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| Machine Messiah | ||||
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| Released | January 13, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | October–November 2016 | |||
| Studio | Fascination Street Studios, Örebro, Sweden | |||
| Genre | ||||
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| Label | Nuclear Blast – Sony (Latin America) | |||
| Producer | Jens Bogren | |||
| Sepultura chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Machine Messiah | ||||
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Machine Messiah is the fourteenth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released on January 13, 2017. [2] The album sold 1,900 units in the United States in its first week. [3]
The band recorded Machine Messiah in Sweden with producer Jens Bogren. [4] Machine Messiah is the band's first studio album in over three years since The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart (2013), marking the longest gap between two studio albums in their career. The album cover art was created by Filipino artist Camille Dela Rosa.
The band stated the concept of the album, saying, "The main inspiration around Machine Messiah is the robotization of our society nowadays. The concept of a God Machine who created humanity and now it seems that this cycle is closing itself, returning to the starting point. We came from machines and we are going back to where we came from. The messiah, when he returns, will be a robot, or an humanoid, our biomechanical savior."
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Metal Hammer |   |
| Terrorizer | [5] |
Machine Messiah received positive reviews, with many critics calling it one of Sepultura's best albums. Thom Jurek of Allmusic gave it 3.5 stars out of 5, saying that, "Machine Messiah continues to build on the diverse proggish elements displayed on Dante XXI , A-Lex , and Kairos , while re-engaging with the thrash and hardcore that made 2013's The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart so compelling." He described the album as an "ambitious, angry, hungry outing", and that, "Sepultura remain vital in their creativity; they expand their palette dramatically while fully integrating the sounds that brought them here." [1]
New Noise gave the album 5 stars out of 5 and said, "Sepultura have very well created one of 2017's most noticeable records in Machine Messiah. While Green provides capturing vocals and lyrics, the instrumentals truly stand as a testament to incredible musicianship." And that, "Sepultura have crafted an album to be incredibly proud of, and one fans will adore. Machine Messiah is a record that embodies the strengths of the past, innovative combination, and excellent musicianship on all levels." [6]
Loudwire praised the guitar playing, saying, "One thing that doesn't change is Kisser's skillful guitar work. Whether he's blazing along at maximum velocity or exploring progressive territory, it's creative and flawlessly played." [7] First Post praised the vocals, saying, "Green is mesmerising, hypnotic and aggression personified in equal parts, and his versatility across the space of just these 10 tracks show exactly why there should never be a reunion." [8]
No Clean Singing praised the drumming, saying, "The other thing that really brings Machine Messiah to life is drummer Eloy Casagrande, whose own writing on this record is phenomenal. This is the first truly great drum performance of 2017 that I've heard, and I think it'll turn out to be a real standout for me for the rest of the year. He approaches the album in two extremes: He either sticks to the super tried-and-true basics or he just throws something completely fucking out there (see the fucked-up blast-beats in "I Am The Enemy"), and shows that he's not only filling the shoes of his predecessor just fine, he's outright superior to him in every regard as a living, breathing groove factory." [9]
Maximum Volume Music praised Machine Messiah as one of their very best albums, saying, "It would come as something of a shock that at this point in their careers, Sepultura sound this vital and this fresh. But then, the only surprising thing, perhaps is that we are still surprised. Sepultura: confounding expectations since 1984 – and this is up there with their best." [10]
Pure Grain Audio called the album "a very accomplished piece of work in its entirety, encompassing a variation of styles and syncopations." [11] Already Heard praised the musicianship, saying, "The playing on this record is unbelievable, Andreas Kisser is on fire throughout, Paulo Jr's bass is heavy as hell and drummer Eloy Casagrande is stunning in his versatility. [12] Tracks 9 and 6 were also praised, saying, "Vandals Nest" rips the listener's head clean off; Kisser's shredding is so sharp everything else is slow motion – killer. However, the one track that stands above is the absolutely massive 'Sworn Oath', its cinematic orchestration and angular guitar lines cut into a pounding bass drum that leads into as epic a thrasher as you are likely to hear."
My Global Mind said, "Let's face it, our present day relies on machines. The computers and cell phones we glare into space for hours on end are machines. Many lost the ability of social interaction, making simple meeting places such as coffee shops, music stores, and arcades, a memory of the past. Everything is turning into a controlled digital monopoly, pulling our human strings into a handful of directions that we end up having short attention spans or enter frustrated confusion. With that said, to me, this is what Sepultura's Machine Messiah is all about." [13]
It was elected the 18th-best Brazilian album of 2017 by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone . [14]
All lyrics are written by Derrick Green (1, 3, 4, 6 to 11), Andreas Kisser (tracks: 2, 4) and Kyouchi Azuma (12); all music is composed by Kisser, Green and Eloy Casagrande, except "Iceberg Dances" by Kisser and Casagrande, and "Ultraseven no Uta" by Toru Fuyuki
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Machine Messiah" | 5:54 |
| 2. | "I Am the Enemy" | 2:27 |
| 3. | "Phantom Self" | 5:30 |
| 4. | "Alethea" | 4:31 |
| 5. | "Iceberg Dances" (instrumental) | 4:41 |
| 6. | "Sworn Oath" | 6:09 |
| 7. | "Resistant Parasites" | 4:58 |
| 8. | "Silent Violence" | 3:46 |
| 9. | "Vandals Nest" | 2:47 |
| 10. | "Cyber God" | 5:22 |
| Total length: | 46:05 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Chosen Skin" | 3:17 |
| 12. | "Ultraseven No Uta" | 1:18 |
| Total length: | 50:40 | |
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| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA) [15] | 82 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [16] | 33 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [17] | 35 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [18] | 67 |
| French Albums (SNEP) [19] | 114 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [20] | 27 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [21] | 135 |
| Portuguese Albums (AFP) [22] | 35 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) [23] | 100 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [24] | 27 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) [25] | 18 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [26] | 9 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [27] | 11 |
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera. The band was a major force in the groove metal, thrash metal and death metal genres during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments drawing influence from alternative metal, world music, nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial metal. Sepultura has also been credited as one of the second wave of thrash metal acts from the late 1980s to early-to-mid-1990s.
Chaos A.D. is the fifth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released in 1993 by Roadrunner Records. The album saw a stylistic departure from the band's earlier thrash metal style, by featuring a new groove metal sound. Chaos A.D. is also Sepultura's only album on Epic Records, who handled its release for North American distribution, as well as the first album to feature Paulo Jr. on bass after having played with the band in a live capacity since 1984.
Roots is the sixth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura. It was released in Europe on February 20, 1996 and in the U.S. three weeks later on March 12 by Roadrunner Records. It is the band's last studio album to feature founding member and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Max Cavalera.
Schizophrenia is the second studio album by Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura, released on October 30, 1987 by Cogumelo Records. It is the first album for the band with Andreas Kisser. The album's sound leans more towards the death/thrash metal genre than the previous album Morbid Visions, which is stylistically closer to black metal. All songs were recorded during August 1987. The reissue of 1990 has a bonus track "Troops of Doom" which was recorded during August 26–27, 1990.
Against is the seventh studio album by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, released in 1998 through Roadrunner Records. It is the band's first release with new frontman Derrick Green, who replaced group founder Max Cavalera in 1997.
Nation is the eighth studio album by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, released in 2001 through Roadrunner Records. Nation features guest appearances from artists such as Hatebreed singer Jamey Jasta, Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra, Ill Niño singer Cristian Machado, Ratos de Porão frontman João Gordo, and Apocalyptica.
Soulfly is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Soulfly, released on April 21, 1998, through Roadrunner Records. The record was released in memory of frontman Max Cavalera's deceased stepson and was the first album featuring Cavalera since leaving Sepultura two years prior. Soulfly has been certified gold by the RIAA.
Nailbomb was a heavy metal band formed in 1994 as a side project by Brazilian musician Max Cavalera of Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy and Soulfly, and British musician Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel. They played a combination of primarily industrial metal and thrash metal. The band recorded one studio album, Point Blank, and played a warmup live performance and their last ever performance at the 1995 Dynamo Open Air Festival two days later, after which the band disbanded.
Roorback is the ninth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released in 2003, through SPV Records.
Stain is the third studio album by American rock band Living Colour. It was released on March 2, 1993, by Epic Records. It is the first album to feature bassist Doug Wimbish. Stain features a generally heavier sound with more pessimistic themes, the songs representing a range of genres. It peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200.
The following is the discography of Sepultura, a Brazilian heavy metal band. Sepultura was formed in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera. After several lineup changes, Paulo Jr. and Jairo Guedz became permanent members for the band's first studio album Morbid Visions, released in 1986 through Cogumelo Records. Guitarist Jairo Guedz left Sepultura following the band's first tour and was replaced by Andreas Kisser. With the new lineup, Sepultura recorded Schizophrenia in 1987. Beneath the Remains, the first album from the band's contract with Roadrunner Records, was released in 1989, followed by Arise in 1991 and Chaos A.D. in 1993. Sepultura's best-selling album Roots, was released in 1996 and debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200.
Arise is the fourth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released in 1991 by Roadrunner Records. Upon its release, the album received top reviews from heavy metal magazines such as Rock Hard, Kerrang! and Metal Forces. Arise is considered Sepultura's finest hour among longtime fans. While the music on Arise was mostly in the same death/thrash style as their previous album, Beneath the Remains, it was clear that the Sepultura sound was acquiring an experimental edge.
A-Lex is the eleventh studio album by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura. It was released on January 23, 2009 by independent German record label SPV. This is the first album featuring drummer Jean Dolabella, since the departure of Igor Cavalera in 2006.
Worship Music is the tenth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released on September 12, 2011 internationally, and on September 13 in the United States. It was the band's first album of original material since 2003's We've Come for You All, the first full-length Anthrax album since the return of longtime vocalist Joey Belladonna, and the final album with guitarist Rob Caggiano prior to his departure in January 2013.
Dante XXI is the tenth studio album by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, released in 2006 through SPV Records. It is a concept album based on the three sections of Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy; Inferno (hell), Purgatorio (purgatory) and Paradiso (paradise). This is the last album to feature Igor Cavalera on drums.
Kairos is the twelfth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura. It was released on June 24, 2011 by independent German record label Nuclear Blast Records. This is the band's first release on the label, marking their first album not released on SPV/Steamhammer since 2001's Nation.
Eloy Casagrande is a Brazilian musician, best known as the former drummer of Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura. He is currently the drummer of Slipknot and Casagrande & Hanysz.
The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart is the thirteenth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura. It was released on October 25, 2013 in Europe on October 29 in the United States via Nuclear Blast. The album is based on the 1927 science fiction film Metropolis; its title is a quote from the film.
Quadra is the fifteenth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released on February 7, 2020. It is a concept album based on numerology, the number four and its significance as depicted on Quadrivium. The band went to Sweden to work with producer Jens Bogren for the recording of Quadra.
