Review: Sepultura @ The Gov 28/11/23
‘Agony Of Defeat’ transformed the event from a metal show to a thrilling theatrical exhibition.
Words by Will Oakeshott
"Why would heavy metal ever go away?” - Scott Ian.
Leave it to one of the heavy metal greats to mastermind a quote that has immeasurable strength and resilience about the genre. Although Mr Ian was not performing with the adored Anthrax on this night, his words screamed the truth as a sold-out Governor Hindmarsh welcomed the Brazilian battlers and arguable torchbearers of groove thrash Sepultura.
After five long years, a pandemic and armed with an incredible album, Quadra - the guardians of groove metal had returned and they were ‘Relentless’. Canberra’s DepriVation were called upon to enrich the capacity crowd as an opener and as vocalist Benn Weber inspiringly welcomed the attendees, the quartet were “Here to get groovy.”
‘Quick And The Dead’ was a fitting title for their superbly fast groove death metal formula that had onlookers’ horns up and necks dislocating. ‘Left For Dead’ impossibly combined Lamb Of God’s NWOAHM with the math-metal breakdowns of The Dillinger Escape Plan. ‘Blood Money’ was strong evidence why the four-piece were invited to play the wickedly wonderful Wacken Festival this year and closer ‘Murder Your Excuses’ showcased some monstrous early Killswitch Engage excellence.
Mr Weber acknowledged the band’s affection for Adelaide as one of their favourite places to tour and to show his appreciation properly, he decided that performing offstage with his favourite South Australians, without shoes, was the best blessing. What a year for Adelaide’s thrash trio Hidden Intent - having also played Wacken festival, Bloodstock Festival and shows around Europe and Australia, including a blazing appearance at the recent Froth & Fury festival; the three-piece know how to bring ‘Good Friday Thrash’ on a Tuesday.
‘A Place Of Horror’ had the audience shouting the “Killer Killer” gang vocal louder than the band with fists in the air. ‘Dead End Destiny’ brought the crowd cardio exercise with a circle pit, and ‘Drop Bears Are Real’ brought the crass language, continuous fun and Las Vegas' Spirit World energy with a down under motif. ‘Addicted To Thrash’ was the highlight with guitarist Phil Bennett taking his stage stomping into the audience and bassist/vocalist Chris McEwen ensuring his gruff vocals put extra rave in this ravenous extravaganza. A grand entrance to the soundtrack of ‘Isolation’ welcomed the illustrious quartet Sepultura back to The Gov’s platform, a venue they were very affiliated with and knew as one of their Adelaide homes.
The cinematic and futuristic sounding introduction acts as a flawless marching backdrop before the machine gun fire rhythm pulsates and Derrick Green’s savage growl seizes the attention of possibly the entire South Australian population. A political throwback groove track ‘Territory’ provoked a resounding sing-along and then ‘Means To An End’ let drummer Eloy Casagrande really shine from beyond human velocity, to soulful tribal percussion seemingly without effort. ‘Propaganda’ was a time travel venture proving how timeless Sepultura are as a mainstay in the metal universe and then ‘Guardians Of Earth’ more-than-confirmed the significance of the four-piece. The track was written as an unveiling of the importance of the Amazonian people, environment and the incalculable necessity to save this historical and beautiful area and culture. It left Adelaide in awe.
‘Dead Embryonic Cells’ shook the grounds with a thunderous groove breakdown which impossibly enhanced ‘Agony Of Defeat’. This transformed the event from a metal show to a thrilling theatrical exhibition. It was orchestral and honestly breathtaking. ‘Arise’ put pedal to the METAL with its death thrash, but it was the encore of ‘Ratamahatta’ leading into ‘Roots Bloody Roots’ that really incited the chaos.
“Why would heavy metal ever go away?” Sepultura will be celebrating 40 years together in 2024 - “how?" one may ask. How about a live LP featuring 40 songs from 40 different cities - there is ‘The Sworn Oath’.
