Andreas Kisser on the Cavalera Brothers’ Re-Recorded Sepultura Albums: “Disrespectful”
In the world of heavy metal, few band names carry as much weight as Sepultura. The Brazilian thrash band, formed in 1984, has been at the forefront of the genre for decades. With a sound that spans thrash, death, and groove metal, Sepultura earned a global following, especially in the 1990s, when albums like Chaos A.D. (1993) and Roots (1996) cemented their place in metal history. But as with many iconic bands, Sepultura’s path has been anything but smooth. Internal strife, lineup changes, and differing musical visions led to the eventual departure of key members, including founding guitarist and co-vocalist Max Cavalera.
In recent years, Max and his brother, drummer Igor Cavalera, have re-recorded several of Sepultura‘s classic albums, including Beneath the Remains (1989) and Arise (1991). This move, intended to give the albums a fresh take and reconnect with fans of their earlier sound, has sparked controversy—particularly with Andreas Kisser, the band’s guitarist since 1987.
Kisser, who remains the longest-serving member of Sepultura, has been vocal about his displeasure with the re-recordings, calling them “disrespectful” to the band’s legacy. His remarks have reignited a long-standing debate about the rights to the Sepultura name and the significance of the band’s original recordings. For many fans, the Cavalera brothers’ re-recordings raise questions about artistic integrity, ownership, and the legacy of the pioneering thrash metal band.
The History of Sepultura and the Cavalera Split
To understand Kisser’s stance on the re-recordings, it’s important to look back at Sepultura’s history and the events leading up to the departure of Max and Igor Cavalera.
Max and Igor were part of the original Sepultura lineup, along with bassist Paulo Jr. and Kisser. Together, they forged the sound that defined Sepultura in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Albums like Beneath the Remains, Arise, and Chaos A.D. showcased a band that was always evolving, blending thrash metal with social commentary, political themes, and a mix of influences from Brazilian music.
However, the band’s success was also marked by increasing tensions between Max and the rest of the group, particularly Andreas Kisser. In 1996, Max and Igor left Sepultura after a tumultuous period during the recording of Roots. The band was at a crossroads, with Max taking a more experimental, world music-inspired approach, while the remaining members, especially Kisser, wanted to continue developing their signature thrash sound.
After the split, Max formed Soulfly, which allowed him to explore his creative freedom, while Sepultura continued on with Kisser at the helm. Despite their success after the departure of the Cavalera brothers, the rift between the two factions remained palpable, with both sides occasionally taking jabs at each other in interviews.
The Re-Recordings: A New Take on the Old Classics
In 2020, Max and Igor Cavalera began re-recording classic Sepultura albums. The two released Sepultura – Under My Skin in 2020, a reimagined version of Beneath the Remains, followed by a re-recording of Arise in 2021. These re-releases were done under the name Cavalera Conspiracy, a project that Max and Igor had already launched in 2007. This re-recording endeavor sought to revive the early Sepultura sound, using modern production techniques and Igor’s heavy drumming style, which had been integral to the band’s success.
The Cavalera brothers’ version of Sepultura was met with mixed reactions. Some fans welcomed the chance to relive the old material with a fresh take, while others saw the project as a misguided attempt to capitalize on the legacy of Sepultura without fully acknowledging the contributions of the other members of the band, particularly Kisser.
Kisser, who was still part of Sepultura when the re-recordings were announced, did not mince words in his response. He described the re-recordings as “disrespectful” to the band’s legacy, suggesting that the Cavalera brothers were attempting to rewrite history in a way that ignored the contributions of the other members. Kisser’s comments made it clear that he viewed the re-recordings as an affront to the work that had been done by the band since the Cavalera brothers’ departure.
Kisser’s Criticism: A Disrespect to the Legacy
For Kisser, the issue with the Cavalera brothers’ re-recordings is not just about ownership of the material but about artistic integrity. In an interview with Metal Hammer, Kisser explained his stance, noting that he and his bandmates had invested years into crafting Sepultura‘s sound after Max and Igor left. He argued that the albums re-recorded by the Cavalera brothers were not simply relics of the past, but a reflection of a collective effort, with multiple musicians contributing to their evolution.
“I think it’s disrespectful,” Kisser said of the re-recordings. “They are not only taking the songs, they are taking the entire legacy of Sepultura and making it their own.” His point is that the legacy of Sepultura was built on collaboration, and it was unfair to erase the contributions of the band’s later members.
Kisser’s critique touches on a sensitive issue: who owns a band’s identity? For Kisser, Sepultura‘s evolution after Max and Igor’s departure is just as important as the early years. He is adamant that the band’s later albums—such as Roots, Nation, and Roorback—represent a different but equally significant period in the band’s history. The re-recordings, Kisser argues, attempt to rewrite that history and diminish the contributions of the musicians who helped shape the band’s sound after the Cavalera brothers left.
The Cavalera Brothers’ Defense
Max and Igor Cavalera, for their part, have defended the re-recordings as a way to reconnect with the fans and celebrate Sepultura‘s legacy. Max has frequently stated that the decision to re-record the albums was born out of a desire to bring a new generation of listeners to Sepultura‘s early music, while still preserving the essence of the band’s original sound.
“We wanted to do something that fans of the old albums would appreciate but also give the new generation a taste of what Sepultura was all about,” Max explained in an interview. “We’re not trying to erase the past, but to celebrate it in a new way.”
Max’s comments reveal a different perspective—one that focuses on artistic rejuvenation. For the Cavalera brothers, the re-recordings were a way to inject new life into their classic material. They have stated that they believe the new versions do justice to the original recordings, adding a modern touch without sacrificing the spirit of the music.
However, this defense has done little to quell the backlash from Kisser and other members of the Sepultura camp. The criticism stems from a deeper issue: who has the right to control the band’s legacy? While Max and Igor may view the re-recordings as a tribute, Kisser sees them as a distortion of the band’s identity.
The Ownership Debate
At the core of this dispute lies a debate about ownership—both of the music and the identity of Sepultura. Over the years, Sepultura has been more than just a band; it has been a symbol of Brazil’s place in the global metal scene. The conflict between Max and Kisser represents more than just a personal rift; it symbolizes the tension between two visions of what Sepultura stands for.
For Kisser, the right to continue using the Sepultura name lies with the musicians who have carried it forward. After all, Kisser himself has been a part of Sepultura for almost 40 years, and the band’s later albums have expanded the boundaries of what Sepultura can be. He feels that the re-recordings undermine the efforts of the band to grow and evolve.
Max and Igor, on the other hand, view Sepultura‘s legacy as something they helped create. Their vision of the band—represented by the early thrash and death metal of Beneath the Remains and Arise—is deeply ingrained in their identity as musicians. Their re-recordings are their way of returning to that initial vision and celebrating their roots.
Conclusion: A Divided Legacy
The ongoing feud between Andreas Kisser and the Cavalera brothers reflects a fundamental divide in the metal community: the tension between honoring the past and embracing evolution. For Kisser, Sepultura is a living, breathing entity that has evolved with each lineup change, while for Max and Igor, the band’s identity is rooted in the early years when they created the foundation that Sepultura would build upon.
As the years go on, it seems unlikely that the two sides will reconcile. Kisser continues to lead Sepultura, pushing the band forward, while Max and Igor continue to celebrate the early Sepultura years with their re-recordings. The fans are left to navigate the complexities of the band’s legacy, grappling with the question of whether the re-recordings truly honor the spirit of Sepultura or whether they represent an attempt to rewrite history.
Regardless of which side fans choose to support, the conflict between Kisser and the
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