Words: Richard Adam
Release Date: 07/02/2020
Record Label: Nuclear Blast
For Fans Of: Mastodon, Kreator, Exodus
Sepultura are back! The fusers of traditional Brazilian culture and high quality metal have released another sharp, hard hitting thrash metal album. When at their best their sound has always been a joy to hear and there is no doubt that they have done it again with striking energy and ferocity.
From start to finish there is an undeniable energy, a rich history of brilliant thrash metal informs this modern take on the genre and powers through with expert poise and power.
Creating a 12 track album that does not lose quality is a challenge no matter who you are, and Quadra never drags on, never falls off. The non-stop onslaught of thrash metal is broken up wonderfully by ‘Guardians of Earth’, sitting as a centerpiece to showing off Sepultura’s massive amounts of talent in every department. For example, Derek Green’s vocals have evolved so much and matured to be able to create his best work yet, showing off his true range without ever sacrificing his hard-hitting edgy style.
It is very easy to draw parallels between Sepultura and Mastodon in terms of structure and melodic tones, creating a feeling of power and grace all at once. Every band member contributes to each fluctuation throughout; Andreas Kisser creating supreme guitar riffs and tones, Eloy is a revelation on drums, Paulo’s bass work is immense and the whole album crescendos through its final three tracks. Started by the title tracks’ introduction to the last ten or so minutes of everything Sepultura, Emmily Barreto’s (Far From Alaska) soothing tones adding to the wondrous thrash metal picture that completes this top-notch album. It’s their best since 2006’s ‘Dante XXI’ and a meaningful step forwards for the band.
If you enjoy thrash metal of any kind, there is something here for you. There are twists, there are turns, there is everything you could want from a band of Sepultura’s prestige. Once living in the shadows of the Cavalera brothers who founded this band – and after a decade of mediocre metal – Sepultura are proving that they are the kings of heavy thrash music and will always be a force to be reckoned with.
Rating: 9/10
Recommended Track: “Isolation”