Originally written by Brady Humbert.
So, this is a special review. I’m doing two versions to simplify this for all you metalheads because I got all your numbers and I know how you think. Read the review that corresponds with the letter that describes you best. Here we go…
A) Everything Max did after Arise is terrible (will also accept Chaos A.D).
B) I’ve followed Max through Soulfly and particularly like their last few albums.
A) You’ll hate it. It’s still terrible. Period. Go read another review.
B) Hi to all eight of you still reading. Now, since it’s just us in here, I can safely say that when it comes to Max’s creative output, I’ve really liked everything. EVERYTHING. I have a promo and Digipack for the first Soulfly album, along with the tour shirt. I go to the D-Low Memorial Show every year, and it rules every year. My favorite Deftones song is “Headup”. When I first got iTunes I put all the live Sepultura I had on one CD and continue to destroy my speakers listening to it. I am under the firm belief that people would hate Sepultura just the same if they had never changed their sound. They would have been accused of being monotonous and boring for not mixing it up. It is the “metal” way. But, somebody out there likes what Max’s done because here we have the reunion of Max and Igor Cavalera for the first time (officially) since 1996. Was it worth the wait? For the most part.
Inflikted‘s major issue is in that it is almost too similar to what Soulfly sounded like on their last two albums, Dark Ages and Prophecy. The major person to blame for this issue is also one of Inflikted‘s strongest performances and that’s the lead guitar work of Marc Rizzo. He can shred, without question. He’s not unlike Andreas Kisser in that he uses a lot of unique effects and clever riffing to compliment Max’s downpicking. Unfortunately, it’s the exact same thing he does in Soulfly. That and there is a tid bit of filler on Inflikted. The third quarter of this album has a lot of interchangables. These are really the only two issues I have with Inflikted.
Otherwise, Igor sounds amazing. I don’t know what it is, but the drums on Inflikted are extremely brutal. Very loud in the mix and they almost sound like they were recorded in clip and compressed in the mixing process. That or they’re triggered, but either way the drums sound good.
Max sounds like his usual self and you can hear the urgency in the vocals due to the “reunion” of sorts taking place here. It’s undeniable. Joe Duplantier’s vocals on “Black Ark” are a welcome cameo along with Ritchie Cavalera’s somewhat effective Jamey Jasta impression. It’s good to know that everybody showed up for Inflikted as there’s nothing half ass in the performances here.
There’s plenty of great tracks on Inflikted including the opening title track, which stands out a bit from the rest of the album as it was originally intended to be a Soulfly song. “Sanctuary” is a thrash-tastic display and shows off the speed that all involved parties still possess and do not fear. However, it’s not the most memorable track. “Terrorist” shows some awesome post thrash groove while “Black Ark” features the aformentioned trio vocal attack of Max, Joe, and Ritchie. It’s also my favorite song on here for that very reason.
“Ultra-Violent” has some interesting chug riffing over some creative beats from Igor. “Hex” is another fast number and has a very Nailbomb feel to it with more technicality due to Rizzo’s guitar meanderings. There’s also a great break down around the 1:15 mark that brings to mind Fear Emptiness Despair era Napalm Death.
“The Doom of All Fires” is a snoozer until it picks up around the 1:38 mark into a more thrash tempo with a solid solo from Rizzo. “Bloodbrawl” is a mediocre song but also bears the best guitar solo on the album as Rizzo busts out the neo-classical as it segways into a great acoustic interlude.
“Nevertrust” is another fast Nailbomb type song with more solid shredding while “Must Kill” fits in more with the stomping Sep groove of the first half of Inflikted. It’s a fitting end to what’s on display here, although the lyrics are a little tame by today’s standards.
Overall, I like Inflikted a lot and I’m really glad this “reunion” happened. There’s a sense of urgency here that hasn’t been heard since, well, Roots. However, it’s not the eclectic thrash melee that Soulfly has become (yes, I said that), and that’s why I feel weird anticipating a new Soulfly more than this album. Inflikted is balls to the wall, catching up for lost time. I can tell you it’s better than anything Igor has done with Sepultura since Roots. However, I don’t think it’s better than Soulfly’s Dark Ages or Prophecy. That’s just where I stand on the whole thing. I do appreciate exactly what this is and why the decision was made to write and release it. As a lifelong fan of Sepultura and all things associated, this is absolutely essential and will be in my top ten for 2008.
If you’re uncertain if you are going to like this based on my review, I would ask if you liked the last two Soulfly albums. If yes, then go for it. If you haven’t heard the last two Soulfly albums, then I would recommend those before this, truthfully. Cavalera Conspiracy is certainly not the Sepultura you remembered from the Roadrunner mail in catalog when you were a kid.
If you are one of those pre-Arise people who decided not to heed my warning, well you should’ve listened to me at the beginning of the review. You’ll completely fucking hate this and I just stole three minutes of your life that you will never get back.
Under a pale grey sky, baby!
