Thrash Metal

F YOU SONGS: SLIPKNOT- DISASTERPIECE

It’s always interesting when you wake up with a sense of aggression. Then on top of that feeling, somehow a song pops in your head and you feel the sense of catharsis through it. There’s music for every type of feeling and mood. That’s part of why I’m so immersed in it. The song that felt right and was the one in my head when I woke up was Slipknot’s “Disasterpiece” from their album, Iowa. The sheer intensity and ferociousness on this song is uncanny. Lyrically, it’s scathing and rightfully so. Musically, the way the song explodes, retreats a little, then explodes again is sublime. You feel every word as the music pulsates through you. In a strange way with “Disasterpiece,” you can have a bit of an out of body experience depending on your level of frustration and anger! Ross Robinson really brought out the best in Slipknot on this album through all their anger and frustration.

Slipknot- Disasterpiece:

TRACK ONE: SEPULTURA- REFUSE/RESIST

This year the Cavalera brothers went on tour to celebrate their album, Chaos A.D. This is my all time favorite Sepultura album. I love this record. It’s heavy, brutal, full of great ear candy moments, and the mix on it is superb. I honestly thought when I was a kid and even today, that if Sepultura had kept expanding upon this sound and style by adding just a tinge of melody, they’d have been global giants! But that’s a topic and subject for a whole other time. Instead lets focus on track one of Chaos A.D. and that is “Refuse/Resist.” There are so many great track one’s and this song is definitely one of them. The groove on this song is beyond awesome. Interestingly, “Refuse/Resist” was the fourth single to be released from this album. It’s still a live staple to this day, even in Sepultura now, as well as with Max and Igor when they tour. Another fun tidbit is the beginning intro features the heartbeat of Max’s then unborn son, Zyon, who now plays with Max in Soulfly. You really can’t go wrong with Chaos A.D. and to have “Refuse/Resist” kick it off?! Now that’s a banger!

Sepultura- Refuse/Resist:

COLLABORATIONS: SOULFLY & GREG PUCIATO- RISE OF THE FALLEN

I’ve been on a bit of a Soulfly kick as of late. I’ve got something really cool coming up that is Soulfly related but, you’ll just have to wait a moment for that! Part of what put me on this kick was my podcast co-host Justin doing a full Soulfly rewind review (which will be out on Sinisterreviews.wordpress.com shortly) and I went back through a few a few of my favorites. Also, Soulfly’s thirteenth studio album, Chama, comes out 11.24.25!! One of the albums I went back to was their seventh album, Omen. This record is an interesting one for a myriad of reasons. Logan Mader who would tour with Soulfly during the first album was the producer/engineer/mixer. Prong’s Tommy Victor lends his superb and very underrated guitar work to the song “Lethal Injection.” And the reason for this article is Greg Puciato of Better Lovers/The Black Queen/Killer Be Killed/ex The Dillinger Escape Plan, guests on the song “Rise Of The Fallen.” This track is a banger for sure. It’s got a really cool groove to it along with some great worldly textures and then you add in Greg’s vocals both aggressive and melodic and the combination is gold. Listening to this song you can hear how and why Killer Be Killed was formed. Max and Greg work like peanut butter and jelly! The picture at the top is of Greg and Max from the studio! And to end it on a positive note, this collaboration has happened live as well and it’s straight up vicious.

Soulfly with Greg Puciato- Rise Of The Fallen (LIVE):

Rise Of The Fallen (Album Version):

Band Of The Week: Return Fire

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When it comes to metal music, people always tend to focus on the guitar playing and vocals but, there are 2 other elements that really shouldn’t go overlooked, the drums and bass. When you look back through the history of metal, the impact of those two instruments, it’s without a doubt that those are the true driving forces. Think about it, Sabbath, Priest, Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, etc, all those bands had such killer rhythm sections that were the ultimate driving force. I’d like to bring your attention to a band called Return Fire led by drummer Joe Nunez, who you might recall as one of Soulfly’s former drummers. His new band, Return Fire is a pretty thrashtastic return to the fold. Armed with a sound that hits on all the right grooves a la Slayer, Pantera, Napalm Death, Prong and even a bit of a Helmet vibe, Return Fire is the real deal. Their debut album is loud, fast and ferocious. If you are a fan of this style of metal, I really think you’ll dig this.

 

Return Fire- Return Fire: