The Cavalera name is synonymous with heavy metal, but many still cry: 'Max hasn't done anything good since 1991!'. It’s enough to make you weep. The thing is, he has produced a wealth of credible, certifiably heavy material since Sepultura's 'Arise' emerged. His influence on thrash, death and groove metal is undeniable and, crucially, untamed dreadlocks are 100% metal, mate.
Since the Cavalera boys left the sinking ship that was Sepultura, Max and Igor have joined forces for two Cavalera Conspiracy albums, 'Inflikted' and 'Blunt Force Trauma'. While both were impressive musical excursions, neither captured the exuberance and rollicking thuggery of yore. That all changes now.
'Pandemonium' succeeds on a number of levels, presenting itself as the duo's strongest outing since 'Arise'. From the opening throes of the title track to the closing gambit of Porra, the latest Cavalera record spends its entire duration thrashing the living piss out of your speakers.
There are no quasi-industrial numbers and no nu-metal riffs: this is a filthy, malevolent abomination with the pace of a speed-addled cheetah. Insurrection and Bonzai Kamikaze feature Igor operating at a level that he hasn't since the early ‘90s behind the kit, trading in the grooves for an all-out audio war.
And then we come to Max's contributions. Almost unrecognisable in places – the title track and The Crucible being two examples – the Brazilian beast unleashes layered, piercing highs and guttural belches in conjunction with his usual roar.
This visceral delivery goes hand-in-hand with the pummelling riffs and disgusting, squelching bass courtesy of Converge's Nate Newton. At times exuding a rumble closer to grind than it is to thrash, this is quite possibly the heaviest record the Cavaleras have penned.
Criminally underrated lead guitarist Marc Rizzo is given his time in the spotlight, too, letting rip some of his best work to date during Cramunhao. His eccentricities colour the album, providing flourishes and ensuring that the unrelenting thrash 'n' roll never gets too one-dimensional.
No, this is not Sepultura circa '91. It was never going to be. This is something much more promising. Finally, after years of fruitless searching, the Cavalera brothers have got their mojo back. Austin Powers, beware.
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