SEPULTURA RETURNS WITH QUADRA

Here are some of the albums that are being released today:

Stone Temple Pilots – Perdida

This release is kind of odd to me. I love this band and think that the DeLeo’s are geniuses when it comes to composing rock-based music. Every one of their albums has had an acoustic aspect to it, the self-titled album which debuted Jeff Gutt as the band’s lead singer was no different.

But what has always captured my attention is when they push the limits and bring heavier aspects into their music. So an all-acoustic album is kind of not what I wanted from the band.

The title means a loss in Spanish or refers to lost in a female tense, which is kind of how the word is used in the title track, as if it’s a woman that’s come and gone, in other words, lost. These tracks are beautifully put together, and layered, like most, would expect by the band.

And there have been acoustic albums like Sap and Jar Of Flies by Alice In Chains that have been great. Eerie, murky, very captivating, making you feel the essence and vibe of the band in those tracks. And STP has done that in the past, tracks like “Pretty Penny” have a certain vibe to them, that are infectious in nature.

This album, however, just kind of loses me because it’s kind of the aspects of the band’s music that I don’t care as much about. I’d honestly prefer something in the vein of “Roll Me Under”, but that’s just me. People are still going to love this album, die-hards will think I’m crazy, but so be it. That’s why we all have our own opinions.

Sepultura – Quadra

I love how people still get bent out of shape about Derrick Green being the lead singer of this band. And how it seems as if people lose sleep over one person being in or out of a band.

Because you don’t enjoy a certain band’s lineup, doesn’t mean other people can’t enjoy that very same band. At this point in time, Max Cavalera was only in the band for eleven years, while Derrick has fronted the band for double that, twenty-two years.

There will always be shit being flung between camps, and let’s face it none of us will ever know what really went down, even if it’s being told by someone there. Much like any breakup, if you only hear one side, you’re not getting the whole picture, as the truth is usually somewhere in the middle of both stories.

Ultimately we have several bands that have splintered off like Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, etc. that we can all enjoy, even if you don’t enjoy this iteration of the band. I happen to always find something good off of each of the albums that feature Derrick.

As a result, the band has always found a way to capture my attention. Much like Marc Rizzo in Max’s bands, people seem to always underestimate Andreas Kisser, his songwriting, and the distinct playing he has always added to the band. Max was kind of lost until he found Marc, due to the fact that he worked so well with Andreas.

Not saying his music was bad, but Marc elevated things to the next level. I think the same can kind of be said about Sepultura, although, again they’ve had good material on each album, they really didn’t get back into the groove until they realized, this is the way, this is how we do it.

The album is heavy and punishing, as you would expect from this era of the band, while continuously adding new elements that have evaded them in the past. This is a must-have if you’ve followed the band all these years.

Richie Kotzen – 50 For 50

Richie has been one of those guys that have always had a following. Whether he’s focused on blues, shredding, being in a band, or solo, he’s always had a pretty loyal and die-hard fan base. The first time I heard him was on the Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey Soundtrack, with the song “Dream Of A New Day”, which is still a favorite of mine.

This album sees him meander between various styles of music, after all with 50 songs, there is plenty of ground that can be covered. This is also his 22nd solo album, and it is being released to celebrate his 50th birthday, hence the title 50 for 50.

Green Day – Father Of All…

The band has come a long way since 39/Smooth and their “pop-punk” leanings, the comparisons to 70s bands like The Clash, the huge hit with Dookie, big hits along the way like “Time Of Your Life” or the album that took them to the next level, American Idiot.

From there, things have been up and down with their albums, personal lives, etc.  Their new album Father Of All… pushes them in a 70s glam rock vibe like The Sweet, and mixing it with aspects of pop-rock that bands like U2 have traversed in the past.  That’s not to say they’re selling out or anything like that, because lord only knows elitists from the Kerplunk era, probably bailed around Dookie.

This band has always evolved and mixed different things into their music along the way.  So at this point, it shouldn’t really surprise anyone that they’ve turned the screw a little further on their brand of music.

Here are some other releases that may peak your interest:

Delain – Apocalypse & Chill

Supersuckers – Play That Rock N’ Roll

God Dethroned – Illuminati

Sylosis – Cycle of Suffering

Assassin – Bestia Immundis

Those Damn Crows – Point Of No Return

Ye Banished Privateers – Hostis Humani Generis

Svart Crown – Wolves Among The Ashes

Napalm Death – Logic Ravaged By Brute Force EP

Avenged Sevenfold – Diamonds In The Rough Reissue

Haunt – Burst Into Demos

Article by Victor M. Ruiz of Mars Attacks Radio & Podcast, and Galaxy Of Geeks Podcast.  Connect with him on Twitter:  @vmr907