Classic Album, Sepultura, Chaos AD
Posted on 25th Aug 09 by Paul Groome | 
17
What is it about Wales? Isolation maybe. The whole area of Snowdonia couldn’t be further from the rigors of modern city living. And this willingness of bands to isolate themselves is driven from a desire to change, to creatively move in a different direction. And to record an album that stands head and shoulders above [...]
What is it about Wales? Isolation maybe. The whole area of Snowdonia couldn’t be further from the rigors of modern city living. And this willingness of bands to isolate themselves is driven from a desire to change, to creatively move in a different direction. And to record an album that stands head and shoulders above their contemporaries. An impressive list of artists from Black Sabbath to Rush, Iggy Pop to Queen. They’ve all frequented Wales over the years for a relaxed recording environment. So when Sepultura finished their tour cycle for the Arise album and announced that they’d be taking up residence at Rockfield Studios, breaths were held, fingers were crossed, lucky pennies were rubbed.
Sepultura, Chaos AD
This would be their first release away from the protective wing of Morrisound Studios in Florida, the home of the Floridian Death Metal scene. A moot point amongst purists, Sepultura, Obituary, Morbid Angel and Death were seen as being the forerunners of death metal. Having all shared the recording facilities at Morrisound for the majority of their back catalog, these Four Horses Of The Death Metal Apocolypse were about to seperate. And so, Max, Igor, Paolo and Andreas were beginning the transition from feral stallion to thoroughbred.
Chaos AD is the first step to slow things down for Sepultura. All releases prior to this, were tightly bound to the thrash metal elements. Arise, Beneath The Remains and Schizophrenia had already set new standards in the underground metal scene. Now it was time to move on to something more developed and thought out.
There will be a few people who reckon Roots is the be-all and end-all of Sepultura. You’re wrong.
The biggest change was in their song writing structure. Bigger guitar sounds and a more tribal inclination on the drums introduced a different dynamic to the band. A dynamic that would be developed even further on Roots. Igor’s carefully updated drumkit now included toms and cymbols that would more likely be present in a samba band, leaving the old straight forward thrash edge behind. Guitar riffs were simplified into punk style assaults this time around, and bass now had a new place in the mix as opposed to following the rhythm guitar parts of old.
Refuse/Resist opens the album instantly creating a classic tune that can’t be beat. The tribal pummeling of the toms at the beginning of Territory displays a new confidence and direction. While Propaganda and Slave New World showed their consistent analysis on a world falling apart through the public media.
The shocking addition that NOBODY saw coming was the acoustic number. Kaiowas. Recorded in Chepstow Castle, this is the most atmospheric anthem on the album. Purely instrumental, and comprising of two acoustic guitars and a selection of drums, this as an absolutely stunning tune. A song, titled and inspired by the Kaiowas tribe from the Brazilian rain-forest, who committed mass suicide in a successful attempt to attract international attention to the theft of land by the government.
Producing considerations brought to the table, came in the form of John Zorn, offbeat jazz composer, and Al Jourgenson of Ministry legend. Two different sides of the musical spectrum. Finally deciding that moving from Florida to Wales was enough of a change for one week, they asked their previous producer for Arise and longtime
Rick Rubin associate, Andy Wallace, to contribute. Wallace, having also been responsible for the engineering work on Slayer’s Reign In Blood, was more than qualified.
This album should belong in all hard rock/metal fans record collection. Unfortunately, there will be a few people who reckon Roots is the be-all and end-all of Sepultura. You’re wrong. Roots wouldn’t be the master-piece that it is without Chaos AD before it.
Drop-d Rating: 10/10
Tags: Andreas, Andy Wallace, Chaos AD, Chepstow Castle, Death, Igor, Kaiowas tribe, Max, Morbid Angel, Morrisound Studios, Obituary, Paolo, Reign In Blood, Rockfield studios, Roots, Sepultura, slayer, Wales
Who the fuck rates Roots above Chaos A.D. anyway?! Bloody Ross Robinson…
Can ya seriously not even get the band’s name right in the headline?
JB is pissed off! He will NOT stand for typographical errors of any kind!
Anyway, yeah…. Chaos AD, ‘tis a cracker.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a band’s name to be spelled right, expecially in the headline. Stuff like that just makes this whole website look even more amateurish (were it possible).
Relax bro, I was only having a laugh. But yeah the headline should have been fixed.
Paddy?
Yay!
Know the best thing about amateurish websites JB? Paul Groome could come in and tell you to fuck off with your pedantic comments.
But he wouldn’t because he’s actually decent.
Nay you silly, silly woman, did I say “Paul Groome is an indecent prick”? No I pointed out a spelling mistake in a headline. Believe it or not the little things make an impression to readers.
And considering you hound other websites with “pedantic comments” yourself I thought you’d be well fit to understand a real comment and a comment for comments sake. Not all of us are fond of the latter you know.
Eh, I don’t go Nazi on web-typos. Considering you took a bash on this post and another, regurgitating the ‘amateur’ remark and not making a single comment on the actual subject matter or ideas within, it makes you a pedant.
Seriously, point out our flaws. Criticise us. Tell us how we can improve: it’s necessary. Just lashing out spitefully does no one any favours.
Personally, I LOVE cake!
Oh sorry, wrong argument. I’ll be on my way…
Jesus, lads. Its just a feckin’ typo! I take your point, I should have spotted something that obvious. Nay has a point too though, without your feedback we wouldnt have known. However, theres no need for a slagging match. Constructive feedback is always welcome, as long as it IS constructive.
And also, thanks for taking the time to read the article in the first place.
…also JB, less of the condescending ‘silly woman’ comments. We dont call you names in posts on your site.
I love this record. Up there with Remains and Arise as one of Sepultura’s best. Territory and Slave New World are such savage tracks.
Amazing how music time some people have on their hands though. Personally I don’t visit sites I consider to have poor standards and quality but then again, some of us have life’s (or other sad distractions
)
Music = Much, guess that’s just my poor standards. Sorry J*, will do better next time.
Robert O’Connor “some of us have life’s” Oh…my…God.
With grammar like that, you’re on the right website mate
Ah get over yourself ya pompous twat and get back to harassing Megadeth to add the ‘A’ and a space.
Relax yourself JB!
Man, great album. I think I actually started off with Nation and then went from there. Chaos AD is an incredible album though, really dig Kaoiwas as well as the couple of tribal tracks on Roots. Very unexpected, but in a good way.