For Week Ending:
6 July 2024

Cavalera - Schizophrenia (2024)

[Thrash Metal]

The Cavalera brothers have completed their re-recordings of the original Sepultura trio of albums with easily the best of the three, both in terms of the song writing and performance. Whereas 2023's new versions of 'Bestial Devastation' and 'Morbid Visions' sounded a little unsure of themselves in places, almost as if the brothers were being cautious not to overdo things, the new version of 'Schizophrenia' hits with full force as if nothing has been held back. 'From The Past Comes The Storms' explodes into life with lo-fi retro-style force, showcasing the simple yet powerful riffs of early Sepultura in a way the original recording barely even hinted at. Every song on the album is given a second chance at life, and in every case far exceeds the original. It isn't just the better production that makes tracks like 'Escape To The Void' and 'Screams Behind The Shadows' classics that never were, but it is also the 30 years of experience in between that make so much difference. Whereas in the original Max's guitar would sometimes sound thin and out of tune, or Igor's frantic drumming was not quite as skilled yet as he had hoped, here the performers are seasoned veterans that are perfectly in sync. Max's voice has a (deliberate) old-school feel and charm about it, and although the production is light years beyond the original, it has still been given a 1980s feel to add to the authenticity. 'Inquisition Symphony' finally gets its chance to shine as the masterwork it is, and the lone new track 'Nightmares Of Delirium', a relic of the time, closes the album nicely (but not as well as the original closer 'R.I.P. (Rest In Pain)'). Whilst the first two re-recordings of their earlier material in 2023 gave a better insight into the early band and a refreshing take on the songs, 'Schizophrenia' goes one step further revealing an album that given better production at the time would possibly still be talked about today as an early thrash classic.

Release Information
'Schizophrenia' is the sixth studio album by Cavalera Conspiracy. It is the third re-recording of older Sepultura material, following the 'Bestial Devastation' E.P. and 'Morbid Visions' album from the year before.

Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark (1992)

[Heavy Metal]

I had mates at school in the 80's that were big Iron Maiden fans. I was on the thrash path with Metallica, Anthrax, Sepultura etc. It wasn't until the early 90's that I decided to take a listen. Bought 'No Prayer For The Dying' and 'Fear Of The Dark' as they came out. I don't think they were hits with the true IM fans, but for me, I liked them. I could have chosen to review either, but have chosen 'Fear'. Again, still being a 'raw' fan, you see right from track 1 what a heck of a voice Dickinson has. The way he holds a note - he tops my previous love in Belladonna. In any case I see it as an enjoyable listen. Not particularly earth-moving, but some catchy songs that easily deserve many re-listens. Of most surprise is the final track that ends up the lead single and the only song from this album that has a permanent spot in their live concerts. Apart from this, highlights for me are the opening track and to be honest I skip to the final track "Fear Of The Dark". The middle songs are OK, but no standouts really. For whatever reason Dickinson left the band, only to return 7 years later. It's weird how successful bands can be so disruptive. Anyway this effort was never going to turn me into a devout IM fan.

Arist Information
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in East London in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Although fluid in the early years of the band, the line-up for most of the band's history has consisted of Harris, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson, guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers, and drummer Nicko McBrain. As pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, Iron Maiden released a series of UK and US Platinum and Gold albums, including 1980's debut album, 1981's 'Killers', and 1982's 'The Number Of The Beast'. In fact, 'The Number Of The Beast' is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide and the band's first album with Bruce Dickinson, who replaced Paul Di'Anno as lead singer in 1981. The addition of Dickinson was a turning point in their career.

Release Information
'Fear Of The Dark' is the ninth studio album by Iron Maiden. It was their third studio release to top the U.K. Albums Chart, and the last to feature Bruce Dickinson as the group's lead vocalist until his return in 1999. It was also the first album to be produced by bassist and band founder Steve Harris, and the last album to feature the work of producer Martin Birch, who retired after its release.