UMUR "Morbid Visions" is a full-length studio album release by Brazilian death/thrash metal act Cavalera. The album was released through Nuclear Blast in July 2023. It´s a full re-recording of Sepultura´s November 1986 debut full-length studio album "Morbid Visions" plus the new original track "Burn the Dead", which closes the album. Normally when the Cavalera brothers work together, they work under the Cavalera Conspiracy monicker (who have released four full-length studio albums before this one), but they opted to release the re-recorded version of "Morbid Visions" under the shortened Cavalera name. The Cavalera brothers also opted to re-record Sepultura´s December 1985 "Bestial Devastation" EP (or more correctly Sepultura´s part of the "Bestial Devastation / Século XX" split with Overdose). The re-recorded EP was released on the same day the the re-recorded "Morbid Visions" album.

While the re-recording of the "Bestial Devastation" EP was maybe a bit redundant as the original is almost perfect as it is, the Cavalera brothers still made a respectful re-recording and the 2023 version of the EP is well worth a listen. Personally I always found the original version of "Morbid Visions" a bit harder to appreciate than "Bestial Devastation" as the original album features a sloppy and unpleasant sounding production job, and therefore this re-recording was something I looked forward to.

The differences between the original recording and this 2023 version are many and apparent. The playing is sharper, you can make out all riffs and rhythms, and the sound production is detailed and defined. I understand many fans prefer the original and almost regard this as a blasphemous attempt to cash in on the enduring popularity of the early Sepultura releases, but to my ears the Cavalera brothers manage to keep things respectful and they´ve even opted for a raw and organic sounding production, which suits the material well. This is not a lifeless, sterile, and clean sounding production job, like one could have feared from a 2023 recording.

I think it´s audible that the Cavalera brothers had fun while they made these re-recordings, but at the same time they´ve obviously spend a lot of time researching and deciding which pedals, tones, and drum tunings they wanted to use, and once again they´ve shown their class and professionalism, but also their unending passion for their material and the legacy of their art. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Bestial Devastation" is an EP release by Brazilian death/thrash metal act Cavalera. The EP was released through Nuclear Blast in July 2023. It´s a full re-recording of Sepultura´s December 1985 "Bestial Devastation" EP (or more correctly Sepultura´s part of the "Bestial Devastation / Século XX" split with Overdose) plus the new original track "Sexta Feira 13", which closes the album. Normally when the Cavalera brothers work together, they work under the Cavalera Conspiracy monicker (who have released four full-length studio albums up until 2023), but they opted to release the re-recorded version of "Bestial Devastation" under the shortened Cavalera name. The Cavalera brothers also opted to re-record Sepultura´s November 1986 "Morbid Visions" debut full-length studio album. The re-recorded album was released on the same day the the re-recorded "Bestial Devastation" EP.

There´s always danger when you re-recorded iconic releases, and it´s no less controversial just because you were the ones who recorded the original release. To my ears the Cavalera brothers has however done a pretty great job here, and the re-recorded death/thrashy tracks sound a little sharper and of course features a more well defined sound production. They´ve managed to still maintain an organic edge and they haven´t opted for a clean and sterile sound production, so there´s still authenticity left in these recordings. "Sexta Feira 13" makes a good addition to the original material as it´s much in the same style.

So upon conclusion I´m pleasantly surprised that this re-recording works well and is worth a listen. Of course nothing beats the savagery and youthful aggression of the original recordings, but this is in all ways a respectful re-recording. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

Vim Fuego So Cavalera Conspiracy is now Cavalera and has re-recorded “Bestial Devastation”, the famous first Sepultura EP originally released as a split with Overdose in 1985.

First thought: Why?

OK, the Cavalera brothers wrote these songs, and they reckon these old recordings don’t do them credit. Fair enough, do what you will with your own songs, but realise these have been around for a very long time, and fans are attached to the original versions, having invested a lot of time and memory to them. It doesn’t seem like fans were crying out for re-recordings. And music from this era and style is still being made - Jairo Guedz (Tormentor, and lead guitar/bass player on the original) is still doing this with The Troops of Doom.

So let’s start listening.

Second thought: Fuck!

Yeah, there’s an update to the sound, and it’s still heavy and bestial, but it’s too fucking clean! A big part of Bestial Devastation’s charm is the original recording’s sound. It has warmth and character because it’s not quite right. There’s a fuzz around the edges because the guitars are too loud. The drums are a bit out of time. The re-recorded “Antichrist” is played a lot faster by a far more accomplished 50-something Iggor than the original teen Iggor. All perfectly timed, all the fills in the right place, and all the personality is leeched from it.

Third thought: No!

You can’t rewrite history. Example: the solo near the end of the title track. It’s too slick. It’s played by Daniel Gonzalez, Cavalera Conspiracy’s live guitarist, and also a member of Possessed and Gruesome. Gonzalez is just too good and too technically proficient, and the sound too clean. There’s none of the amateurishness of a teenage guitarist laying down his first solo on tape. The new solos throughout are somewhat clinical and surgically precise, where a few idiosyncratic bum notes would have made things more interesting.

Fourth thought: Wait…

And just when you think it’s all a sterile, cynical cash-in, along comes “Sexta Fiera 13” (Friday the 13th), a turbo-charged take on the atmospheric theme song from the movie franchise of the same name. There’s little info on where or when this was written, but suddenly things are transformed. There’s no more shitting on history. It’s chaotic and brutal, and exactly what the brothers Cavalera were first famous for. And it’s a fucking great song.

Final thought: Fair enough.

Yeah, fuck it. This isn’t amazing, but it’s pretty good. These are modern reinterpretations of songs first recorded 38 years ago. The people re-recording them own them and can do what they like with them – at least these aren’t dubstep remixes. No one is forcing the rest of us to listen. And the originals still exist if you don’t like the re-recordings.

arcane-beautiful Ok, this is my third time listening to this album from start to finish, and to be honest, it only gets better with every listen.

This album really suprised me, when I first bought it I thought it was going to be just a normal metal album, with one or 2 great songs and the rest ok. But to be honest, their isn't one bad moment on this album. And each song is a perfect metal anthem.

This album saw the renuinion of the Cavalera brothers, who when disbanding Sepultura after maybe a decade of amazing music in 1997, they got back together...and it was well worth it.

I've noticed a patter that Max is albe to release an album every year now, with Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy releasing an album every 2 years, with one in between the other, only making more classic metal.

This album was what I felt to be a step forward to Soulfly's Conquer. A very, almost progressive influenced album, with alot of experementation and longer compositions, it really is something interesting to hear. Now this album I think is a more compacted version of what Conquer did. This album is more straightfoward, yet experementation is not completely lost.

It was also interesting to hear the loss of the almost tribal like ryhthms of Soulfly & Sepultura, and adopt a more Fear Factory type of power. The album is also quite melodic at times, which is mainly because of Marc Rizzo's amazing guitar work. It is pulled off very successfully...and this album wasn't in my top 161 list...but it's going in it now!

This album really is something to behold.

1. Inflikted - What a powerfull and diverse song. Pounding riffs and awesome guitar worl. Very cathcy and fierce (reminded me of Fear Factory). 10/10

2. Sanctuary - Killer riffs and a killer chorus. I remember seeing the video for this thinking..."wow cool video...and a pretty awesome song" (alot like what I was to Soulfly's Unleashed). Classic metal at its best and some of Max's best vocal performances. 10/10

3. Terrorize - Prety funky intro. Thrash at its best. I love the melodic guitar work. 10/10

4. Black Ark - One of the most interesting songs on the album. The use of 3 vocalists in the song is amazingly done. 10/10

5. Ultra-violent - The fierce rhythyms that change throughout really are amazing. A powerfull and amazing song...and its obviously about A Clockwork Orange (Sepultura much haha) 10/10

6. Hex - Powerfull and fast like a drill. Short and sweet. 10/10

7. The Doom Of All Fires - Love how Max's vocals calm down throughout. Fast and to the point. 10/10

8. Bloodbrawl - Max just spits words like venom. The instrumental section is just amazing with some beautiful guitar work. The ending is also suprisingly beautiful. One of the best and most interesting songs on the album. 10/10

9. Nevertrust - Quite punky. Great arrangement. Fast and furious. 10/10

10. Hearts Of Darkness - Cool instrumental sections. Interesting arrangement with some killer riffs. 9/10

11. Must Kill - Great ending. Although it drags on a bit. 9/10

CONCLUSION: It's one of the most perfect metal albums you will hear in a long time. Better than their latest...but still doesn't doubt the fact that Max Cavelera is still relevant in today's metal world

NEVER TRUST SOCIETY!!!

arcane-beautiful Wow! I wasn't expecting this.

My brother told me this album was suprisingly good, and to be honest I had mixed opinions of what I was going to be expect.

Everything Max Cavalera makes does have a similar sound...and you can complain that it at times can be predicatable, but who cares...this sound rocks! And to be honest, Thrash bores me usually...but I love this album.

These past few years Max has really showed some amazing potential...with his last 2 Soulfly albums being pretty imteresting and furious, and the first Cavalera Conpiracy album...well I'm reviewing it next, so wait and find out.

This really is a step foward from what was achieved on their first release, with some real experiments with structures, riffs, styles and genres (including hardcore punk, which is quite frequent on this album). And a bit of a warning, it doesn't start of the best, but its worth it, as it gets better throughout.

Again lyrically, Max's monosyllabic shouts and rants are very primal and quite protest like, but he's Brazillian...let him be. To be honest, I really think his lyrics at times are sweet and to the point. And some of these songs deal with stories, and he really is able to shorten detail down into a shouty song

This is also one of these albums that is quite short, but really says alot in a short period.

So if you think Max Cavaler is a one trick pony, think again, shut up, listen and enjoy!

1. Warlord - Great grooves and fierce riffs. Interesting chorus. Great vocals. 9/10

2. Torture - Nice punky feel. Fast and quick, but pretty typical Cavalera style. 8/10

3. Lynch Mob - Great chorus and guest vocals from some person who I don't know (anyone help me out here). I like the Gojira like grooves (I wonder why haha). 9/10

4. Killing Inside - Amazing guitar work from Marc. Very Killing Joke. 10/10

5. Thrasher - Kick ass riffs. Some very interesting changes and moments. 9/10

6. I Speak Hate - Interesting meloic moments over such fury. Great changes throughout. 10/10

7. Target - This is how thrash should sound...like a f**king drill. 9/10

8. Genghis Khan - Great arrangment and diverse vocals. One of the most interesting songs on the album. 10/10

9. Burn Waco - Very punky and quite grindcorey in the chorus. Interesting changes. 10/10

10. Rasputin - What a fierce intro. Like a drill. Great odd arrangements. 10/10

11. Blunt Force Trauma - Nice melodic twists and turns. The instrumental section in the middle is very cool and very melodic. 10/10

12. Psychosamatic - Very Sepultura intro. Great punky feeling. 10/10

13. Jihad Joe - Great chorus, but to be honest, the lyrics aren't the best. 9/10

CONCLUSION: This album will suprsie you, and hypnotize you. It's very enjoyable and Max Cavalera really is an underated metal God!!! LONG LIVE MAX CAVALERA!