Now before I begin that 39% that you can see up there is not a typo but in fact my honest opinion condensed into percentage. Did I want to give it that? In all honesty, no seeing as I have fond memories of this album when I first visited my dad back in the late nineties. I was at the mere age of six at the time of hearing this album for the first time and I was stunned, stunned at how heavy the whole thing was. Not long ago I decided to revisit some of the old classics that he used to play which included this. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost my copy so I tracked it down, a thirteen (I am certain the original was 12?) track version. How delightful, a new song I hadn't heard from the Brazilian thrash masters little did I know that this 13th track would bring some disappointment but more on that later.

Upon pressing play, I am greeted with the sound of an old favourite of mine "Refuse/Resist" still sounding as good as ever. Groovy, catchy riffs and simple, yet very ear catching vocals that are about anti-war (with some thought put into them) that I still find myself singing along to and still air guitaring to the solo at the fast parts, nothing wrong there. Simple, straight to the point metal with some kick to it and still as memorable as ever. "Territory" follows again in a similar fashion peppered with a sizzling, jumpy bassline. A brilliant start to an album which then descends into "Slave New World" with its doom metal laced introduction and upbeat tempo again, nothing's changed here I still find this enjoyable. Unfortunately, from here on it starts to get weak in the song writing department.

I have noticed now that I am a little older that the filler on this album completely outweighs the amount of good content here. Take for example, "Amen", now don't get me wrong the concept here is fantastic it is written in the style of a prayer. However, it seems that the Cavalera brothers and co. have already began to run out of ideas and this is the track where it begins to really show. The song starts off great with a nasty bass intro but then quickly turns stale. The backing vocals are terrible, it picks up a little into the verse but that's about the only interesting thing this song has. It honestly sounds like the band have gotten bored very quickly just playing random nonsense and I know Sepultura (with this line up) can construct far better. "Kaiowas", is in my eyes plain filler. "Propaganda" starts off okay but I don't like that guitar tone at the start and unfortunately, this album has that in a few places. The first half is relatively good but then it goes to something of a break down followed by a poor excuse for a solo. "Biotech" again is just plain filler but I like the concept behind the lyrics even if they are repeating the same thing over and over (if you think this song is the worst for this, wait until later).

The next song "Nomad" is practically a snooze-fest throughout most of it and it contains yet another irritating guitar tone in the intro which can only be described as a robot squeezing out a massive shit. "Clenched Fist" is another one which has some weird squeaky guitar intro being chugged out repeatedly and also has this sprinkled across the song. I found these to be forgettable almost immediately. Now then, remember when I spoke about "Biotech is Godzilla" and how that was an offender for repetition in the lyrical department? Well, this next song "We Who Are Not as Others" is the pinnacle of piss take, read that title and repeat it 6 more times and voila there's your lyrics. Coupled with shitty backing vocals and an utterly useless introduction. A prime example of no thought being put into some of these songs. "Manifest" makes for a good tranqueliser what with all of the slow parts being played for far too long balanced with a forgettable solo and a slight chugfest later on. Chaos A.D also includes a cover of "The Hunt" by The New Model Army and I feel that this doesn't belong here at all it sounds like a rock a band in a mid life crisis. Now, throughout this I found myself taking a break every now and then but this "13th" track (of which I do not remember being on my dad's version) takes the fucking piss. I switched it off half way and do you want to know why? It sounds like a pensioner decided to pick up "Refuse/Resist" and decided that they were going to slam it through FL Studio whilst attempting to learn the program in the process and no, I am not joking it's an electro remix done very badly.


To sum up, I would say that I am genuinely disappointed with this as I remember it being so much better it's like hearing for the first time that Santa does not exist. I probably should have just left those good memories for what they are, memories. Sepultura only got worse from here on and it's a bloody shame. I just wish they came to the studio with a few more ideas. A very forgettable album. Favourite tracks: "Refuse/Resist", "Territory", "Slave New World".