Sepultura A-Lex Review

As a Sepultura fan of about 16 or 17 years, it’s tough for me to listen to a post-96 Sepultura album. When Soulfly came out I was stoked. I liked the album, but these days the only one I have found to be good is their latest, Conquer. To most people Sepultura without Max is like Iron Maiden without Bruce Dickinson. It might sound similar but it doesn’t have the same feel to it.

When Against came out in 1998 I wanted to except it just like I wanted to except Judas Priest’s Jugulator the year before. With both of these albums came a few listens for the first day or so. It was kind of cool at first but it didn’t feel or sound right and soon after, all listening ceased. Derek Green’s voice over the signature sound of Andreas Kisser’s guitar tone and Igor Cavalera’s drum beats didn’t take. It didn’t take like Rick Allen’s arm didn’t take to reattachment. Needless to say I didn’t run out and snatch up Nation, Roorback or Dante XXI. Out of curiosity I had to check out A-Lex, though.

Being a concept album, you have to go in to it with an open mind. You have to think of the song writing as it revolves around the subject matter. In A-Lex, it revolves around A Clockwork Orange. If you’ve read the book or have seen the movie, then you can imagine what this is based around. A violent person that get’s caught and convicted of a crime after various other crimes. He then brainwashed in a “Rehabilitating” way and is made to feel sick when he thinks of a perverse or violent acts and even things he loves. The songs and lyrics follow through while fitting the story.

I don’t need to sit here and break down this album on a musical theory level to tell you that it’s pretty good. The music is catchy enough to want to listen to it more than once. Derek Greens’s voice fits the music as Andreas’ guitar, while not sounding like anything epic, still holds true to his style. A-Lex is a heavy hitting album from beginning to end and even with the track Ludwig Van, which is a track of guitar, string and horn renditions of Beethoven, which is actually really cool if you appreciate music.

So even though I can’t say that I’m a fan of the modern Sepultura, I can say that this is a good record. Nothing ground-breaking and epic, but a good (Modern) Sepultura sounding record. If I went back to basing reviews on a star or numbered system I would give it at least 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

If you have never read the book or watch the Stanley Kubrick movie of A Clockwork Orange, rent it, Borrow it from the library if you prefer a book. Whatever you do, what or read it with an open mind and appreciation for the story.

Image: Amazon.com