Cavalera - Brutal 'Morbid Visions' is seen in London

*****

The show we all have been waiting for!!!

Cavalera ***** is a show that I have been looking forward to for a long time, and with the show featuring early songs by Sepultura this is a must for any Metalhead not just me. Sepultura was formed by brothers Max Cavalera (Lead Vocals / Guitar) and Iggor Cavalera (Drums), who are both in the line-up for Cavalera. They performed songs from two classic early Sepultura records 'Beneath the Remains' (1989) and 'Arise' (1991), these records took the Metal World by storm and gave way to their in my personal opinion finest moment 'Chaos A.D.' a record that defined a big period of my life. With songs like 'Refuse/Resist' and 'Territory' both they play snippets of, the mainstream was introduced for the first time to a band that liked to play it's music extreme... but at the same time still having catchy riffs and a stage presence like no other.

The band have an epic intro before they break into the first track, of a performance I have to say I will never forget. 'Bestial Devastation' get's things started in the right way. Brutal and in your face, and everything on stage looks perfect. You really think you have been taken back to a Sepultura show back in the late eighties / early ninties, and for someone who craves going back to shows back then. I am delighted to see this, and instantly enjoying the set. The 90's for me is my favourite era for Metal music, with so many of my favourite bands coming from it or releasing some of my most played records during it. These records I still have on repeat to this day, for me the 80's was about Electronic music, but the 90's was all about Metal. Don't get me wrong I do love some of the 70's and 80's Metal, but for me the 90's Metal and Rock era really stepped up it's game and so many new sounds were produced that spawned so many different genres.

Cavalera is advertised on the Cavalera Conspiracy online pages, and arguements have been going for years over the Sepultura name. With the band which has Paulo Jr and Andreas Kisser having the name at the moment, which I do find a little odd because the founding members are in Cavalera. Max does onstage declare themselves as the real Sepultura, and get the crowd to chant it too... (Well I have to say I am staying out of this one, and not saying anymore than I have already said. I like elements of both bands... but I have to say I persoanlly prefer the vocals of Max Cavalera to Derrick Green but this is just a personal choice. Because both vocal styles have something special, and merits to it's self.

A mega highlight to the bands set is 'Antichrist', this is so fast paced and intense... with elements of Death Metal, Black Metal and of course thouse Thrash Metal riffs which have a dark Black Metal twist to them. And the breakdown that comes in with chaos and manic precision screaming out from the depths of Hell. This is topped with Max's distinctive tone, which new bands have used like Die Kur with the form of the singer Ays Kura who sings Industrial in a Max Cavalera style. Travis Stone best known for his work with Pig Destroyer, is something else tonight he bleeds for the bands music. And it is quite something special and unique to see him playing with Cavalera.

'Necromancer' continues where 'Antichrist' leaves, with more intensity. But with added stops and starts, and makes you see that the music sounds as relevant as it was when it was first released. They have aded a little something special into the mix, maybe something they couldn't do when the songs when originally recorded or maybe they have just polished it with a thick layer of corpse paint. Because songs like 'Crucifixion' and 'Funeral Rites' sound better than they ever have before. But then the whole show just sounds pitch perfect, there is absolutely nothing I would change. So I am sitting here trying to find something that is wrong, to try and give another side to the coin. But this side does not exist, their was no bad points in the performance. The show was just so perfect, and I was like a kid looking up wondering what I had done to deserve such a treat.

So when it came to the snippets of songs from 'Chaos A.D.', I was thinking this is just a nice topping to the icing of a Birthday cake I had eaten all in one go. I have to say the evening went far to0 quickly, well not for my shoes (Because they were totally trashed, or should I say Thrashed). The shoes, ended up in the bin next day. But I have to say, that is when you know you have had a good time. And sometimes you have to forget you are working, and get involved.

And deep down, I realised I was somewhat of a fan. And the early music of Sepultura really talked to me, and was so much better live than I remember it being. I sometimes think memories fade, because I think it was always this good. But not being able to see it done with the original vocals, it has never been the same for me. Even though I have to say again there has been so great Metal music done from all sides, but sometimes you just want it how it was originally played and I really think Cavalera did that. And for me this alongside with the Pantera show I saw in Berlin, have been two of the best Metal shows I have seen in a long time. So long live, Metal in the format it is meant to be played.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Cavalera - Setlist (Playing the songs of Sepultura)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Curse (On Tape - Intro)
Bestial Devastation
Antichrist
Necromancer
Warriors of Death
Sexta Feira 13
O Fortuna (Carl Orff song)
Morbid Visions
Mayhem
Crucifixion
Show me the Wrath
Funeral Rites
Empire of the Damned
-----------------------------
Inquisition Symphony / Escape to the Void
Refuse/Resist / Territory
Troops of Doom

Check Out! the lyric Video for 'Necromancer' Below...