SEPULTURA — Bestial Devastation / Século XX (review)

SEPULTURA — Bestial Devastation / Século XX album cover

Split · 1985 · Death Metal

3.5/5 · 2024-07-14
UMUR

"Bestial Devastation / Século XX" is a split release featuring Brazilian artists Sepultura and Overdose. The split was released through Cogumelo Records in December 1985 and features 3 tracks by Overdose and 5 tracks by Sepultura. Overdose formed in 1983 and released the "Última Estrela Demo" that same year, while this split is Sepultura´s first release after forming in 1984. Both groups played a role on the early speed/thrash/death metal scene in Brazil, but Sepultura´s career skyrocketed in the late 80s/early 90s and they´ve became a major act internationally, while Overdose are probably mostly known (at least outside their homeland) because of their involvement on this split. In 1990 Cogumelo Records opted to reissue the material from "Bestial Devastation / Século XX" as two individual EPs under each artist monicker.

The original vinyl release featured the Overdose tracks on Side A and the Sepultura tracks on Side B. Overdose compositions are speed metal/heavy metal and the lyrics are in Portuguese. They open the split with the 10:02 minutes long "Anjos do Apocalipse", which is quite powerful and relatively intricate as far as structure goes. Overdose manage to sound sharp, raw, and heavy, but also incorporate melody and blistering lead work, and I hear more than one nod in the music towards an artist like Mercyful Fate, especially when they play solos. The vocals are a combination of singing and more raw barking. Both "Filhos do Mundo" and "Século XX" are also good quality compositions well worth the price of admission. Overdose are a very well playing band and when the songwriting is also intriguing and powerful, it´s the blueprint for a winner. The tracks feature a raw, but detailed and well sounding production, which suits the material perfectly.

The Sepultura compositions are of a completely different and more extreme nature. After the atmospheric spoken word track "The Curse" is done, Sepultura immediately set the record straight with some fiercely fast-paced, brutal, and aggressive death/thrash on the following title track. It´s obviously the early releases by the teutonic trio of Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction, which are the main influences, but there are also nods toward both Venom, Hellhammer, and even a blast beat on "Antichrist", showing a hardcore/grindcore influence. It´s intense, angry, and raw, but actually really well performed. The tracks reek a burning passion and they are quite catchy too. The sound production on the Sepultura tracks is filthy and raw, but not murky, which means you are able to hear all details of the compositions and the performances.

So "Bestial Devastation / Século XX" is a chance to hear Sepultura in the earliest stages of their by now successful career, but the Overdose part of the split should definitely not be neglected as their brand of speed metal/heavy metal is of a high quality and features quite a few intriguing elements. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.