Against is the seventh studio album by Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura, released in 1998 through Roadrunner Records. It is the band's first release with new singer/guitarist Derrick Green, who replaced Max Cavalera in 1997.

Album information

Like Roots that preceded it, not only does the album have a variety of guest musicians, but also incorporates a great deal of tribal influences — this time Japanese elements with the assistance of Japanese Taiko group, Kodo.

The songs Against, Choke and Tribus were released as singles, with a music video accompanying Choke. The video featured footage from the Barulho Contra Fome (Noise Against Hunger) concert that was the first gig of the Against tour. This famous performance included guest appearances from the Xavantes Tribe who'd featured on Roots (whose appearance is documented in the Choke video) as well as Mike Patton, Jason Newsted, Carlinhos Brown, original Sepultura-guitarist Jairo Guedz and Coffin Joe (whose 'blessing' of the band performed during this concert turned up as a b-side entitled 'Prenuncio' on the Tribus E.P.).

The flute section of Kamaitachi performed by Kodo is very heavily based on that in "The Hunted" which appeared on Kodo's Ibuki album and was originally composed for the soundtrack of the movie of the same name.

The song "The Waste" (a vocal version of Kamaitachi featuring Mike Patton on vocals) is featured in the movie Freddy vs. Jason and its soundtrack.

Reception

Against was both a critical and commercial failure although the album has developed an increased cult following within the fanbase since its release. Most initial criticism laid on Green's vocals, to which many fans had a hard time adjusting to his hardcore-styled delivery, but also on the continued distancing from the band's earlier thrash metal persuasions, and the absence of complex riffs in favour of percussive grooves. Though their subsequent releases slowly got more widespread praise, Sepultura has not achieved the same success with Green that they had with Cavalera. This is also the last album to feature the same logo feature first shown on Beneath the Remains.

Against has sold over 130,000 copies in the United States.

Track listing

1. "Against"  – 1:54
2. "Choke"  – 3:36
3. "Rumors"  – 3:04
4. "Old Earth"  – 4:28
5. "Floaters in Mud"  – 4:58
6. "Boycott"  – 3:10
7. "Tribus"  – 1:39
8. "Common Bonds"  – 2:58
9. "F.O.E."  – 2:08 (Jimmy Bowen cover) (on the Vanishing Point soundtrack as 'Freedom of Expression')
10. "Reza"  – 2:16 (Prayer - feat. João Gordo from Ratos de Porão on vocals)
11. "Unconscious"  – 3:37
12. "Kamaitachi"  – 3:03 (feat. Kodo)
13. "Drowned Out"  – 1:28
14. "Hatred Aside"  – 5:13 (feat. Jason Newsted from Metallica on vocals and baritone guitar)
15. "T3rcermillennium"  – 3:56
16. "Gene Machine/Don't Bother Me" (Bad Brains) (bonus track on Brazilian release only)
17. "Prenúncio" (Prenounce - bonus track on Brazilian release only)

Singles

• "Choke" - Released in 1998.
1. "Choke"
2. "Gene Machine / You Don't Bother Me"
3. "Against"

• "Against" - Released in 1999
1. "Against"
2. "The Waste" (featuring Mike Patton and Kodo - a vocal version of Kamaitachi)
3. "Tribus (Demo)"
4. "Common Bonds (Alternate Mix)".

• "Tribus" - Released in 1999
1. The Waste
2. Tribus demo
3. Common Bonds alternate mix
4. Unconscious demo
5. F.O.E. extended mix
6. Prenuncio

Credits

• Igor Cavalera - drums
• Andreas Kisser - Lead Guitar
• Derrick Green - Vocals
• Paulo Jr. - Bass
• Recorded at
• ION Studios, São Paulo, Brazil
• House Of Blues Studios, Encino, California, USA
• The Hook Studios, North Hollywood, USA
• Sparky Dark Studios, Calabasas, California, USA
• Image Studios, Los Angeles, California, USA
• Chophouse Studio, Walnut Creek, California, USA
• Golden Track Studios, San Diego, California, USA
• KODO Village, Sado Island, Japan
• Produced by Howard Benson and Sepultura
• Recorded and engineered by Carlo Bartolini
• Mixed by Tim Palmer at Scream Studios, Studio City, California, USA
• Mixed by Howard Benson and Bobbie Brooks at The Gallery, Encino, California, USA
• Mix assisted by James Saez and Mark Moncrief
• Assistant engineered by David Bryant, Daniel Mantovani, Tosh Kasai, and James Bennett
• Tape Op by Skye A.K. Correa

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1998	The Billboard 200	82

References