Live Review: Cavalera - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
9th November 2023
Support: Incite, Recall The Remains
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
KK’s Steel Mill is the elite venue in the Black Country for all things rock and heavy metal. On this November evening the iconic venue plays host to the legendary Brazialian Cavalera brothers who are touring in celebration of their early work ‘Morbid Visions’ and ‘Bestial Devastation’. And despite both Corey Taylor and Maleveolnce also playing in the area this evening, the room is packed for this show, showing how strong the Black Country scene is.
Getting the chance in front of a big crowd, Recall The Remains step up as openers. Off the back of a few strong years that has seen them become Bloodstock Festival alumni, the Telford group are straight at it. Vocalist Jacob appears through a whirlwind of dreadlocks and limbs as he rips around the stage. Throughout the half hour set he trades his brash vocals with bassist Jordan’s more melodic stylings. Their set highlighted by ‘Darker Path’ and ‘Thirsty Inversions’.
Incite, featuring Max Cavaelra’s step-son Richie are up next and they kick off with a bone-chilling sonic assault ‘Up in Hell’. The set continues with a dynamic mix of older favourites and tracks from their latest release. From the ferocious ‘Fuck With Me (Wake Up Dead)’ to the primal intensity of ‘War Soup’ and the groove-laden rhythms of ‘Built to Destroy’, each song was a testament to their uncompromising attitude.
As their set reached its climax with ‘Ruthless Ways’ and the explosive ‘WTF’, Incite solidified their reputation as a new generation metal powerhouse, a masterclass in modern metal.
It is up to the Cavalera brothers to close out the evening and their performance showcased the enduring power and influence they have on the metal genre. From the raw intensity of ‘Bestial Devastation’ to the timeless brutality of ‘Troops of Doom’, the set was a meticulously crafted journey through the annals of extreme metal.
Kicking off with the onslaught of ‘Bestial Devastation’ and ‘Antichrist’, which set the stage for an unrelenting night. The crowd, immersed in the classic aura of early Sepultura, thrashed and headbanged in unison. ‘Necromancer’ and ‘Warriors of Death’ further fuelled the frenzy, demonstrating the unyielding energy that defined the roots of extreme metal.
Max’s repeated cries of “The real Sepultura” thankfully fell on deaf ears. It’s been twenty seven years now, everyone – apart from Max it would seem – has moved on. If a reformation is not on the cards, then it really is time to bury the resentment and move forward into a new era of personal growth and creativity.
The transition to ‘Empire of the Damned’ and ‘Escape to the Void’ seamlessly bridged the gap between the past and present, highlighting the evolution of the Cavalera sound.
A climactic moment arrived with the thunderous ‘Refuse/Resist’, as the crowd erupted into a collective roar, fists raised in unison. Closing the night with the iconic ‘Troops of Doom’, the CAVALERA 'Morbid Devastation' tour left an indelible mark on all in attendance. The brothers unparalleled chemistry and the timeless nature of the songs reaffirmed their status as legends in the metal realm.
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
