Very few veteran bands are able to keep one foot in the present and the other in the future. It is difficult to maintain a balance between looking forward while still remaining grounded in the present. Yet Sepultura manage to keep one foot in the past, one in the present, and one in the future. How so? I will explain.
With the opening track “All Souls Rising,” the band channels their glorious past through fiery, untamed guitars, while grounding themselves in the present with symphonic elements and free-jazz-inspired drumming. Astonishingly, they also hint at the future with an unconventional blend that pushes against their established musical identity. The song delivers the relentless power of their early work, combined with the unpredictability of near-atonal experimentation.
The Cloud of Unknowing may or may not be Sepultura’s final statement, though I doubt it will be, as this is an EP and the band deserves a more definitive conclusion in the form of a full-length album. That said, aside from its title—something I often believe reflects a band’s intentions and mindset—the release offers several musical surprises for listeners. It sounds distinctly different from much of the band’s recent output.
In fact, from my perspective, Sepultura may be offering a final contribution to the evolution of metal music through tracks such as the aforementioned “All Souls Rising” and the surprising, 1990s-inspired ballad “Beyond the Dream.” It is unusual to hear Derrick Green’s clean vocal delivery here, alongside Andreas Kisser’s straightforward guitar work, free of effects or whammy bar embellishments. This track could easily have found a place on alternative rock radio in the 1990s.
Overall, The Cloud of Unknowing moves through a modern avant-garde death metal framework, incorporating elements of jazz and symphonic metal. It also feels as though drummer Greyson Nekrutman has influenced this new direction, particularly evident in the drum-driven intensity of “Sacred Books,” where piano accents create a sense of unease and surprise. The guitar pizzicato work in “The Place” also departs significantly from the band’s usual approach. At the same time, the ethereal atmosphere may feel unfamiliar to fans more attached to Sepultura’s traditional sound.
There is also a noticeable influence reminiscent of 1990s Ozzy Osbourne-era mood and atmosphere. In a broader sense, this reflects what Max Weber described as Zeitgeist—the spirit of the times, the prevailing cultural climate, ethos, and intellectual atmosphere that defines a particular era.
Sepultura have always evoked mixed reactions from fans. Some remain firmly attached to the band’s earlier work and reject anything released after Derrick Green joined. Like it or not, his contribution has helped keep Sepultura relevant. An album as surprising and stylistically diverse as The Cloud of Unknowing may, in some ways, support that argument.
Perhaps it is the right time to say goodbye. Yet, judging by their current creative direction, this release may also suggest that Sepultura are not ready to stop just yet. For better or worse, change is inevitable, and Sepultura have adapted in order to survive. That is a simple fact of life.
Sepultura “The Cloud of Unknowing” will be released on April 24th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Track Listing:
1. All Souls Rising
2. Beyond the Dreams
3. Sacred Books
4. The Place
Watch “The Place” official lyric video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!