At the iconic theatre in Hammersmith (that concert-goers of a certain age still think of as Hammersmith Odeon – I first saw Sepultura perform here in June 1991), there is a palpable anticipation in the air as an expectant audience await the arrival of this legendary metal band. As Black Sabbath’s War Pigs fills the venue, the crowd sing along with vibrant enthusiasm.
From the moment the quartet take the stage and the first notes of Refuse / Resist reverberate through the venue, it is clear that this is going to be a memorable evening. Following the opening track, another pair of songs from Chaos AD - a blistering version of Territory and the more deliberate, stomping groove of Slave New World – are enough to send the crowd wild, early in the set. The audience’s involvement throughout the evening is nothing short of extraordinary with fans of all ages, some who had clearly been with the band from the days of albums such as Beneath The Remains, united in their fervour.
Each member of the band is vital to the success of their performance and tonight, they are as tight as they have ever been. Derrick Green stands as a fulcrum of Sepultura’s kinetic energy. His vocal prowess is a visceral force, oscillating between guttural growls and soaring invocations. Green’s stage presence is a maelstrom of charisma and intensity, his every movement and utterance resonating through the hallowed halls. Andreas Kisser gives a masterclass in dexterity and innovation; his ability to traverse the spectrum of sound – from the ferocious staccato of thrash, to tracks which employ undulating grooves – imbues the music with a dynamic and multi-faceted character. Paulo Jr’s bass continues to act as the subterranean anchor for the quartet; his unerring precision grounds the more frenetic elements of their sound. New drummer Greyson Nekrutman has seamlessly integrated into the band and he masterfully skips between traditional Brazilian rhythms and the aggressive tempos of metal.
With a meticulously curated setlist that takes the audience on a journey through the band’s extensive discography – almost every studio album is revisited through at least one song - Sepultura demonstrate that the band have continued to make amazing music during the last twenty-five years and the synergy of Sepultura’s performance means they switch between the different eras of the band’s music with ease. Choke and False are followed by a monumental Escape From The Void from 1987’s Schizophrenia; Kairos (one of the best tracks recorded with Derrick) sees every pair of hands in the air and Dead Embryonic Cells retains its biting, venomous anger. Quadra - the most recent album, having been released in 2020 – is represented through three tracks: Means To An End, Guardians of Earth and Agony of Defeat, each of which receive a raucous reception.
On what has been billed as their farewell tour (although no mention is made of this on stage, beyond the fact that Sepultura are celebrating their fortieth year), the band have been playing to sold out venues and this, the last date of the UK leg, is no exception. Hammersmith is the perfect location for this momentous concert. The lighting and stage effects are masterfully executed, enhancing the intensity of the performance without overshadowing the music. Different hues complement the themes and emotions of each track, creating a multi-sensory experience that draws the audience deeper into the world of Sepultura. For Kaiowas, a multitude of drums are brought out on stage and members of the crew and support bands join for an electrifying version of a track characterised by its rhythmic complexity and melodic resonance. Derrick Green joins the percussive collective for the instrumental, which originally was made in honour of a tribe that committed collective suicide in protest against the government that wanted to drive them off the land of their ancestors. It is a powerful moment indeed.
As the concert approaches its conclusion, the final few songs take us, once again, back to the earliest days of the band with Troops of Doom, Inner Self and the title track from Arise, which threatens to destroy the very foundations of the venue. After briefly departing from the stage, the band return with a moment in the limelight for Greyson Nekrutman when his drum solo blends into the intense beats of Ratamahatta during which the entirety of the venue bounce in unison. Traditional closer, Roots Bloody Roots, brings an exhilarating evening to a close.
There is uniformly positive chatter as the crowd file out into the cold London air and they reflect upon a concert during which the four musicians of Sepultura coalesced into a formidable entity, their individual contributions melding into a cohesive and enthralling whole. It is difficult to believe this might be the last time we see such an important and well loved band in this country. However, tonight was testament to the enduring power of rhythm and the indomitable spirit of metal, during which Sepultura provided a cathartic experience that will leave an indelible mark on all who were present.
Sepultura Setlist
Refuse/Resist
Territory
Slave New World
Phantom Self
Attitude
Means To An End
Kairos
Corrupted
Guardians Of Earth
Choke
False
Escape To The Void
Kaiowas
Dead Embryonic Cells
Agony Of Defeat
Orgasmatron (Motörhead cover)
Troops Of Doom
Inner Self
Arise
Ratamahatta
Roots Bloody Roots