Sepultura - Schizophrenia (1987)

I was suppose to see Sepultura live tonight, but due to poor pre-sales the promoter pulled the plug on the gig and the whole thing was cancelled. On the plus side, through a friend who is doing merchandise for one of the touring bands I was able to go out and hang with her as well as a few members of Sepultura (Paulo, Andreas and Jean), which isn't too bad at all. Therefore, you get a Sepultura review today. Something newer would probably be more appropriate, but, 'Arise' is the 'newest' album of theirs I own. So, will just go, way, way back then.

Anyway, 'Schizophrenia' was Sepultura's sophomore effort, which saw release in late October of 1987 when the members were between the ages of 17-18 years only, which is quite amazing considering the talent on display during this beast. This album also saw the band leaving their earlier death metal style music and shifting towards thrash metal, which they created three albums in before moving towards groove metal.

Although the production of this album is hardly dynamic it is worlds above in sound quality when compared to the abysmal debut offering, 'Morbid Visions,' which I do love, but what's most impressive about this recording is the bands performance as musicians and the overall song writing. Schizophrenia welcomed in new lead guitarist Andreas Kisser who absolutely crushes alongside Max Cavalera and between the two of them the listener is hit with a whirlwind of merciless riffs and killer solos. Likewise Igor's drumming sounds completely amazing, to say the least, as he blasts away at mad but quite technical and impressive furies, while Paulo's bass is there, but unfortunately suffers a bit through the production.

Basically from start to finish this album is one destructive onslaught of thrashing supremacy, which honestly no one came close to touching in 1987. After a short intro things kick into full gear with, 'From the Past Comes the Storms,' which is surely one of the best thrash songs ever and no doubt one that made all the Bay Area thrashers sweat a bit when they heard these youngsters from Brazil. However things just keep on going strongly with the catchy grooving, 'To the Wall' or the breathtaking fast paced instrumental, 'Inquisition Symphony,' which destroys all other thrash instrumentals, especially Metallica ones. You'll definitely be headbanging like a maniac to, 'Septic Schizo' and the brilliant closer, 'R.I.P. (Rest In Pain)' is utterly devastating. There's also a neat little acoustic instrumental called, 'The Abyss' as well the re-make of, 'Troops of Doom' fits in nicely as a bonus track (on the reissue).

For me its almost impossible to pick a favorite from the early Sepultura catalog, as those first four albums mean quite a bit to me and I've always hoped for a reunion of this classic line-up, but it will unfortunately probably never happen.

At least I got to bug Paulo about my love for early Sepultura today during lunch (Much to his annoyance, perhaps too, haha!).