that song out of my head and 'The Doom Of All Fires' was doomed from start to finish for me!
'Bloodbrawl' is an awesome track, this is one of my favourite songs on 'Inflikted', and I believe this would have made a better first single in place of 'Sanctuary'! Heavy guitars, killer riffs, 'Bloodbrawl' is one song I have no problem blasting and headbanging along to! Max sounds amazing and Igor's signature drumming really shines though on this! My hat goes off to Marc Rizzo for his amazing solo efforts on this track too also! Killer tune!
'Nevertrust' is a punk infused hard-hitting thrash masterpiece! 'Nevertrust' is another one of those tracks that will appeal to all of Max's fans no matter what band you know him from! Play it loud!
'Hearts of Darkness' for me is possibly the best track on the album! I love the track title and musically this song represents everything I love about the Cavalera team. It is a much more straightforward metal track rather than so much technical timing and influence from foreign instruments and effects! This song will appeal to all, not just fans of Nailbomb, Soulfly, and Sepultura but all metal fans! There is no doubt that this is one song you will break your neck thrashing along to with those metal horns raised in the air! If nothing else I recommend you buy the album just for this song!
The album draws to a close with the powerful 'Must Kill'. First thing that comes to mind when I hear 'Must Kill' is the catchy guitar riffs from start to finish, I found that to be one of the biggest draws to this track as well as the thunderous double kick work that Igor provides. 'Must Kill' is a great song to close the album with and after a few listens you can't help but wonder what the next step is going to be for the Cavalera brothers. No matter what they do and where there endeavours take them at this moment in time the Cavalera brothers are back and stronger than ever!
Cavalera Conspiracy's 'Inflikted' is a must have album for all metal fans! Weather you grew up on the earliest Sepultura albums or followed Max's career with Nailbomb and Soulfly this album is a must have for your collection! Only time will tell if Max and Igor will re-join Sepultura, and if that day comes we can only hope that they add some of the tracks from 'Inflikted' to their set lists! 'Inflikted' will go down in the metal history books as a timeless classic and once you have had your serving of Cavalera Conspiracy I don't doubt that you will agree!
Rating: 80
Reviewed By: Cameron Edney - http://www.myspace.com/insideout666ints