SEPULTURA — Chaos A.D. (review)

Album · 1993 · Groove Metal

4.5/5 · 2022-07-26
UMUR

"Chaos A.D." is the 5th full-length studio album by Brazilian thrash/groove metal act Sepultura. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in October 1993 (the band also signed a distribution deal with major label Epic Records). It´s the successor to the highly successful "Arise" from 1991. After completing almost two years of touring in support of "Arise (1991)" (during which they played over 200 shows), Sepultura felt burnt out on the death/thrash metal material from their past releases, and felt the need to stir things up and try something different. At the same time the winds of the music scene had begun changing towards a more alternative/groove based heavy sound, and with "Chaos A.D.", Sepultura help popularize that sound (along with comtemporary artists like Prong, Fudge Tunnel, Helmet, and Machine Head).

So stylistically "Chaos A.D." is not a continuation of the death/thrash metal sound of their last couple of albums, but instead a heavy thrash/groove metal based release with both industrial, hardcore punk, and alternative metal leanings. Sepultura had toyed with tribal drumming and percussion on "Arise (1991)", but on "Chaos A.D." they use it more frequently. The acoustic instrumental "Kaiowas" track even dives fully into ethnic tribal territory. There is generally an emphasis on heavy groove laden riffs and rhythms although there are a couple of faster paced parts on the album too. There aren´t that many of them though, and it´s mostly the hardcore oriented "Biotech Is Godzilla" (featuring lyrics by Jello Biafra) which is in the really fast-paced catagory.

"Chaos A.D." is quite the diverse release. "Kaiowas" and "Biotech Is Godzilla" have already been mentioned as two tracks which stand out, but heavy groove laden tracks like the opening trio of "Refuse/Resist", "Territory", and "Slave New World" and a track like "Nomad" could also be mentioned among the highlights. The New Model Army cover "The Hunt" is a melodic hard rocking addition to the album, and a track like "We Who Are Not as Others" also stands out as a pretty different sounding song. So it´s an album which requires a more open-minded listener than the band´s preceding releases.

Sepultura picked Andy Wallace (who had previously mixed "Arise (1991)") to produce "Chaos A.D." and went to Rockfield Studios in South Wales to record the album. The result is a well produced album featuring a powerful and detailed sound, which suits the material perfectly. The musicianship is strong on all posts and the new instrumental features like the more groove laden drums and guitars are well complimented by Max Cavalera´s still raw but slightly more diverse vocal approach. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

more than 2 years ago
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UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oh...and as far as I remember I have a review of "Roots" in backlog to be posted. I wrote these reviews a few years back, so I´m not a 100% sure, but I´ll have to search my archive of yet to be posted reviews to be sure.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

:-)...I´ve seen them a couple of times with Derrick too, and while it´s a slightly different experience from seing them in the 90s with Max, they are still great and I´ll go see them any time I can. Actually I´m seing them at this gig: https://www.livenation.dk/artist-sepultura-1893 with Sacred Reich and Crowbar...damn that´s not a bad lineup.

Tupan wrote:

more than 2 years ago

(Roots still overrated, haha)

Tupan wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I only saw them live with Derrick Green, circa Roorback era, I think. It was amazing regardless! And yes, you're right Jonas, Chaos AD was appreciated, with their videos being constantly aired even in MTV.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Chaos AD received plenty of love and appreciation when it was released. Sepultura were a top artist in metal in those days because of it and sold out arenas with 2000-3000 people, which was quite a lot in those days for an artist this (relatively) extreme. I saw them on this tour and they owned the world...

Tupan wrote:

more than 2 years ago

This album should've received all the love that the overrated Roots got IMHO. But to each his own!

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

One of my top picks from the Seps too. Just listened to Roots and love that one too.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I liked it when it was released, but had a number of years afterwards where I didn´t appreciate it much. Revisiting it again in the last couple of years has made me appreciate it again.

Tupan wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Their best album IMO. The diversity is amazing!