SEPULTURA – Machine Messiah (January 13, 2017)

Brazilian heavy metal icons, Sepultura, will unleash their upcoming studio album through Nuclear Blast on January 13, 2017.

Inspired by the robotization of our society, the album is titled Machine Messiah and was produced by the band and Jens Bogren (Soilwork, Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The stunning cover artwork of Machine Messiah was created by Filipino artist Camille Dela Rosa.

Guitarist Andreas Kisser explains the concept behind the album:

“I found the work of Camille Dela Rosa during some research I was doing to look for alternative artists to work on the cover of our new album. I had the concept in my mind and the name of the album, Machine Messiah, but that didn’t matter much since I was looking for different styles and ideas, different artists. When I saw her paintings I was really impressed by her style, full of colors and meaning, very unique and alive! She comes from the Philippines, a place where we performed some years ago and we could feel the intensity of their culture, very powerful! She has that power in her paintings and drawings!

The main inspiration around Machine Messiah is the robotization of our society nowadays. The concept of a God Machine who created humanity and now it seems that this cycle is closing itself, returning to the starting point. We came from machines and we are going back to where we came from. The messiah, when he returns, will be a robot, or an humanoid, our biomechanical savior.

The painting Deus Ex-Machina is a masterpiece! I was really shocked to see how her concept of the painting was a perfect fit to our concept! The cover was done 6 years ago for our new album and she didn’t know it! Neither did I but I’m glad we crossed each other’s paths. Camille’s work is intense and in your face. We are lucky to have such a great artist working with us, she’s kind and very talented. She brings something new and exciting to a career of 32 years during which amazing artists have created memorable and iconic album covers.

I’m very happy with everything about Machine Messiah, it is a Sepultura album but with a new direction and intensity, a new musical challenge, a step forward! Can’t wait to show the world our music for the new Messiah coming.”

Machine Messiah track listing

1. “Machine Messiah”
2. “I Am The Enemy”
3. “Phantom Self”
4. “Alethea”
5. “Iceberg Dances”
6. “Sworn Oath”
7. “Resistant Parasites”
8. “Silent Violence”
9. “Vandals Nest”
10. “Cyber God”

Formed in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera the band was a major force in the thrash metal and groove metal genres during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments drawing influence from alternative metal, world music, nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial metal.

Sepultura has had several changes in its lineup since its formation, with Max and Igor Cavalera departing in 1996 and 2006, respectively. Sepultura‘s current lineup consists of vocalist Derrick Green, guitarist Andreas Kisser, bassist Paolo Jnr. and drummer Eloy Casagrande. Since Igor Cavalera‘s departure in 2006, there have been no original members left in the band. Paulo Jr. and Kisser, who joined Sepultura in 1985 and 1987 respectively, are the only members to appear on every album.