Search - Sepultura :: Live at Sao Paolo

Not essential, but not bad

A. Stutheit | Denver, CO USA | 11/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Live In Sao Paulo" is Sepultura's fourth release since Derrick Green took over for departed co-founder Max Cavalera, and the group's first live album with Derrick behind the mic. Some fans will never let go of Max and accept Derrick as Sep's new main man, but it would be foolish not to give him a try. His vocal style is unabashedly one dimensional, but he does have a lot of potential, and (as some tracks show) even a little power. And, even though he usually isn't quite as effective as Max, he usually does such a good job at filling in Max's shoes that a newcomer shouldn't be able to tell if it's Derrick or the old guy, on such tracks as "Roots Bloody Roots."



I don't blame Sepultura for not playing a ton of Max-era songs, but, unfortunately, they forgot a few famous songs (i.e. "Kaiowas") that are normally staples of their live show.



Tracks four and five on the first disc (the double bass heavy "Propaganda," and the tribal influenced "Attitude"), are explosive songs, and both sound great, here. For track seven, Derrick announces "We're gonna play something older here," and the band launch into scorching renditions of "Innserself/Beneath The Remains" and "Escape To The Void." "Innerself" is flawed, though, because Derrick tries desperately but fails miserably at keeping up with the super-fast guitars, and he ultimately gets lost in the mix. Fortunately, "Escape To The Void" (and track eleven, "Necromancer") fly by without an audible flaw.



Songs number two and seven on the second disc ("Refuse/Resist" and "Biotech is Godzilla") are from 1993's "Chaos A.D." Derrick can't completely match Max's catchy singing on these songs, but, musically, these songs sound perfect, and just as good as the original/studio versions. Other highlights on the second C.D. include the catchy, churning "Territory," the blistering rendition of "Come Back Alive," and the Sepultura classic "Roots Bloody Roots" (which sounds awesome, here). "Arise/Dead Embryonic Cells" is also almost perfect, but, unfortunately, there is a loud, unexpected, shrieking sound (which might have come from Derrick's microphone) in the middle of the song.



Now, even I'll admit "Live In Sao Paulo" isn't an essential classic like Sepultura's first live album, 2002's "Under A Pale Grey Sky." But it is still a good live set, and well worth putting on your shopping list if you're a Sepultura diehard.



Finally, love him or hate him, I firmly believe that, no matter what record label they're under, Derrick Green is the future of Sepultura, and Sepultura are definitely here to stay."

Sepultura crushing Sao Paulo

MarijnZ | 11/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Obviously the reviewer ' MeTalHeaD4Ever "DEath" ' didn't listen to these CD's, because he mentions tracks (Spit) that aren't even on this 2CD-set.

What this CD-set displays is a raw and unedited testament of the sheer destruction that Sepultura leaves behind when playing live. The concert consists of 20 songs, picked out of all their albums from 1985 to 2003, plus one intro.

Put this CD in your CD-player and listen to the bone-chilling intro featuring all the intro's of all the albums mixed together. From the childish, primitive, 'evil' voice of Bestial Devastation, to the acoustic intro to Beneath the Remains, to the cricket noise of Roots and the amazing cello/guitar collaboration (Valtio) of Nation. When the intro fades away the audience chants 'Sepultura! Sepultura!' and the mayhem begins.

Relentless drumming, awesome guitar-riffing, vocals that send shivers down your spine.. Most of the older songs are sped up some more, and all are peformed flawlessly.

Some extra's are thrown in in the shape of Alex Camargo from Krisiun singing together with Derrick on Necromancer, Jairo Guedz (original Sepultura guitarist) playing rhythm on the aforementioned track and Troops of Doom, Joao Gordo from RDP 'singing' along on Reza and Biotech is Godzilla.

The only place of rest on this CD is Bullet the Blue Sky, an harshened cover of U2, and a cover of Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos originally by Public Enemy.



While the mix and production may not be perfect, these discs should get in your CD-player, volume on 10, and thrash away!

The peformance is amazingly tight, the audience shouts and songs along, the song choice is excellent, and the guys from Seps clearly enjoy it all!



Get this, and the Double-DVD, and enjoy it until Sepultura come to a town near you - wich is an even better experience than the DVD or CD set!

The waiting is for their next studio album, Dante XXI, next year..."

Surprisingly their best with Derrick

Gunther Haagendazs | Up High in the Trees | 07/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Upon seeing the track list for Sepultura's Live In Sao Paulo, I was actually surprised upon seeing so many songs from their Max era. I figured that since there were a lot of my favorites that maybe this wouldn't be too bad. I haven't been particularly favorable of Against, Nation, Revolusongs or Roorback, and have given them only 2 or 3 stars. Though I'm surprised that they released the show on CDs and DVDs instead of one jumbo pack, I bought both of them used and for a much cheaper price and for the most part, I was not disappointed. Derrick did a pretty decent job on this recording as did the rest of the band, especially Igor who sadly just recently left the band after releasing Dante XXI. An interesting thing about this concert is how many special guests there are. Gordo sings on Reza and Biotech is Godzilla, original guitarist Jairo T. rejoins the band for Troops of Doom and Necromancer and Krisiun joins Derrick in the growling for Necromancer. In a surprising move, the band also performed their cover of the Public Enemy song Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos and while it is rap with actual music, it actually fits amongst all the Metal in a weird sort of way mostly because it actually has a message unlike the Rap of today. As a whole, this concert is very solid and worth the money. If you hate Derrick to the extent where you don't like anything he's done with Sepultura; then avoid this. If you like a few Sepultura songs with him; get this CD or DVD set, you will not be disappointed. If you are already a big Derrick fan then why don't you have this by now?



Despite this being an awesome concert, it has its share of flaws.



1. Derrick really needs to learn to play guitar. Other than two track from Roorback (Apes of God and Mindwar), only Andreas is playing the guitar. As a result, this takes something away from a handful of tracks; most noticeably Escape to the Void as the beginning solo is missing and just makes the song feel awkward.

2. Speaking of Escape to the Void, why is it that that seems to be the only track from Schizophrenia that the band plays anymore?

3. The volume of Derrick's mic should have been turned up more. This is most noticeable on Necromancer where he competes with Alex Carmargo of Krisiun whose voice is crystal clear and completely buries Derrick.

4. Dead Embryonic Cells should be played in its entirety.

5. The fact that you have to buy this concert twice on CD and DVD, the DVD is the better of the two obviously is a little irritating.

6. The packaging is exactly the same as the DVD only, shrunk into CD form, though that is to be expected.

7. Under a Pale Grey Sky while not an official release, is still easily superior to this.





With the exception of these seven problems, Live in Sao Paulo is an excellent 2 Disc set that most Sepultura fans should enjoy both new and old. And definitely check out the DVD set as well. Hoped this helped.

"