When you think of heavy metal and the country of Brazil, there is one band that instantly comes to mind and if Sepultura is not that band then what are you 12? Sepultura which in 1989 was made up of Max Cavalera (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Andreas Kisser (Lead Guitar), Igor Cavalera (Drums), and Paulo Jr. (bass) was being considered at the time to be the Brazilian version of Slayer or the second coming of Slayer. Nonetheless, the band signed a deal with Indy upstarts Roadrunner Records (Now a major label) and released their third studio album Beneath The Remains on April 7, 1989 which means it celebrates it’s 30TH anniversary this year. The album was a major breakthrough for the band featuring better production while also giving the band the distinction of being the only band with two albums inducted into the Decibel Hall Of Fame. On Loudwire.com’s 50 Best metal albums of all time list, they ranked the album at 21. There was a bit of controversy surrounding the album cover because originally the band wanted to use Michael Whelan’s cover art Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre which Igor started getting tattooed on his arm. Roadrunner decided that Whelan’s other artwork Nightmare In Red was a better choice and they convinced the band to use it. The funny thing about is that Roadrunner ended up giving the other artwork to Obituary who used it for their album Cause Of Death.
1. Beneath The Remains– The title track opens the album with a very melodic riff that is haunting in nature before it launches in an all out thrash metal blitzkrieg. The track talks about how senseless war is, but our world is plagued with it. Kisser lays down one killer solo on this track. 5/5
2. Inner Self-This track kicks off right where the title track kicked off in this classic thrash sounding track that reminds you of Megadeth, Testament, etc. The track is all about you being you and not allowing the government or anyone else dictate who you are. 5/5
3. Stronger Than Hate-a killer track whose lyrics were written by Kelly Shaefer of Atheist and features background vocals by him and John Tardy of Obituary. The track seems to be about someone who has lost all hope with the way society is and what he is feeling is stronger than hate. 5/5
4. Mass Hypnosis– an awesome track and one of the more famous tracks from the album about how the government breeds hate into the country which causes people to want war and to fight it. 5/5
5. Sarcastic Existence-The tracks opens up with a cool drum riff from Igor before the band joins in. The track’s lyrics are very interesting because they are talking about a man who hates life so much that he wants to end it, but he doesn’t really hate life he just loves death and destruction. 5/5
6. Slaves Of Pain– A very Slayer-esque track that is all about how we are slaves to what the government feeds us whether it’s in print or on the TV, but don’t let it define you. 4.5/5
7. Lobotomy-I hear a little bit of Anthrax in the track that’s mixed with the insane shredding that accompanies it. The lyrics seem to be about someone who has always fought for good, but some how has changed what he does like he’s received a lobotomy. 4.5/5
8. Hungry-a track that is all about all the slaves of the corporate world who are too concerned with masking money that they forget to live life. 4.5/5
9. Primitive Future– The last track on the album is kind of inspirational in a way because it’s all about how you have to forge your own future despite how bleak things can be and you can’t look to the past because that will set you backwards. 5/5
My Final Thoughts– This is truly an awesome album and a very awesome thrash metal record that shows you why people probably believed them to be the new Slayer. Sepultura were truly one of the greats and what a time the late 80’s to early 90’s would be for groove/extreme metal bands. My favorite tracks are the first five plus Primitive Future. That is why I am giving this album 4.8 stars out of five for a final grade.