SOULFLY
Dark Ages
(Roadrunner Records)

Soulfly’s predecessor, Sepultura, is a severely influential act in ‘90s heavy metal circles. The band integrated elements like complex guitar lines and atmospheric arrangements into the then no-frills death metal genre. Sepultura eventually dug up their Brazilian Roots, Bloody Roots (their fourth album) and created their own brand of “jungle metal.â€? After that, frontman Max Cavalera wanted to take the Sepultura sound further. The rest of the band, including Max’s brother Igor, didn’t. Hence, Max split and Soulfly was born. Though the project retains the brutality Sepultura was lauded for, it is comprised of bits from almost every music genre imaginable: reggae, hip-hop, drum and bass, world music — the proverbial kitchen sink. And while Soulfly’s fifth release, Dark Ages, still projects that diversity on a grand scale, this mosh pit capoiera soundtrack is closer to Sepultura than previous Soulfly efforts. Guitar aficionados will be duly impressed by former Ill Nino guitarist Mark Rizzo, who carries off his intricate solos with flair, and the lyrics could be a little more original than a constant string of F- – -s, but this is an otherwise very enjoyable disc. And you don’t have to be a metalhead to appreciate the beauty of the last instrumental track, “Soulfly V.â€? Definitely recommended.

See this review in its original context on American Wired here.