STEINMETAL (6/10)

It is not about fallen idols, nothing that concerns heavily icons falling from grace. I have always known, and sometimes believed though I at times I really wish I wasn't, that being musically evolved can get any artist to different places. Either heaven or hell, who knows, maybe it's all about fate, yet coming to think of it, it depends on decisions. Since the early days of my Metal years, I have always perceived the Brazilian Thrash Metal giants SEPULTURA as an iconic band that submerged itself with early Death Metal along with SLAYERish Thrash for a deadly combination of both skill and energy. Their manipulation of both Metal's forbidden evil, issued classics that made an impact.

Regretfully, and yes I came to be quite extreme on that notion, it all ended after the "Arise" release while "Chaos A.D." resembled as a swansong of a dying hope. Can't really blame Max Cavalera or Paulo Jr. or Andreas Kisser for the band's ruination process into Nu Metal and later on to Groove swarmed with cheap American Hardcore, but what happened afterwards, sadly, was an identity quest in a false pretense. While slowly retaining their old Thrash sense, hitherto confined to the modern day Hardcorish emblem, became stranger than fiction, a mutation of something that is dark, unexplained, somewhat mysterious, yet far than being impressive. "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart", via Nuclear Blast Records, is apparently another foot in the grave, still humping on recent trends, losing its essence in a slow rate.
Throughout "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" there is a dark turmoil, something strange and quite creepy that the band is trying to manifest, sending secret messages of social matters. Quite interesting as it would seem, yet if only I could distinguish much from Derrick Green's mumblings it would have been better. It is not because that Green lost his ability to sing (or scream), but due to the fact that his vocal production came out utterly crappy, as if produced in a deep dark sewers with the world living above. Furthermore, I wouldn't discourage the term progression from these guys, as it is quite a musical journey that this band has been taking, even slightly spiritual in fashion, and frankly within this album there are awkward, yet genuine, turnouts of crude passion. Kisser's riffery forethoughts and perspectives have been growing less to my liking over the years, however through "Impending Doom", which reminded in short just a little wince of a lost past and my favorite of the entire setting, I could feel a surge of power, Thrashcore is a decent pattern punching through. Others were less to be desired, sculling progressive values of unpolished Hardcore nailing a few respectable bites, but bearing some potential in the long run, maybe the dark shadows of the past will return one day with a bang.

What can I say, I have been providing this band with several chances, yet I couldn't find myself within this album. SEPULTURA gone being enigmatic, with a desire to be regarded as an imaginative pack of musicians. I will give you that, they are, and quite incredible, but still possibly there is an urge to get back to basics, back to the morbidity of visions other than being trapped in a maze.

DAMIAN J. COUSINS (5/10)

In all honesty, I was never really a big SEPULTURA guy. I mean, who didn't own "Chaos A.D." at some point, right? But since that album didn't exactly thrill me, I never bothered to purchase anything else. Their thirteenth studio effort "The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart" is set for release shortly via Nuclear Blast Records. Crazy title, right? So I will be judging this album as merely a stand-alone effort, and I am doing so mostly because my dear friend who didn't like the album wanted me to check it out to make sure he's not crazy! Well as it happens...he's not. This is a flat-out bad album. I don't even know if I can come up with anything good to say about it, but let's see what happens.

First bad thing right off the bat is the production. I cannot believe Ross Robinson is responsible for this mess. The band sounds like they are playing in a studio made of tin, and vocalist Derrick Green sounds as if he's singing in a tin barrel in said tin room. Anyone who dared to bitch and complain about the mix on METALLICA's "Death Magnetic" and is fine with this mess needs a check-up from the neck up, quite frankly. Its torture for the ears, I tell you.

Now, the songs. After 40 seconds of I-don't-know-what, the first song "Trauma of War" is pretty much all thumbs. Again, the mix is just awful. Next is "The Vatican" complete with church bells and everything. Gee, that's never been done before. Once we get over that mess, it's actually not a bad song, but I don't think we needed the first minute and a half. I did like the opening drums and steady pacing of "Impending Doom", however, so I had a glimmer of hope starting to appear. Alas, that faded quickly as "Manipulation of Tragedy" is just a muddled mess.

Things don't get much better with "Tsunami", either. I found myself wishing to be swept away by one for much of this album. At this point we are five songs in and I've liked one and a half. No bueno. Then, as if from nowhere, "The Bliss of Ignorants" comes in with a pummeling fury! This is the kind of song I can get behind, and was a welcome change. I also enjoyed the drum patterns on "Obsessed", which really enhanced things for me. That Eloy Casagrande kid knows his way around a drum kit, that's for sure. Closing number "De Lamo Ao Caos" really struck my fancy for some reason. I don't know what it is, but it jumped out at me right away and was one of my favorites.

As I said before, this is not a good SEPULTURA record. Hell, it's not a good record by anyone for that matter. Out of ten songs I liked four and a half, and maybe an occasional riff here and there, but this is one I won't be spinning again anytime soon. Swing and a miss.

EMILY COULTER (6/10)

Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA are back with their 13^th album "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" with Derrick Green on vocals. Will there 13^th album be lucky for them or not? With many fans of the band disliking Green's involvement and vocals it is a tough call, but the album has enough thrash to prove to the fans how Green can be great for the group. SEPULTURA has a lot of competition now Max Cavalera, the father of SEPULTURA is now label buddies with them on Nuclear Blast Records.

If METALLICA's "One" was made into a fast and heavy thrash track then the album opener "Traumas of War" would be that. The lyrics speak of paranoia and war. Casagrande's constant rolling drumming gives the track emphasis with a hint of steel drumming. Green's vocals feel deep and gruff, with real emotion as he screams "Paranoia, Trauma of War!" This is a 10/10 intro track, nothing gentle just pure Thrash.

Opening with violins and church bells "The Vatican" is an obvious name. The guitar's kick in with a "Roots"esque riff but breaks into death metal, Green's vocals are less gruff here and more of a dark death metal vibe. Kisser's solo at 5.13 makes the track shine as it stands out from the rest.

Casagrande really knows how to use his double kick pedals on "Impending Doom" but that is all what makes the track good, Green sings about how humanity is filthy but his screeching vocals just ruin it and sadly it's the same on "Manipulation of Tragedy": the drums great but everything else is weak. The album finally brings back the good music with "Tsunami". Doom riffs, death metal drums with small hints of tribal. This track is one for fans of KATAKLYSM, though Green's vocals still sound like screeching the spoken word parts give a lot of emphasis. The guitar solo at 2.28 is mesmerizing and shows the skills of Kisser.
"The Bliss Of Ignorants" has the old school SEPULTURA we all love. The tribal drumming of Casagrande is on top form, Kisser's guitar giving Djent style riffs and Green finally has normal vocals. This track may possibly be the best track of the album along with "Trauma Of War". This song makes you want to pick up a drum kit and maybe some steel drums, play along and head bang as fast as you can. All the old school fans are sure to love it. "Grief" is a very different track on the album, heavily doom metal inspired. Green's vocals are clean in some parts and very rough in others. A gentle but very raw track. The only bad part is that either the cymbals or a tambourine being used sounds like sleigh bells which makes it very distracting.

Green carries on the screech and shout vocals in 'The Age Of The Atheist'. Sadly another disappointing track on the album, the only good part is the drums what are rather plain compared to the other tracks. Penultimate track 'Obsessed' gives a little more to like, death metal vocals and fast guitar riffs make it more enjoyable but still lacks a certain lustre. The drums are too typical of the genre, it is as if Casagrande has almost got lazy with the drum tracks. A slight old school vibe with Brazilian chanting, 'Da Lama Ao Caos' shows how you should always pick an exciting track to end an album with. A good metal track but you can really feel the roots of SEPULTURA showing here. If the album had more songs like this with more variation it would have been a 10/10 album. 'Da Lama Ao Caos' is a combination of SKINDRED and old school SEPULTURA with Death Metal mixed in.

"The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" is a great album but some songs are so disappointing it brings the rest of the album down with it, if SEPULTURA got more to its roots with Derrick Green then the band could really hit the charts. But sadly only 3 songs make you want to mosh.