Roots and Rhythms

In the sweltering heat of Brazil, a country pulsating with a kaleidoscope of musical beats, the members of Sepultura stood at a crossroads. Hailing from this land of rich cultural tapestry, they found themselves grappling with a profound question: How could they encapsulate the essence of their Brazilian identity within the roaring tides of metal music? As they navigated the mid-1990s, a period marked by their established prowess in thrash and death metal, Sepultura was poised for an artistic metamorphosis.

Brazil’s musical heritage, a vibrant mosaic of sounds, presented an alluring canvas. Sepultura, driven by a desire to explore and express their cultural roots, began to weave the threads of tribal and world music into their established metal framework. This integration was not just an artistic choice but a statement – a bold declaration of their identity and heritage.

As the world of music in the 1990s experienced a surge in blending traditional sounds with contemporary genres, Sepultura, too, found themselves influenced by this global trend. They saw an opportunity to contribute their unique voice to this fusion. The move towards integrating indigenous rhythms and instruments marked a significant shift in their musical journey. It was a leap from the familiar shores of metal to uncharted waters, where the echoes of ancient tribal chants met the fierce growl of metal.

The integration of indigenous elements did more than diversify their sound; it allowed Sepultura to delve deeper into themes close to their hearts. Their music, often a reflection of social and political issues, now began to echo the struggles and stories of Brazil’s indigenous communities. Themes of colonization, cultural erosion, and the fight for recognition and rights found a new resonance in the band’s evolving sound, offering a more direct commentary on these critical issues.

For Sepultura, merging tribal music with metal was not just an artistic choice; it was a statement of identity, a dialogue between their Brazilian heritage and the global metal scene.

For band members, especially Max Cavalera, this exploration was not just musical but deeply personal. Delving into the indigenous and tribal music of Brazil was a journey to reconnect with a part of themselves, a heritage they had been distanced from in their rise to international fame. This exploration was a rediscovery, a way of understanding and embracing their roots.

In their quest to find a sound that was unmistakably Sepultura, the band forged a path that was both innovative and respectful of their origins. By blending the aggressive, intense style of metal with the rhythmic richness of Brazilian tribal music, they not only pushed the boundaries of what metal could be but also created a sound that was uniquely theirs. It was a sound that resonated with their identity, their history, and their aspirations, setting them apart in a genre often characterized by its uniformity.

In this fusion, Sepultura did not just find their musical identity; they opened a dialogue between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation.

Sepultura’s Groundbreaking Fusion

With the release of their 1996 album “Roots,” Sepultura embarked on an unprecedented musical journey. “Roots” was a groundbreaking album, marking a significant departure from Sepultura’s earlier thrash and death metal style. This album showcased a bold integration of Brazilian tribal rhythms and indigenous sounds with their established metal framework, signaling a new era for the band.

The band’s decision to incorporate world music, particularly tribal music, into their sound was driven by a desire to reconnect with their Brazilian roots and to experiment with new sounds and musical ideas. “Roots” featured a variety of Brazilian instruments and rhythms, a testament to Sepultura’s commitment to authentically integrating traditional Brazilian music into their work. This commitment was further exemplified by their collaboration with the Xavante tribe, an indigenous group from Brazil. The track “Itsári,” a central feature of the album, was a product of this collaboration, highlighting the band’s dedication to incorporating genuine elements of their cultural heritage.

Through “Roots,” Sepultura not only redefined their music but also brought global attention to Brazil’s rich musical heritage, merging metal with indigenous sounds in a pioneering fusion.

This exploration and incorporation of Brazilian tribal music into their sound was a daring move, but it paid off. The album was not just a departure from Sepultura’s earlier sound but also a pioneering effort in the fusion of metal with elements of world music. The result was an album that pushed the boundaries of metal music and brought global attention to the rich musical heritage of Brazil. Through “Roots,” Sepultura not only expanded their musical repertoire but also offered a new perspective on how metal music could be reimagined and enriched with diverse cultural influences.

Bridging Cultures – The Sepultura-Xavante Collaboration

The idea to collaborate with an indigenous tribe arose from Sepultura’s deep-rooted desire to explore and reconnect with their Brazilian heritage. Aiming to create music that resonated powerfully with their metal sound while being deeply connected to the cultural heritage of Brazil, they embarked on a journey that would lead them to the Xavante tribe. This collaboration was not just a musical experiment; it was a conscious effort by Sepultura to acknowledge and celebrate indigenous culture.

The Xavante, an indigenous people from the central eastern region of Brazil, are renowned for their rich cultural traditions in music and dance. They have a history marked by resilience and resistance against centuries of encroachment and oppression. In an effort to capture the essence of this vibrant culture, Sepultura visited the Xavante tribe for the recording of “Roots.” This collaboration included traditional Xavante chants and rhythms, which were meticulously woven into the album. The recording process was a collaborative and respectful exchange, bridging the world of metal with the ancestral sounds of the Xavante.

One of the standout tracks resulting from this collaboration is “Itsári,” which means “roots” in the Xavante language. This track stands as a pure expression of the collaboration, featuring authentic Xavante chants and rhythms set against the backdrop of Sepultura’s robust metal framework. Remarkably, “Itsári” is presented without any electronic manipulation, showcasing the Xavante music in its authentic, unadulterated form.

This landmark collaboration between Sepultura and the Xavante tribe in ‘Itsári’ showcases an authentic blend of traditional chants and metal, exemplifying respect for cultural heritage.

This collaboration was marked by a deep mutual respect and cultural exchange. Sepultura was dedicated to ensuring that the tribe’s music was presented authentically and respectfully. This was not a fusion for the sake of novelty; it was a sincere attempt to bridge cultures through the universal language of music.

The collaboration was well-received for its authenticity and innovative approach to blending genres. It played a significant role in bringing attention to indigenous cultures within Brazil and globally, showcasing the musical and cultural richness of the Xavante people. The Sepultura-Xavante collaboration is often cited as a pioneering moment in the world music genre and has inspired numerous other artists to explore similar cross-cultural collaborations.

Echoing Beyond Borders

Sepultura’s innovative use of Brazilian tribal elements in their music didn’t just redefine their own sound; it also set a precedent that inspired countless other bands worldwide. This pioneering approach encouraged bands across various regions to delve into their own cultural heritages, leading to a more diverse and culturally enriched metal genre. The impact of Sepultura’s fusion of tribal and metal elements was particularly profound in Latin America. Bands in countries like Colombia and Chile began to integrate aspects of their folklore and indigenous music into metal, following Sepultura’s groundbreaking example. This movement led to the emergence of a more localized and culturally rich metal scene in these regions.

The fusion of tribal and metal elements by Sepultura inspired a wave of cultural exploration in the metal genre, profoundly influencing bands across the world.

The influence of Sepultura’s “Roots” album was far-reaching, notably impacting the development of nu-metal and groove metal. Bands within these genres often cite Sepultura as a key inspiration, particularly for their rhythmic, down-tuned guitar work and incorporation of non-traditional metal elements. Sepultura’s successful blend of tribal rhythms with metal not only carved a niche for themselves but also paved the way for other bands to experiment with similar fusions.

Sepultura’s approach significantly influenced the broader folk metal scene. Bands in this genre blend metal with traditional folk music from their respective cultures, and Sepultura’s success with tribal music integration demonstrated that folk elements could be effectively and authentically combined with heavy metal. This opened doors for a more inclusive representation of different cultures and histories within the metal scene, encouraging bands to showcase and celebrate their unique ethnic and indigenous backgrounds.

Bands focusing on representing indigenous or ethnic cultures in their music often look to Sepultura’s work with the Xavante tribe as a pioneering example. This collaboration has been a beacon for bands seeking to incorporate authentic cultural elements into their music, promoting a more inclusive and diverse metal community.