Sepultura

Sepultura (Template:IPA, "grave")<ref name= Barcinski17>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17.</ref> is a Brazilian heavy metal band formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera.<ref name="barcinski16">Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16.</ref> They were a major force in the groove metal, thrash metal, and death metal genres during the late 1980s and early 1990s,<ref name="Dimery" /><ref name="rolling">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and their style has changed over the years, with the band merging its sound with influences and textures of alternative metal, world music, nu metal,<ref name=Dimery>Dimery 2006 pg 782, "Drawing on Brazilian Latin and tribal music, nu-metal, and Sepultura's own thrash/death style, the results were unique"</ref> progressive rock,<ref name=pitchfork2017>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=wonderboxmetal>Template:Cite web</ref> hardcore punk, and industrial metal.<ref name=haagsma1993>Template:Cite web Archived at Sepultura.be Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, pages 89 & 90.</ref> Sepultura is also considered part of the second wave of thrash metal from the late 1980s to early-to-mid-1990s.Template:Refn

Sepultura has released fifteen studio albums to date. The band released their debut album Morbid Visions in 1986, followed a year later by Schizophrenia. The latter caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, which signed Sepultura in 1988.<ref name="Angle 2024-04-03">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Their third album, and Roadrunner debut, Beneath the Remains (1989) was the band's international breakthrough.<ref name="Mills 2023-06-20">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The next three albums – Arise (1991), Chaos A.D. (1993) and Roots (1996) – cemented Sepultura's reputation as one of the most successful heavy metal bands of the 1990s.<ref name="Mills 2023-06-20"/><ref name="Hill 2020-08-21">Template:Cite web</ref> The band has sold over three million units in the United States and almost 20 million worldwide,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> gaining multiple gold and platinum records around the globe, including France,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Australia,<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> Indonesia,<ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, pages 109 & 143.</ref> the United States,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cyprus,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and their native Brazil.<ref name= barcinski143>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 143.</ref>

Sepultura has undergone several membership changes throughout its Template:Age-year career. Max and Igor Cavalera departed in 1997 and 2006, respectively. Their "classic" lineup, lasting nearly a decade, consisted of Max, Igor, bassist Paulo Jr. and guitarist Andreas Kisser.<ref name=classiclineup>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since Igor's departure in 2006, there are no original members left in the band. Although Paulo Jr. had joined Sepultura shortly after its formation in late 1984 and is the longest serving member, he did not perform on any studio album until Chaos A.D.Template:Efn Kisser, who replaced onetime guitarist Jairo Guedz, has appeared on every Sepultura album since Schizophrenia. He also performed as a bassist until Chaos A.D.Template:Efn Their current lineup consists of Paulo Jr., Kisser, frontman Derrick Green (who replaced Max in 1997), and drummer Greyson Nekrutman. In March 2024, after more than four decades of activity, the band began a year-and-a-half-long farewell tour, after which they will disband.<ref name=finaltour>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=firstshow2024/>

History

Formation, Bestial Devastation and Morbid Visions (1984–1986)

Sepultura was formed in 1984 in Belo Horizonte<ref name="barcinski16"/> by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, the sons of model Vânia, and well-to-do Italian diplomat Graciliano, whose death left the family in financial ruin.<ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 14.</ref> Graciliano's passing deeply affected his sons, inspiring them to form a band after Max heard Black Sabbath's 1972 album Vol. 4 the very same day.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> They chose the name Sepultura, the Portuguese word for "grave", when Max translated the lyrics of the Motörhead song "Dancing on Your Grave".<ref name="Barcinski17"/> The brothers were previously in a cover band.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The brothers' early influences included Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, V8, Terveet Kädet, Rattus, and Discharge.<ref name="barcinski16"/> They would travel to a record shop in São Paulo that mixed tapes of then-latest records by American bands.<ref name="Phoenix Times 1993-05-12">Template:Cite news</ref> Their listening habits changed after they were introduced to Venom. As Igor Cavalera put it:

The Cavalera brothers started listening to more extreme metal bands such as Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, and Exciter.<ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 26.</ref> They were also influenced by Brazilian metal bands like Stress, Sagrado Inferno, and Dorsal Atlântica. By 1984, they had dropped out of school.<ref name="Phoenix Times 1993-05-12"/> After several early membership changes, Sepultura established a stable lineup of Max on guitar, Igor on drums, lead vocalist Wagner Lamounier, and bassist Paulo Jr.<ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 21.</ref> Lamounier departed in March 1985 and became the leader of pioneering Brazilian black metal band Sarcófago. Max took over the vocal duties and Jairo Guedz joined the band as lead guitarist.<ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 28.</ref>

After a year of performing, Sepultura signed with Cogumelo Records in 1985. Later that year, they released Bestial Devastation, a split EP with Brazilian band Overdose. It was recorded and self-produced in just two days. The band recorded their first full-length album, Morbid Visions, in August 1986. It contained their first hit, "Troops of Doom", which gained some media attention. The band relocated to São Paulo.<ref name="AllMusic Bio"/>

Schizophrenia, Beneath the Remains and Arise (1987–1992)

File:Sepultura in performance (Lisboa 2004).jpg

Andreas Kisser has been the lead guitarist of Sepultura since 1987. His arrival provided the group with a more technical experience.

In early 1987, Guedz quit the band and was replaced by São Paulo-based guitarist Andreas Kisser.<ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 49.</ref> They released their second studio album, and debut with Kisser, Schizophrenia, in October of that year. The album reflected a change towards a thrash metal-oriented sound while retaining the death metal elements of Morbid Visions. Schizophrenia displayed improved production and performance, becoming a minor critical sensation and sought-after import in Europe and North America. The band sent tapes to the United States that made radio playlists during a time when they were struggling to book shows as club owners were wary of their style.<ref name="Phoenix Times 1993-05-12"/> Sepultura gained attention from Roadrunner Records, who signed them in the spring of 1988 and released Schizophrenia internationally before seeing the band perform in person.<ref name="AllMusic Bio"/><ref name="Angle 2024-04-03"/><ref name="Colon 1991-08-07">Template:Cite news</ref> Max Cavalera recalled to Revolver magazine, "We were finally going to get a real label, real producer, real studio. Things were happening...and it was up to us to write the best material possible. And I think that charged everybody up and we went into the jam room with an attitude of let's not fuck around. This is our shot. You only get so many shots in this life, and you gotta make it count."<ref name="Angle 2024-04-03"/>

During a May 2018 interview, Kisser noted that Sepultura would not have been possible without family support, not only from his own family, but also from the families of Max and Igor, and Paulo Jr.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sepultura's third studio album, Beneath the Remains, was released in April 1989. The album was recorded towards the end of 1988 in a rustic studio in Rio de Janeiro. The band communicated through translators with American producer Scott Burns.<ref name="Phoenix Times 1993-05-12"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It was an immediate success and became known as a classic on the order of Slayer's Reign in Blood.<ref name="Colon 1991-08-07"/> Terrorizer magazine hailed it as one of the all-time top 20 thrash metal albums,<ref>Terrorizer No. 109 (2003), page 35 (author unknown)</ref> as well as gaining a place in their all-time top 40 death metal records.<ref name= terrorizer151>Hinchliffe 2006, page 54</ref> AllMusic gave the album 4.5 stars out of 5 and said, "The complete absence of filler here makes this one of the most essential death/thrash metal albums of all time."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A long European and American tour furthered the band's reputation, although they were still very limited English speakers. Sepultura's first live dates outside of Brazil included opening for Sodom on their Agent Orange tour in Europe. Sepultura's first U.S. show followed, held on October 31, 1989 at the Ritz in New York City, opening for King Diamond.<ref name="metallipromo">Template:Cite webTemplate:Better source needed</ref> The band filmed its first music video for the song "Inner Self", which received considerable airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball, giving Sepultura their first exposure in North America.<ref name="MTV HBB">Template:Cite web</ref> Touring in support of Beneath the Remains continued throughout most of 1990, including three shows in Brazil with Napalm Death, European dates with Mordred, and a North American tour with Obituary and Sadus.<ref name=metallipromo/> Template:Quote box In January 1991, Sepultura played for more than 100,000 people at the Rock in Rio II festival. The band relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1990, obtained new management, and recorded their fourth studio album, Arise, at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida.<ref name="Phoenix Times 1993-05-12"/> By the time the album was released in March 1991, the band had become one of the most critically praised thrash/death metal bands of the time. The first single, "Dead Embryonic Cells", was a success, and the title track gained additional attention when MTV banned its video due to its apocalyptic religious imagery. It did, however, get some airplay on Headbangers Ball as did the music videos for "Dead Embryonic Cells" and "Desperate Cry".<ref name="MTV HBB"/> Arise was critically acclaimed and the band's first to enter the US chart, reaching No. 119 on the Billboard 200.<ref>Template:Cite web Template:Dead link</ref>

Sepultura toured relentlessly in support of Arise throughout 1991 and 1992; its touring cycle began in May 1991 with a European trek with Sacred Reich and Heathen, followed by the New Titans on the Bloc tour in North America that included support from Sacred Reich, Napalm Death and Sick of It All.<ref name="metallipromo3">Template:Cite web</ref> They also played with several other bands, including Slayer, Testament, Motörhead, Kreator, White Zombie, Type O Negative, and Fudge Tunnel, and alongside Alice in Chains, Sepultura supported Ozzy Osbourne on the latter's tour for No More Tears.<ref name=metallipromo/> Max Cavalera married the band's manager Gloria Bujnowski during this period.<ref name="AllMusic Bio"/> The Arise tour concluded in December 1992 with a North American tour, where the band (along with Helmet) supported Ministry on their Psalm 69 tour.<ref name=metallipromo/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Chaos A.D., Nailbomb and Roots (1993–1996)

Sepultura's fifth album, Chaos A.D., was released in September 1993. Supported by the singles "Refuse/Resist", "Territory" and "Slave New World", it was their only album to be released in North America by Epic Records, and the first of two albums to be certified gold by the RIAA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It departed from death metal,<ref>Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 131.</ref> adding elements of groove metal,<ref name="Sound of the Beast">Template:Citation</ref> industrial, hardcore punk,<ref name="haagsma1993" /> and thrash metal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> AllMusic gave the album 4.5 stars out of 5 and wrote that, "Chaos A.D. ranks as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while Ultimate Guitar claimed it to be the album that "elevated Sepultura to even greater heights" and called it "an integral part of the decade's so-called 'groove metal' boom movement."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band embarked on a year-and-a-half-long tour in support of Chaos A.D., headlining a European run with Paradise Lost, followed by a North American tour with Fudge Tunnel, Fear Factory and Clutch.<ref name=metallipromo/> They were one of the supporting acts (along with Biohazard and Prong) for Pantera's Far Beyond Driven tour in North America,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> opened for the Ramones in South America and toured Australia and New Zealand with Sacred Reich. By the time the Chaos A.D. tour ended in November 1994,<ref name=metallipromo/> Sepultura was one of the most successful heavy metal bands of the day.<ref name="Hill 2020-08-21"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Also in 1994, Max and Igor formed Nailbomb with Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel. They released an industrial-oriented album, Point Blank, the same year. The group performed its only proper show for nearly two decades at Dynamo Open Air in 1995, which was released as a live album, Proud to Commit Commercial Suicide. Nailbomb disbanded shortly afterward.

Sepultura's sound continued changing with their sixth album, Roots, released in February 1996. The band experimented with Brazil's indigenous music, and adopted a slower, down-tuned sound. The album was hailedTemplate:By whom as a modern-day heavy metal classic and a major influence on the then-nascent nu metal scene. AllMusic gave it a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 and said, "Roots consolidates Sepultura's position as perhaps the most distinctive, original heavy metal band of the 1990s."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also in 1996, Sepultura performed "War (Guerra)" for the AIDS benefit album Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin, produced by the Red Hot Organization.

Departure of Max Cavalera, arrival of Derrick Green and Against (1996–2000)

In August 1996, Sepultura played on the Castle Donington Monsters of Rock main stage with Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Paradise Lost, Type O Negative, Biohazard, and Fear Factory. The band performed as a three-piece with Andreas Kisser on lead vocals after Max Cavalera left the concert site earlier in the day upon learning of his stepson Dana Wells' death in a car accident. After Wells' funeral, Max returned and continued to tour with Sepultura. A few months after Wells' death, the band met with Max and said they wanted to fire their manager Gloria Bujnowski, Max's wife and Dana's mother, and find new management. Their reasoning was that Bujnowski was giving Max preferential treatment while neglecting the rest of the band. Max, still coming to terms with Wells' death, felt betrayed and quit the band.<ref name="AllMusic Bio"/> Cavalera's final performance with Sepultura was at the Brixton Academy in England on December 16, 1996.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Max's split with Sepultura was publicly announced in January 1997, citing his differences with the remaining members of the band and their refusal to renew a management contract with Bujnowski as factors.<ref name="Max departure">Template:Multiref</ref>

File:Sepultura With Full Force 2014 03.jpg

Derrick Green has been the singer of Sepultura since 1997, when he replaced Max Cavalera, who had left the band in January of that year.

Following Cavalera's departure, the remaining members remained a three-piece for eight months and worked on new material, with Kisser on vocals.<ref name="SEPGREENK">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In November 1997, the band announced that they were searching for a new vocalist.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Among those who auditioned were Chuck Billy of Testament, Phil Demmel of Machine Head and Vio-lence, Marc Grewe of Morgoth, Jorge Rosado of Merauder, and a then-unknown singer Jason "Gong" Jones.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> American musician Derrick Green was selected as the new frontman.<ref name="SEPGREENK" /> Sepultura played their first show with Green to a handful of fan club members at their rehearsal space in Brazil in February 1998.<ref name="SEPGREENK" /> The band played their first public show under the pseudonym "Troops of Doom" on July 8, 1998 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, where they were supported by Human Waste Project, Tura Satana and Spineshank.<ref name="SEPOFDOOM">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The first album with the new lineup was Against, released in October 1998. The album was critically and commercially less successful than previous albums and sold considerably fewer copies than the self-titled debut album by Max Cavalera's then-new band Soulfly.<ref name="AllMusic Bio">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a retrospective review, AllMusic gave the album 3 stars out of 5, stating that "there are enough flashes of the old Sepultura brilliance to suggest that great things are still to come."

Nation and Roorback (2001–2005)

Sepultura's eighth album, Nation (2001), sold poorly. It would be their last with Roadrunner Records. AllMusic gave the album 3 stars out of 5 and said, "As Green scrapes the lining of his vocal chords through the brash, impassioned tracks, he's singing about more than just 'one nation, Sepulnation'; he's suggesting something bigger, something worth shouting about and fighting for." In an interview, Derrick Green said, "Every song will be related to the idea of building this nation. We will have our own flags, our own anthem."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Max Cavalera's last live show with Sepultura, Under a Pale Grey Sky, was released in 2002 by Roadrunner Records.

After recording an EP of covers, Revolusongs (2002), the band released their ninth studio album, Roorback, in 2003. Despite receiving greater critical acclaim than its predecessors, sales remained low. It was their first album with SPV Records. AllMusic gave the album 4 stars out of 5 and said, "If there are still any lingering doubts about the Green/Sepultura match, 2003's excellent Roorback should put them to rest for good. Green is passionate and focused throughout the album — he has no problem going that extra mile — and the writing is consistently strong."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2005, the band played in the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival. In November of that year, a live double DVD/double CD, Live in São Paulo, was released. This was the first official live album by the band.

Dante XXI, departure of Igor Cavalera, and A-Lex (2006–2010)

File:Metalmania 2007 - Sepultura 01.jpg

Sepultura performing in Poland, 2007

Sepultura's tenth studio album, Dante XXI, was released on March 14, 2006. It is a concept album based on Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy. Music videos were released for the songs "Convicted in Life" and "Ostia". AllMusic gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5 and said that, "Overall, Dante XXI is easily one of Sepultura's strongest releases to feature Green on vocals."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In a 2007 interview with Revolver magazine, Max Cavalera stated that he and Igor, both of whom had recently reconciled after a near decade-long feud, would reunite with the original Sepultura lineup. There were rumors that the reunited lineup would play on the main stage at Ozzfest 2007. However, Kisser said there would be no reunion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Instead, Igor Cavalera left Sepultura after the release of Dante XXI and was replaced by Brazilian drummer Jean Dolabella, leaving the band without any original members. After leaving Sepultura, Igor and Max formed Cavalera Conspiracy.

The band was a featured musical guest at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2008 on November 13. They performed a cover of "The Girl from Ipanema", and "We've Lost You" from the album A-Lex.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 9th annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas and aired on Univision.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sepultura also appeared in a successful ad campaign for Volkswagen motors commercial that aired nationally throughout Brazil in 2008. The spot said that "it's the first time you've seen Sepultura like this. And a Sedan like this one too".<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> The Volkswagen TV spot shows Sepultura playing bossa nova, as opposed to its heavy metal style, to say that "you never saw something like this, as you never saw a car like the new Voyage."Template:Cn

Sepultura released A-Lex on January 26, 2009. This was the first Sepultura album to include neither Cavalera brother, with bassist Paulo Jr. the sole remaining member from the band's debut album. A-Lex is a concept album based on the book A Clockwork Orange. The album was recorded at Trama Studios in São Paulo, Brazil, and produced by Stanley Soares. AllMusic gave the album 4 stars out of 5 and said, "Personnel changes can have a very negative effect on a band, but Sepultura have maintained their vitality all these years – and that vitality is alive and well on the superb A-Lex."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the same year, Andreas Kisser contributed his recipe for "Churrasco in Soy Sauce" to Hellbent for Cooking: The Heavy Metal Cookbook, stating that he prefers his meat "medium-rare".<ref name="HFC">Template:Cite book</ref> Sepultura supported Metallica on January 30 and 31, 2010, at the Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo. The two concerts were attended by 100,000 people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band filmed a concert DVD in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sepultura played at Kucukciftlik Park, Istanbul, on April 27, 2010. On August 8, 2010, they played at the Hevy Music Festival near Folkestone.

Kairos and The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart (2010–2015)

File:20140613-001-Nova Rock 2014-Sepultura-Eloy Casagrande.JPG

Drummer Eloy Casagrande in 2014. Casagrande was the drummer of Sepultura from 2011 to 2024.

On July 6, 2010, it was announced that Sepultura signed with Nuclear Blast Records, and would release their first album for the label in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band confirmed there would be no reunion of the classic lineup.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By the end of 2010, the band began writing new material and entered the studio to record their 12th album with producer Roy Z.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 1, 2011, Sepultura completed recording the album, titled Kairos and released in June 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The album includes cover versions of Ministry's "Just One Fix" and The Prodigy's "Firestarter", available as bonus tracks on various special-edition releases.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sepultura played on the Kairos World Tour and at Wacken Open Air 2011. Drummer Jean Dolabella left the band and was replaced by Eloy Casagrande in November 2011, who had previously played in Gloria and Andre Matos' solo band. In November and December 2011, Sepultura participated in the Thrashfest Classics tour alongside thrash metal bands like Exodus, Destruction, Heathen and Mortal Sin.

In May 2012, guitarist Andreas Kisser told Metal Underground that Sepultura would soon "start working on something new with Eloy" and see if they could "get ready for new music early next year."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview at England's Bloodstock Open Air on August 10, 2012, Kisser revealed that Sepultura would be filming a live DVD with the French percussive group Les Tambours du Bronx. He also revealed that the band was "already thinking about new ideas" for their next album and would "have something new going on" in 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On December 10, 2012, producer Ross Robinson, who produced Sepultura's Roots album, tweeted: "Oh, didn't mention.. Spoke to Andreas, it's on. My vision, smoke Roots", suggesting he would be producing the band's next album. This was later confirmed, as well as an announcement that it would be co-produced by Steve Evetts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo made a guest appearance on the album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 25, 2013, it was announced that author Jason Korolenko was working on Relentless – 30 Years of Sepultura, which is described in a press release as "the only book-length biography to cover the band's entire 30-year career." Relentless was published on October 8, 2014, in Poland under the title Brazylijska Furia, and the English language edition was published via Rocket 88 on December 4, 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Brazilian edition, titled Relentless – 30 Anos de Sepultura, was scheduled for publication via Benvira in early 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The French language edition of Relentless was published in France on October 19, 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On July 19, 2013, it was revealed that the title of the band's thirteenth album was The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart. In September 2013, they performed at Rock in Rio with Brazilian rock/MPB artist Zé Ramalho – this lineup was named "Zépultura", a portmanteau of both artists' names.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Machine Messiah and Quadra (2016–2023)

After more than two years of touring in support of The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sepultura entered the studio in mid-2016 to begin recording their fourteenth studio album, with Jens Bogren as the producer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The resulting album, Machine Messiah, was released on January 13, 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sepultura promoted the album with a series of world tours, including supporting Kreator on their Gods of Violence tour in Europe in February–March 2017,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and along with Prong, they supported Testament on the latter's Brotherhood of the Snake tour in North America in April–May 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band toured Europe in February–March 2018 with Obscura, Goatwhore and Fit for an Autopsy,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Australia in May with Death Angel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The first official Sepultura documentary, Sepultura Endurance, premiered in May 2017 and was released on June 17.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Max and Igor declined to be interviewed for the documentary film and refused to allow early material of the band to be used.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In an August 2018 interview at Wacken Open Air, Kisser confirmed that Sepultura had begun the songwriting process of their fifteenth studio album,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and stated later that month that it would not be released before 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band began recording the album, again with producer Bogren, in August 2019 for a tentative February 2020 release.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2019, during their performance at Rock in Rio 8, the band announced the name and revealed the cover for their fifteenth studio album, Quadra. They debuted lead single "Isolation", also the opening track for the album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 8, they released the studio version of "Isolation" and announced that Quadra would be released on February 7, 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sepultura was not able to tour or play any shows in support of Quadra for over two years after its release. They played their first show in two years at Circo Voador in Rio de Janeiro on February 12, 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band promoted Quadra by touring North America with Sacred Reich, Crowbar and Art of Shock, and Europe with Sacred Reich and Crowbar; due to COVID-19, the tours had been rescheduled to two years from March and April 2020 and a year from the fall of 2021 respectively.<ref>Template:Multiref2</ref> Drummer Bruno Valverde of Angra filled in for Eloy Casagrande on the last three dates of the US tour, as the latter could not perform due to a leg injury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to a "family emergency", Kisser was temporarily replaced by Jean Patton of Project46 on the summer 2022 European tour;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the reason behind this "family emergency" was Kisser's wife Patricia's battle with colon cancer. She died on July 3.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band co-headlined the Klash of the Titans tour in North America with Kreator during the spring of 2023, with Death Angel and SpiritWorld as supporting acts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sepultura released a quarantine collaboration album on August 13, 2021, titled SepulQuarta, including contributions by members of Megadeth, Testament, Anthrax, System of a Down, Trivium and Sacred Reich.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In a July 2022 interview, frontman Derrick Green confirmed that Sepultura would begin working on their next studio album after the end of the Quadra tour, in 2024 at the earliest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kisser indicated that the band was not expected to release another studio album before at least 2025 or for "a few years".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

40th anniversary, farewell tour and upcoming EP (2023–present)

File:Sepultura Live at Olinda Classic Hall 2024 02.jpg

Sepultura performing in 2024

In August 2023, Kisser revealed that Sepultura would celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024 with a "special tour" that would not include Max and Igor Cavalera,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as a live album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On December 8, 2023, Sepultura announced that they would embark on a farewell tour in 2024 in celebration of their 40th anniversary.<ref name=finaltour/> It was set to run for 18 months, but Kisser has since stated that the tour will end around late 2026.<ref name=tour2026/><ref name=tour2026-2/><ref name=disband2024>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When asked about the band "departing via a conscious and planned death on this farewell tour", Kisser explained, "There were a few factors, including the fortieth anniversary. Surviving the pandemic gave us new perspective, and then two years ago my wife passed away from cancer. It made me realise that dying can bring new possibilities for life. Live in the present, there might not be a tomorrow."<ref name=Loudersound24>Template:Cite web</ref> The first show of the tour took place at the Arena Hall in Belo Horizonte on March 1, 2024.<ref name=firstshow2024>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kisser has said that he would be open to reuniting with former members of the band (particularly the Cavalera brothers) for one final show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Although initially open to reuniting with Sepultura,<ref name=classiclineup/> Max Cavalera ruled out the possibility in a July 2024 interview with Metal Injection, explaining, "The more the time passes by, the more I feel that I don't need to [reunite with Sepultura]. Like I said, the real reunion is between myself and Igor, and I did that. It's pure magic and amazing what we're doing right now. You kind of have to realise if we end up doing a Sepultura reunion, it's almost like we can't go back to the Cavalera thing, you know? It won't really make sense."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Three days before the farewell tour began, it was announced that Casagrande quit the band on February 6, 2024, to join "another project",<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> later revealed to be Slipknot.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He later stated that one of the reasons he left Sepultura was because he "didn't want to stop playing drums at the age of 33."<ref name=disband2024/> Casagrande was replaced by former Suicidal Tendencies drummer Greyson Nekrutman.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In November 2024, Kisser revealed that Sepultura would release an EP with four new songs.<ref name=Loudersound24/> Paulo Jr. confirmed in August 2025 the band has "done some new recording with Greyson", and Kisser announced the same month that their new EP will be released in 2026.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Musical style, influences, and legacy

Sepultura has been influenced by rock, heavy metal and hard rock bands such as Yes, Rush, Queen, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Venom, Celtic Frost, Twisted Sister, Triumph, Whitesnake and Corrosion of Conformity, thrash metal bands Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Overkill, Testament, Anthrax, Kreator, Sodom, Destruction and Sacrifice, and death metal bands Possessed and Death. They were also influenced by punk bands such as the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, Terveet Kädet, Rattus, Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys, Kaaos, Discharge, Stormtroopers of Death, Amebix, Sick of It All, Agnostic Front, the Cro-Mags, Gorilla Biscuits and New Model Army, as well as early U2.<ref name="Angle 2024-04-03" /><ref name="AllMusic Bio" /><ref>Template:Multiref2</ref> Kisser has affirmed that "without Slayer, Sepultura would never be possible."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sepultura's music comes in a wide range of heavy metal musical styles. The band has been described mainly as thrash metal and death metal,<ref name=rolling/><ref>Template:Multiref2</ref> and considered one of the primary inventors of the latter genre.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Another genre the band has been categorized under is groove metal.<ref name=pop>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=about>Best Sepultura Albums by Dan Marsicano - Retrieved on 11/20/2014 Template:Webarchive</ref> The band later on experimented with other genres, including hardcore punk, industrial,<ref name=haagsma1993/> alternative metal,<ref name=haagsma1993/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> progressive,<ref name=pitchfork2017/><ref name=wonderboxmetal/> world music,<ref name=haagsma1993/><ref name=pop/><ref name=about/> and nu metal.<ref name=Dimery/> The band's first EP Bestial Devastation and debut album Morbid Visions were influenced by first-wave black metal acts such as Venom and Celtic Frost. Those records have been referred to as blackened death metal. Sepultura put more emphasis on thrash metal starting with Schizophrenia, and by Beneath the Remains and Arise, had abandoned black metal entirely.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Chaos A.D. saw the band abandon much of their thrash and death metal influences in favor of an experimental sound influenced by industrial music, groove metal and hardcore punk.<ref name=haagsma1993/><ref name="Sound of the Beast" />

Elements of Latin music, samba and Brazilian folk and tribal music have been incorporated into Sepultura's metal style, particularly on Roots. The album was partly recorded with the indigenous Xavante tribe in Mato Grosso, and incorporates percussion, rhythms, chanting and lyrical themes inspired by the collaboration.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While Roots continued in the same groove metal vein from Chaos A.D., it was Sepultura's first foray into nu metal, influenced by bands such as Korn and Deftones.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Starting with Dante XXI, the band abandoned the nu metal sound of their previous four albums in favor of a return to thrash and death metal,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while retaining elements of groove metal and including portions of progressive metal.<ref name=pitchfork2017/><ref name=wonderboxmetal/>

Looking back on the band's career in a 2016 article on Max and Igor Cavalera's retrospective Return to Roots tour (in commemoration of the album's 20th anniversary), Nashville Scene contributor Saby Reyes-Kulkarni observed that, "Before Chaos A.D., the overwhelming majority of metal had a 'white' feel to it. Sepultura changed that forever. And with Roots, the band went a step further, asserting once and for all that the genre can accommodate native stylings from any culture, much like jazz had done for decades prior."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

MTV called Sepultura the most successful Brazilian heavy metal band in history and "perhaps the most important heavy metal band of the '90s."<ref name="AllMusic Bio" /> In 1993, Robert Baird of Phoenix New Times wrote that the band played "machine-gun-tempo mayhem" and that the members "love to attack organized religion and repressive government."<ref name="Phoenix Times 1993-05-12" />

Many bands have cited Sepultura as an influence or inspiration to their music, including Korn,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Limp Bizkit,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Slipknot,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pantera,<ref name="Daniels, 2013">Template:Cite book</ref> Machine Head,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cannibal Corpse,<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> Hatebreed, Alien Weaponry, Krisiun, Gojira, Xibalba, Vein, Toxic Holocaust, Code Orange, Puya, Nails,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kittie,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Children of Bodom,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Power Trip,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Atreyu,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Evile,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Havok,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pestilence,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Incantation,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Grave.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Band members

Current

• Paulo Jr. – bass (1984–present, only live until 1992), backing vocals (1984–present); percussion (1993–1997)
• Andreas Kisser – lead guitar, backing vocals (1987–present); lead vocals (1996, 1997); bass (1987–1991, only in studio); rhythm guitar (1996–present)
• Derrick Green – lead vocals (1997–present); percussion (2005–present); additional rhythm guitar (1998–2005)
• Greyson Nekrutman – drums, percussion (2024–present)

Discography

• Morbid Visions (1986)
• Schizophrenia (1987)
• Beneath the Remains (1989)
• Arise (1991)
• Chaos A.D. (1993)
• Roots (1996)
• Against (1998)
• Nation (2001)
• Roorback (2003)
• Dante XXI (2006)
• A-Lex (2009)
• Kairos (2011)
• The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart (2013)
• Machine Messiah (2017)
• Quadra (2020)

Bibliography

• Anonymous (May 2003). Beneath the Remains. In: A Megaton Hit Parade: The All-Time Thrash Top 20. Terrorizer No. 109, page 35.
• Barcinski, André & Gomes, Silvio (1999). Sepultura: Toda a História. São Paulo: Ed. 34. Template:ISBN. Template:LCCN. Template:OCLC. Template:OL.
• Colmatti, Andréa (1997). Sepultura: Igor Cavalera. Modern Drummer Brasil, 6, 18–26, 28–30.
• Hinchliffe, James (December 2006). Beneath the Remains. In: Death Metal|The DM Top 40. Terrorizer No. 151, page 54.
• Lemos, Anamaria (1993). Caos Desencanado. Bizz, 98, 40–45.
• Schwarz, Paul (2005). Morbid Visions. In: The First Wave. Terrorizer, 128, 42.
• Sepultura (1996). Roots. [CD]. New York, NY: Roadrunner Records. The 25th Anniversary Series (2-CD Reissue, 2005).
• Template:Cite book

External links

• Template:Official website
• Template:AllMusic
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