Cavalera – Bestial Devastation / Morbid Visions
Cavalera – Bestial Devastation / Morbid Visions
Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 14/07/23
Running Time: Bestial Devastation: 20:00 / Morbid Visions: 37:00
Review by Rory Bentley
8/10
Sepultura’s four album run of “Beneath the Remains”, “Arise”, “Chaos A.D.” and “Roots” presents a strong case for being the greatest hot streak in Metal history. The quality, intensity and level of musical growth across these records was so staggering that their legacy as all-time greats was instantly cemented by the time the original line-up went their separate ways in 1996. What isn’t always as revered is the often-overlooked debut E.P. “Bestial Devastation” and the debut full length “Morbid Visions” (even sophomore release “Schizophrenia” has comfortable cult-classic status). It is hard to overstate the significance of a band coming out of Brazil and throwing their hat in the ring at the height of Thrash, as in pre-internet days it was incredibly difficult for bands outside the cultural hotbeds of the UK and America to get any media coverage of note. The fact that the band was able to make an instant impact on the underground is testament to the quality of the music on these first two releases. This was Death-Metal infused Thrash with a blistering level of intensity, bolstered by the manic, octopus-armed drumming of Igor Cavalera, who even prior to fully realising his signature hybrid sound, brought a Latin swing to his otherwise savage playing.
The production limitations of the time, along with the giant evolutionary leaps on future releases are the main factors behind these two joints falling by the wayside to all but the most steadfast Metal aficionados and superfans. Nerds like me, essentially. Now in 2023 the Cavalera brothers have decided to re-record these foundational cuts under the family name with a brand-new shiny production job and the musical chops and instincts they have since picked up while changing the face of Metal in the ensuing years. But is this trip down memory lane worth your time? Yes. Oh you want me to elaborate? Fine, let’s do this…
I’m not a huge believer in bands re-recording their studio albums in general. In fact, I’m not always in favour of a remix or remaster job. An album is a moment in time captured forever; sanding off the rough edges, bum notes and production limitations can often strip classic records of the character and humanity that made them so special in the first place. You all think you want a remixed “…And Justice For All” with audible bass and more heft to the drums, but I guarantee the end result wouldn’t quite hit the same. With this in mind, these Cavalera re-recordings are best viewed as companion pieces and re-imaginings of the original work rather than replacements.
While the raw lo-fi chaos of the originals isn’t there anymore, there’s no denying that these new versions sound absolutely thunderous. Best enjoyed as standalone records in their own right, both releases are good enough to go toe to toe with the finest Blackened Thrash releases of the last few years. Ignor’s drums sound absolutely colossal as he batters his way through ‘Morbid Visions’, the slick production job bringing out every subtle fill and sprinkling of flair that he invests into the performance in a manner in which the more feral original incarnations aren’t able to. Likewise, Max’s rhythm guitar is still one of the most distinctive and powerful tones in all of Metal and to hear it applied to songs that predate him solidifying this iconic sound shows both the quality of the original material and the injection of adrenaline that modern day Max is able to give a song like the scintillating ‘Troops of Doom’.
It’s been a bit of a weird trip for me listening to these re-recordings as it’s made me go back to the originals and reappraise them as well. When I first got into the band, these scrappy lo-fi cuts were borderline unlistenable to my teenage ears, however years of listening to Hardcore that sounds like it’s been recorded in the footwell of a Nissan Micra and Darkthrone albums that sound like Darkthrone albums have made this approach incredibly appealing to my current, more grizzled tastes. The re-recordings are undoubtedly a sonic and technical improvement – ‘Necromancer’ in particular finds its definitive form in 2023 – however I now massively prefer the grimy original versions. Essentially by tracking these formative releases again the Cavalera brothers have allowed us all to have our cake and eat it. It will make new converts with its punchy modern-day sheen and perhaps ensure that the old versions get a little more love too. All in all, a more than worthwhile project – plus the new artwork on these things is lit!
CAVALERA- Morbid Visions (Official Video)
TRACKLISTING:
Bestial Devastation
01. The Curse
02. Bestial Devastation
03. Antichrist
04. Necromancer
05. Warriors of Death
06. Sex Feira 13
Morbid Visions
01. Morbid Visions
02. Mayhem
03. Troops Of Doom
04. War
05. Crucifixion
06. Show Me The Wrath
07. Funeral Rites
08. Empire Of The Damned
09. Burn The Dead
LINE-UP:
Max Cavalera- Guitar, Vocals
Igor Cavalera- Drums and Percussion
LINKS:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cavaleraconspiracy
Twitter – https://twitter.com/cavconspiracy
Instagram – https://instagram.com/cavaleraconspiracy
Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/7F1K4WlMshx23V2TTz4KwV
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
