With all due respect to those who have the original version of “Schizophrenia”, if you are like me, the only reason you have the originals is because you feel the need to make sure you have all the relevant releases of the band is question. Although I have to admit that this was the first one for me where the quality of the songs on offer started to shine through. Of course I am speaking of SEPULTURA, the Brazilian band that made furious Thrash Metal with some Death and even Black Metal influences thrown in left right and centre. At least, that’s what they did when they started out.

This is the third release by SEPULTURA that has gotten the CAVALERA treatment, and again the situation is quite simple. Forget the poor production of the original “Schizophrenia” album, and find out how good the two brothers have done in rerecording the whole shebang. It worked on the first two releases, “Morbid Visions” and “Bestial Devastation”. And even though the quality of the songs was quite prevalent on the original release of “Schizophrenia”, this time it becomes obvious from the first note onward. It is as if the CAVALERA brothers have translated their live performances ointo studio ones.

Of course there are some things that are not up to spec. I feel that the reverb on the voice of Max is just too distracting. A little less diversion, and a bit more directness in this area would have been better. The same goes for the sound of the toms on Iggor's drumkit. Why are they singing around? Please keep it simple, that would have been a lot better. These are just minor criticism issues I have, as I am enjoying the songs on “Schizophrenia” immensely. To me this is the first album where you could hear where SEPULTURA was heading, and it certainly was in the right direction. In comparison to the other two releases mentioned there is more depth in the music, the Thrash Metal elements are better thought out and the structures of the songs is more stable and less erratic.

As I see it “Schizophrenia” should be the last album that needs the CAVALERA treatment, as from the next SEPULTURA album onwards, “Beneath The Remains”, the sound has been impeccable. So now you can enjoy every SEPULTURA album with a sound deserving of the music. And even though the first three will be CAVALERA versions of those albums, the brothers have kept the integrity oif them intact. As they should.