Cavalera – Morbid Visions Review

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Cavalera Morbid Visions 1986’s “Morbid Visions” is Sepultura’s debut full-length. As raw as it gets, it’s possible to notice the instrumental and musical evolution of the troupe. One year for a teenager is a lot of time, my dear child of the night. By then, Sepultura were already making a lot of gigs and that teaches a lot to a musician. However, from where I’m standing, even with all the issues “Bestial Devastation” had it sounds today more original than “Morbid Visions” does. Here it is possible to notice that Venom and Celtic Frost were their main influences. The tittle “Morbid Visions” directly addresses to 1984’s Celtic Frost’s “Morbid Tales.” But, hey, don’t you ever forget that we’re talking about kids within the 16 years old range. In fact, the album is this. All the teenager fury and thirsty for blood in the form of an album. As many of their peers from that time, the recording suffered from a quality that is poor, very poor I’d say. On the other hand, it’s fantastic to see how much the band achieved with so few quality elements. In 1986’s Brazil, there were no quality instruments and no quality studios available to Metal bands. It was a real struggle to overcome all these.

Stylistically, “Morbid Visions” is a step ahead from “Bestial Devastation” as it shows a more mature band – as a matter of speaking – learning how to use a recording studio and learning how to play their instruments properly. Though lirically and musically the album is stuck to early Black Metal features, the band makes some moves towards Thrash Metal, which, according to some critics that would be their proper genre in the future. There are, however, songs as “Mayhem” that showcases a Hardcore influence on vocals. Back then, Max declared that Hardcore was one of his major influences. In fact, Hardcore was a major influence for Extreme Metal bands in general. With this new recording using great quality recording sets it’s possible to notice that the band sounded a lot like their peers. Or, according to others, better than them. Remember that in the mid 1990’s Sepultura were the band. The drumming isn’t nervous as it was in the previous album – nervous is the term used according to the review I mentioned before – and it’s possible to listen to the guitars properly understanding their riffings. The album has “Troops of Doom” is an instant hit which it is still performed not only by Sepultura, but also by Jairo Guedz’s Troops of Doom, and Max’s projects. Technically, “War” showcases the best guitar riffs of the album and it’s possible to notice that Iggor is playing much better with an enriched repertoire of fillings ands movements.

As I said before, it’s so fortunate to have the experience of listening to this album with a proper recording. Again, it proves why Sepultura have got to be the band they are today. A mandatory album for any metaller.

P.S.: It is a funny experience to read some of reviews of that time about the album. Most of them slashed the band even though its growing popularity. Ah, reviewers.

Cavalera “Morbid Visions” will be released on July 14th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Track Listing:

  1. Morbid Visions
  2. Mayhem
  3. Troops of Doom
  4. War
  5. Crucifixion
  6. Show Me the Wrath
  7. Funeral Rites
  8. Empire of the Damned
  9. Burn the Dead

Watch official music video here:

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