Knowing and loving Sepultura and Soulfly, and listening to other stuff here and there from South America, I often think that people on that side of the world have incorporated metal in a better way than in any other place in the world. Their anger and energy suit it so much, and come so naturally, that you know they feel they are going to change the world.
In this spirit, the fourth album of the Cavalera brothers is simply revolutionary. The first reason why I say this is that ‘Psychosis‘ seems to create a bridge which is connected to Sepultura’s ‘Chaos A.D.‘. The second is that this album is solid technically and lyrically, like a rock which is unyielding to the laws of nature. The Cavalera brothers find their (bloody) roots with this album, beginning with the cover artwork. Similar to Sepultura’s work, the track titles seem ominous, yet there are cracks where some light gets through; and that is due to the moving execution of the songs. ‘Psychosis‘ is a perfect mixture of Brazilian thrash, pure death and a groovy touch. Iggor’s drumming is a killer, Max’s vocals are better than ever, and Marc’s solos are perfect. The songs, without exaggeration, approach perfection from beginning to end. I didn’t lose interest a single moment, no matter how many times I listened to the whole album.
However, I loved some tracks, ‘Impalement Execution‘, ‘Hellfire‘ and ‘Judas Pariah‘, more than others. Until this track (‘Judas Pariah‘), the album is hellish, unbelievably aggressive, so that you can feel a blackening atmosphere after some point. From the track titles you can understand the nature of the subject matter, which as we have known very well for many years now, are social, critical and to the point, without weird and unknown words and terms. Then comes the track ‘Psychosis‘, which is instrumental. At first you think you hear sounds from the jungle, from a place unreachable, unknown and thus mysterious, which belongs to its creatures. A very atmospheric and compelling track, which sounds like the beginning of something crucial. The last track, ‘Excruciating‘, is pure thrash metal, evoking Sepultura’s early years. In the middle of it we hear the Brazilians making their famous rituals, and voices, a short monologue and then someone singing, maybe in a local, traditional way. It is as if Brazil, through its psychosis, is calling us.
Mary Kalaitzidou