Sunday 11 June 2017

On Stage: Max & Iggor Cavalera Return To Roots @ Melkweg



I can appreciate heavy rock music a lot, although a lot of metal music is a bit too much for me. But once in a while a metal band or record definitely draws my attention. Twenty years ago Sepultura released their epic album Roots which saw them combine slower and groovy metal with traditional Brazilian music. It still stands as a monument today in the metal landscape and Max and Iggor Cavalera, the two brothers who are the beating heart of the original and most successful line-up, are touring around the globe to celebrate the record.

Max & Iggor Cavalera Return To Roots at Melkweg Amsterdam, June 9 2017



The epic album will be played in its entirety on this tour which means they kick off with 'Roots Bloody Roots'. Singer Max Cavalera still looks impressive with his wild dreads although he gained a bit of weight. His voice has worn off a little but he makes up for it with a lot of effort. He's totally into hands apparently because he keeps asking us to show them to him. The songs of the album have easily stood the test of time and still sound as impressive as twenty years go.



The traditional Brazilian elements are mixed in with the live music and it still is wonderful to hear how good a job they did with those, where everything blends together. But it's more than just the influence of the traditional music that make these songs so special. Sepultura found a sound that was unique in metal at that time. Starting more as a trash metal band, they started to play heavier and more groovy songs. You can hear this clearly in songs like 'Ratamahatta' and 'Dusted' where the grooves are hypnotizing and even turn psychedelic.



Drummer Iggor Cavalera is for a large part to thank for this, since he mixes metal drumming with tribal like grooves. He's an amazing drummer who plays the odd time signatures and heavy grooves with great ease, power and timing. The band is completed with Marc Rizzo on guitar and Tony Campos on bass, who you may know from one of Max Cavalera's other bands, Soulfly. The four piece do more than justice to the record and play everything with a lot of heart. Of course this is more than appreciated by the willing crowd who are joining in wholeheartedly in the special celebration.



The album set is closed with another performance of 'Roots Bloody Roots' and the band continues with some really old song from their trash metal time. Tonight once more proves what a unique and incredible album Roots is, one that should be treasured and celebrated like the Cavalera brothers are doing right now.



All Pictures

Official Website | Roots on Spotify

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