SOULFLY Conquer (2008)

15 September 2008
news page
The releasing of "Conquer" - the new album of Soulfly, came out of nowhere. The propaganda for it was a bit quiet, not like other times and logically was shaded by the unique collaboration between the Cavalera brothers and the recording of the first disc in the history of Cavalera Conspiracy. However, although it might not be the most advertised disc by one of the favorites of the Bulgarian audience, "Conquer" deserves more careful listening and adequate description. It won’t be forcedly if I say that this album is the heaviest in the discography of Soulfly. After I have heard thousand times the repeated refrain from the first song "Blood Fire War Hate", I agree with Max Cavalera’s statement that after this CD, "Dark Ages" will sound as a pop record. The change in the genre of the band is really big, if you are not prepared for the sound inspired from the music of Bolt Thrower, Napalm Death and Slayer. Thrash fans should not deny what Soulfly did anymore, because if there’s a band that dived straight to the boiling depths of the style, it is definitely her. I should warn all of these which think that the group is stuck at one direction and does not have intention to change the mechanism of the well working machine, that things are now completely different. At some moments in "Unleash", for example, we can not recognize the sound of the band – such electronic parts have never been part of the songs… but they are so cool! Max is getting older and this is obvious in his vocals, which are far more guttural, but not less emotional and inspiring. The lyrics, this time without any surprises, are on social themes and do not have many layers of conceptions in them. While I’m listening to "Paranoia", with its melodic riffs in the beginning, I think that “Conquer" came right on its perfect place in the discography of the band. Heavier, darker thrash with many instrumentals – in the middle of 2008 it is the most appropriate time! Lately many bands, with which typical way of playing we get used to, surprised us in such way. I’m really happy that I have the opportunity to congratulate for this act of courage exactly Soulfly. Now, with bigger enthusiasm, I will expect them for their next show in Bulgaria!
Source: