Live Review: Sepultura - Academy, Birmingham
Support: Jinjer, Obituary and Jesus Piece
8th November 2024
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
I was there at the Marquee Club in London as Sepultura made their UK debut, and turned the metal landscape on it’s head with a performance like no one had ever witnessed. It was truly a scene changing evening. Some thirty plus years later Sepultura return to the UK for a short run of dates as part of their farwell tour, the final stand of this legendary band.
Kicking off the night, Philadelphia hardcore outfit Jesus Piece delivered a performance that was all muscle and grit. The energy in the room immediately shifted as they launched into ‘Tunnel Vision’, with the bands no-frills, confrontational tone carrying through their entire set. Tracks like ‘Neuroprison’ and ‘Fear of Failure’ felt like sonic haymakers, with vocalist Aaron Heard commanding the stage with a presence that balanced rage with raw charisma. Closing with ‘FTBS’, Jesus Piece reminded everyone of hardcore’s enduring, visceral edge.
The atmosphere turned darker and heavier as Florida death metal legends Obituary took the stage. Kicking off with the instrumental ‘Redneck Stomp’, they wasted no time plunging the crowd into a dirty, sludgy mix of classic and newer material. Songs like ‘Chopped in Half’ and ‘Deadly Intentions’ showcased Obituary’s knack for creating crushing grooves without sacrificing technical depth. Finishing with ‘Slowly We Rot’, the set was a relentless display of death metal at its best, and leaving us wanting more, which the band will deliver when they return for a headline show next month!
Ukrainian metal giants Jinjer switched things up, bringing a progressive edge that mixed precision with explosive moments of heaviness. Starting with ‘Sit Stay Roll Over’, Tatiana Shmailyuk’s dynamic vocals took the audience on a ride that veered from smooth melodic passages to guttural growls. Fan favourites like ‘Teacher, Teacher!’ and ‘Colossus’ demonstrated the band’s technical mastery and willingness to push the boundaries of modern metal. By the time they wrapped up with ‘Rogue’, Jinjer had left an indelible mark on the night, proving they were more than worthy of the stacked lineup.
As the headliners took the stage, the crowd’s anticipation hit a fever pitch. Following the Black Sabbath ‘War Pigs’ sing along, the long standing intro tape of of Titãs ‘Policia’ rang out getting the blood pumping as the headliners were about to take the stage.
Sepultura, with nearly four decades of music behind them, did not disappoint. They opened with the powerhouse anthem ‘Refuse/Resist’, a track that immediately connected with the crowd, and moved seamlessly through hits that spanned their storied career. Tracks like ‘Territory’ and ‘Slave New World’ brought intense waves of nostalgia in an opening salvo that is hard to beat. Newer songs like ‘Kairos’ and ‘Guardians of Earth’ underscored the band’s continued relevance and commitment to evolving their sound on their later albums.
Their cover of Motörhead's ‘Orgasmatron’ was a particularly poignant moment, paying homage to another heavy metal legend. And the sprinking of classics from ‘Arise’ rose the crowds intensity another gear. The encore, featuring ‘Ratamahatta’ and the iconic ‘Roots Bloody Roots’ was an emotional high, with fans chanting along in their final moments with the band. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of Sepultura's legacy and a moment for both the bands and band alike to sign off, one last time.
For me, I was there at the beginning of it all, and it was a special moment to witness the end. Farewell Sepultura, our memories will live long after the final notes of this evening stop ringing in our ears.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
