Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/25/2008
The release of
Inflikted by the
Cavalera Conspiracy -- composed of long-estranged
Sepultura siblings
Max and
Igor Cavalera, plus
Soulfly guitarist
Marc Rizzo and
Gojira bassist
Joe Duplantier -- brings to fruition one of the most anticipated yet most improbable reunions in
heavy metal history...well, almost. Obviously, the entirety of
Sepultura's "classic" lineup (rounded out by guitarist
Andreas Kisser and bassist
Paulo Jr., still, unfortunately, failing to do the hallowed name justice elsewhere) would have been the ultimate dream come true for
metal fans across the globe. But why quibble over details when near-miracles are at hand? Especially when
Inflikted (named after the new band's original moniker) succeeds on so many levels -- not the least of them being that it's neither a belated rehashing of
Sepultura, nor a mere continuation of
Soulfly, despite containing ample recognizable qualities of both bands. After all,
Max is
Max, and as the chief songwriter for all of the above, certain idiosyncrasies simply come with the (pardon the pun)
"Territory" -- who would want it any other way? These include the often simple but universal lyrical concepts (ever laced with unrepentant profanity) driving unadorned anthems of rebellion like
"Hex" and
"Nevertrust"; the innate musical immediacy wed to uncompromising brutality (first achieved on
Sepultura's commercial breakthrough,
Chaos A.D.) seen on first single
"Sanctuary"; the devastating
"The Doom of All Fires," and, oh yes, "UM-DOIS-TRES-QUATRO!," saved for closing blast
"Must Kill." And
Iggor (now with twice as much "G" power!) being
Iggor, the bulk of
Inflikted's material benefits from emphatic percussion, mixing traditionally metallic techniques (like his trademark
death metal kick-drums and super fast hands) with off-kilter beats, liable to rescue a few cuts like
"Terrorize" and
"Ultra-Violent" from otherwise boring fates. As for the other two guys not named
Cavalera, bassist
Duplantier generally just keeps a low sonic profile and his nose out of trouble, but guitarist
Marc Rizzo's contributions to the
Conspiracy really can't be overstated. As has been the case on recent
Soulfly releases, his otherworldly soloing and inventive melodic lines (see memorable showcases in
"Dark Art" and
"Hearts of Darkness") often serve as the creative catalysts responsible for the most inspired moments. So are there any out-and-out surprises, you might ask? Well, not really, but
Inflikted's powerful opening title track does contain unexpected
industrial nuances, which resurface discreetly on later tracks, and the spectacular
"Bloodbrawl" is pretty shocking for the candor with which it addresses all those lost years of familial animosity. Arranged in accordance with the different stages of
Max's and
Igor's feud,
"Bloodbrawl" moves across three very distinct-sounding stages: initially shaped by harsh fighting talk and furious death/thrash violence; followed by a troubled, mid-paced, mid-section contrasting obstinate grooves with tense harmonies and bitter lead runs battling for supremacy before finally culminating in mournful acoustic strummings filled with sorrow and regret. If any one song could lay bare the futility of it all and help heal
Sepultura's broken body, this might be it; but we're getting ahead of ourselves. Best to stick with the present, because, given
Inflikted's overall high standards, the
Cavalera Conspiracy may be around for a while.
~Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
;)
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