SEPULTURA — The Best of Sepultura (review)

SEPULTURA — The Best of Sepultura album cover

Boxset / Compilation · 2006 · Groove Metal

1/5 · 2011-07-06
Diogenes

I don't like "best of" compilations. I really don't. Sure, they're okay if you have a friend or relative interested in, but unfamiliar with, a certain band, where you can drop a few bucks and tell them to check it out. But even then, it seems like they only exist as a way for record labels to make more money. Now, I realize that you gotta make the moolah somehow, but frankly, to put this out and call it "The BEST of Sepultura" is an insult.

This is supposed to cover the first 10 years of Sepultura's career. You can tell since the songs are in chronological order, make sense? This should help you realize that there is only one song from Morbid Visions, NOTHING from Schizophrenia (not one!), and two songs from Beneath the Remains. Of course, the Troops of Doom on here is a re-recording that was found on the re-release of Schizophrenia, but then that version isn't on Morbid Visions, so...one of those albums is getting snubbed. Of course, whether you like a song or not is completely opinion-based, but to completely leave one of the band's best offerings out like that is questionable. What might also seem fishy is the track selection from Arise and Chaos A.D. I really like Propaganda and Nomad, and I think Altered State is the best song from Arise...but they're nowhere to be found...but this is all subjective, right? What I consider to be the best might not be what others consider to be the best, right?

What should be blindingly obvious at this point is that this supposed "best of" compilation IS JUST A COLLECTION OF SINGLES. 9 out of the 13 tracks are singles, and you can bet your ass that if Sepultura had American record label help on their first couple of albums, that number would be even higher. Want to know why there is so much Roots and Chaos A.D. on this compilation? What were Sepultura's two most commercially successful albums in this era? Yup, Roots and Chaos A.D. Somehow, I don't think this was a coincidence.

But wait, I haven't even told you the worst part of it yet! Roadrunner released this compilation in 2006. Guess what record label Sepultura was signed with then? That's right, SPV. Basically, Roadrunner attempted to milk the Cavalera era Sepultura cash cow one last time, without the band's consent, full of songs that they would be making money from anyway since they're so popular.

This should not be called "The Best of Sepultura". I think a more appropriate title would be "A Collection of Sepultura Songs that You Can Find Immediately if You Search Sepultura on Youtube". However, this would not be able to rip people off and fill Roadrunner's pockets as well (I'm no good at marketing). You want a best-of list? Take a poll of their fanbase and save yourself the money. And if you really want to show someone what the true best of Sepultura is, get them a copy of any of first five albums. They are all better than this piece of trash compilation. Support the band, not the record labels!

more than 2 years ago
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UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

We try our best ;-)

Diogenes wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thanks man! I really appreciate it. I have had a lot of free time lately so hopefully I can keep cranking out reviews. This place really makes a guy feel welcome.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oh and btw you´ve written some great reviews these last few days. I´m looking forward to reading more :-)

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I think you should give the release exactly the rating you think it deserves. You fully explain your reasons for the low rating. That´s what´s so great about people writing reviews instead of just rating.

Diogenes wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thank you for the comment. I might have been a little harsh, maybe I will add another half star later, but I really don't think this should be bought by anyone.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I think you pretty much hit the nail with this review. I would probably rate it a bit higher based on the actual quality of the music, but I agree that this is obviously an attempt from Roadrunner to press the lemon as much as possible.