Green keeps Sepultura on top

Concert: Sepultura, Puya and Hatebreed sensational, Endo a real let-down

By ERIK FONG
Staff Writer

The reactions among dedicated old-school Sepultura fans have been mixed since the departure of frontman Max Cavalera and the addition of new vocalist Derrick Green to the mix. Citing musical differences as reasons for the split, Cavalera founded Soulfly, using the styles of newer bands such as Korn and the Deftones as fuel for his musical fire. His former bandmates in Sepultura went the opposite direction and sharpened their edge, combining the style of their highly acclaimed 1993 release Chaos A.D. with the harsh tones of hardcore music. And Sepultura, with Derrick Green as its new frontman and the new album Nation as its ammunition, launched a full-fledged musical assault last Saturday at the Palace in Hollywood, along with hardcore aggressors Hatebreed and metal acts Puya and Endo.
Columbia artists Endo opened the night with a stereotypical set made up of stereotypical songs written by what, in essence, can now be described as "a major label's wet dream." The band contains the formula for success: one-measure-long riffs with no more than four chords, verses containing sentimental singing, choruses with screaming (so as to expose the singers' rough and sensitive sides at once) and the snare drum that sounds like a trashcan lid. Bands in the "nu metal" genre are beginning to resemble the glam rock wave of the '80s; same look, same sound, and they all learned how to dance from the same instructional video tapes. Endo's a little too late on the wave. Been there, done that.
With their new album Union set to hit stores June 20, Puya unleashed its Latin-influenced sound to the Hollywood crowd. The band showed off its metal roots while utilizing a percussionist to the mix to create more flavor in its sound, which is more than welcome in today's one-dimensional mainstream music world. The group has begun paving a road that it can surely travel on for quite a while. It is only matter of time and more experimentation before Puya takes off along its very own path.
Connecticut-based hardcore freaks Hatebreed hit the stage next, with a power never before felt within the walls of such a pristine venue as the Palace. With an upcoming slot on the Slipknot/Deicide tour followed by a stint on the Ozzfest, Hatebreed epitomizes the old saying that hard work and determination are the keys to success. The group pounded out a ruthless set of blistering hardcore that, along with bands like Diecast and Hoods, is paving the way in today's hardcore scene. While traditional metal in the mainstream has been mutated into a conglomerate of hard rock, metal and rap, hardcore has added to its genre the harsh and bare-bones thrash sounds that bands like Slayer and Megadeth made famous, only without all the frills and gimmicks. Metal fans who are sick and tired of long-haired men dancing like sissies can get their fix with Hatebreed's material.
Sepultura took the stage with not only its music, but a passion and a sense of enthusiasm that few bands can translate to audiences. Despite a few sloppy guitar mishaps by guitarist Andreas Kisser, the band was in full force, with legendary metal songs such as "Territory," "Roots Bloody Roots" and "Beneath the Remains" and new tracks like "Bored Wars and Sepulnation" off their latest offering, Nation, and a tribal interlude that reminded the audience of what separates Sepultura from the rest. Frontman Green has quickly grown out of Max Cavalera's shadow and earned his spot in the band with a genuine stage presence that leaves the audience knowing that he enjoyed every minute on stage.
It was a night to remember. Sepultura preserved its legendary status despite lack of penetration into the mainstream world. Endo and Puya displayed their hunger, youth and drive to make it big in the music industry. And the incredible hardcore act Hatebreed was given the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd larger than usual, and surpassed everyone's expectations.

Copyright 2001 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 142, No. 55 (Tuesday, April 10, 2001), beginning on page 7 and ending on page 10.