2003
“I can see those fighter planes.”
While most people will complain (sometimes justifiable) about bands that sound different on each successive album, I don’t. I enjoy listening to bands that can retain their identity whilst creating something new. I also enjoy seeing a more fun/ personal side of a band, which you usually get when a band records covers. This is exactly what I got with the limited edition of Roorback.
“Roorback” means creating falsehoods for political effect. Overall, the album definitely has an anti-establishment feel to it. It isn’t constricted by over-production. The songs are honest and very well written which explains why it took them only six weeks to record and mix. Yes. it may take a while for it to grow on you but once it takes hold you’re screwed (in a great way). You’ll pester your friends and the D.J’s at your favorite alternative club will have a hard time with you. If you are a fan of true Heavy Music you’ll want Roorback!
Roorback will please almost everyone who is into Heavy Music because it touches on all the good things that SEPULTURA have been know for such as growling, fast-paced guitars and DEEP LOW-END vocals. It ranges from VERY fast paced songs like ‘Activist’ to awesome melody and acoustic guitar on ‘Bottomed Out’. Actually, every song has it’s own identity without straying too far from the general feel of the album. Sepultura must be congratulated on taking Metal from twenty-plus decades and making it relevant within a modern context.
The bonus disk contains a load of covers, each getting a bit of a Brazilian steroid treatment. Jane’s Addiction’s ‘Mountain Song’ and U2’s ‘Bullet the Sky’ deserve special mentions as does ‘Angel and Messiah’. The band do sound more relaxed on this collection of songs (but not weaker). I would recommend Roorback to everybody. The album, the artwork, the lyrics, the band, everything, has been pushed a little farther.
So come on, I DARE YA! Slip it into your ears.
by Willie Prins