In 1989, the Brazilian band led by the Cavalera brothers introduced themselves to the world with “Beneath The Remains,” elevating Latin America as a significant player in Thrash Metal. This album showcased that the genre wasn’t exclusive to the United States and Germany, proving that Brazil had much to offer.
This album catapulted the band, positioning them as one of the greats of Thrash, later coinciding on dates with bands of the caliber of Slayer, Megadeth, among others.
What can we hear?
Simply put, relentless fury and speed with an unceasing Thrash rhythm, a sound directly drawn from purgatory with a quality that commands respect. The collaboration with Roadrunner Records undoubtedly benefited this work. Despite a small budget, the band achieved a high-quality recording, giving them a production level that was lacking in their previous two albums. While those albums were excellent, the poor recording quality hindered their enjoyability compared to “Beneath The Remains.”
Igor Cavalera’s drumming stands out with impressive strength, as if his intention were to destroy the drumheads with every song, especially in the fast-paced rhythms a feat later emulated by the current drummer, Eloy Casagrande (Slipknot).
The album features influences from major Thrash bands such as Metallica in the outro of “Inner Self” and Anthrax in their early albums, evident in the speed of songs like “Beneath The Remains.” Megadeth‘s technical and melodic riffs are mirrored in tracks like “Stronger Than Hate,” and the influence of Slayer is present throughout the entire album. Sepultura managed to draw the best from these giants to consolidate their unique style.
A power trio in the studio:
One of the most impressive aspects of this album is that it’s recorded solely by three band members: Andreas Kisser on lead guitar and bass, Igor Cavalera on drums, and Max Cavalera on rhythm guitar and bass. Much of the magic lies in the speed of the guitars, relentless in their fast strumming, reminiscent of iconic rhythm guitarists like James Hetfield of Metallica or Jeff Waters of Annihilator.
Andreas Kisser’s guitar solos are dynamic, at times showcasing Slayer-like speed and, at other times, applying his musical knowledge to create unconventional melodies, venturing into non-conventional tonalities and occasionally drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern music.
The full force of the double bass pedal
Igor Cavalera’s use of the double bass pedal. Audible and with intriguing patterns, it adds a weighty dimension to the album, particularly evident in “Sarcastic Existence.”
Max Cavalera's powerful voice:
Lastly, we must mention Max Cavalera’s tremendous vocals. Compared to the famous American Big 4 (Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer), he is the only vocalist to break into brutal guttural tones without resorting to outright screaming, effectively conveying the intensity of each lyric.
“Beneath The Remains” is an essential album that placed Sepultura in a highly respected position, securing its place in history as an exceptional and top-tier work.
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