Album Review: Sepultura – Quadra (Nuclear Blast)

It goes without saying that the global metal scene would not be the same without Sepultura. For 35 years now, the Brazilian icons are not only a band revered worldwide; they have been, are and forever will be at the very forefront of Thrash Metal, trailblazing ever since they released their long-since legendary debut album “Morbid Visions” in 1986.

While quickly establishing themselves as leaders of the second wave of Thrash already in the late eighties, to this day they never came even close to stagnation. “Quadra”, their mighty new undertaking, is proof of a will unbroken, a thirst unquenched and a quality so staggeringly high it’s a wonder this band doesn’t implode. Now three albums deep into what may very well be their strongest incarnation yet – uniting the talents of old-school members Andreas Kisser (guitars, vocals) and Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. (bass), vocal force of nature Derrick Green (vocals) and drummer Eloy Casagrande – Sepultura are an unleashed power to be reckoned with, uniting bucketloads of experience and youthful vigour in a totally revived way.

Quadra will be released on February 7th 2020 via Nuclear Blast Records.

This is a big record for Sepultura. Forever having to answer critics who can’t accept that their version of Sepultura hasn’t been a thing since 1996. Regardless of the quality output the band has been churning out for the better part of 20 years, naysayers will still squeal and scream about how they’re not really Sepultura. It’s absurd, especially in 2020.

Sepultura realistically have nothing to prove but truth be told, there’s no better way of answering your critics then releasing a banger album. Which is exactly what they’ve done here with Quadra.

With a bombastic and surprisingly epic intro, Isloation has Sepultura throwing their all into an absolute beast of a thrash metal song. The forces of this band working together in furious tandem, even the most anti-Sepultura person would struggle to stop themselves head-banging here.

Means to an End and Last Time bring as much noise as possible to this thrash party, both tracks serving as a reminder of just how great a vocalist Derrick Green is. The man has an absolutely beastly voice and on both these tracks he digs down deep for a crushing performance to rival anyone within the thrash/death world.

Enough also can’t be said about the guitar wizardry of Andreas Kisser. There isn’t a single track where he isn’t doing something that beggars belief. Even if it’s just slamming the riffs down with angry vitriol such as on Capital Enslavement and Ali. The former, a track that shows Sepultura are never afraid to acknowledge their roots.

The backbone of anything really heavy is of course the bass and drums and the pair of Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. and Eloy Casagrande prove to be an integral part of what makes Quadra such a beastly listen. The aptly titled Raging Void picking up and tossing around to a disorientating finish.

A choir adds some epic freshness to Guardians of the Earth although there is no arguing with the guitar solo here. Before it’s back to thrash ferocity with The Pentagram and Autem. Call them ‘fan-pleasers’ if you will as the final two tracks are a bit more experimental and may not please everyone. So be it though because they are great, in particular Agony of Defeat.

It’s a hell of an album.

Sepultura – Quadra Full Track Listing:

1. Isolation
2. Means To An End
3. Last Time
4. Capital Enslavement
5. Ali
6. Raging Void
7. Guardians Of Earth
8. The Pentagram
9. Autem
10. Quadra
11. Agony Of Defeat
12. Fear; Pain; Chaos; Suffering

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