Sepultura – Against (1998) | Album Overview, Art & Legacy
Against is the seventh studio album by Brazilian metal band Sepultura, released on October 6, 1998 through Roadrunner Records. It is notable as the band’s first album featuring vocalist Derrick Green, who replaced founding frontman Max Cavalera after his departure in 1997.
Album Details
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Title: Against
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Artist: Sepultura
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Released: October 6, 1998
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Genre: Groove metal / nu metal / alternative metal
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Label: Roadrunner Records
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Length: ~47:26
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Producers: Howard Benson & Sepultura
Against continues some of the tribal and world music influences first explored on Roots, including Japanese taiko percussion played by Kodo, while presenting a heavier, more aggressive sound than some of Sepultura’s earlier thrash‑oriented work.
Context & Significance
This album marked a major turning point in Sepultura’s history:
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It was the band’s first full studio release without Max Cavalera, who had left in late 1996 after internal disputes.
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Derrick Green, formerly of the punk band Outface, took over vocal duties and helped steer the band into its next era.
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Against was released during a period of uncertainty for fans and critics alike, who questioned whether Sepultura could survive such a major lineup change.
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The album’s title — Against — reflected a sense of defiance and resistance in the face of adversity, both personal and professional for the band.
To support the record, Sepultura toured alongside major acts like Metallica and Slayer, helping to maintain their status on the international metal scene despite mixed commercial reception.
Track Listing (Original)
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Against – 1:54
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Choke – 3:36
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Rumors – 3:04
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Old Earth – 4:28
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Floaters in Mud – 4:58
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Boycott – 3:10
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Tribus – 1:38
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Common Bonds – 2:58
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F.O.E. – 2:07
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Reza – 2:16
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Unconscious – 3:37
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Kamaitachi – 3:03
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Drowned Out – 1:28
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Hatred Aside – 5:13
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T3rcermillennium – 3:55
Singles: “Choke”, “Against”, “Tribus” — with “Choke” receiving a music video that included footage from the first Leg of the Against tour.
Cover Art – What Is Known
Unlike some Sepultura releases that had distinctive commissioned paintings (like the art by Michael Whelan on earlier albums), the Against album does not have a widely documented, singular conceptual explanation from the band about the imagery on the cover. What is verifiable:
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The cover art credit is listed to Mike Curry, with art direction and layout by a professional design team, reflecting a more graphic, modern visual style compared to the band’s earlier surreal and illustrative covers.
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The design and layout involved Skouras Design and art direction by industry professionals, suggesting it was created specifically for the album rather than sourced from a pre‑existing painting.
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Igor Cavalera is credited with the cover concept, indicating the band had direct input on the visual direction even as they moved into a new era.
Because Sepultura and the art directors did not publicly elaborate on Against’s artwork themes or symbolism in detail — and there is no official narrative tied to a specific pre‑existing image or cultural reference — we must stick to the documented credits rather than speculative interpretation.
Musical Style & Themes
Against incorporates:
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Groove‑driven riffs and rhythms, heavier and more abrasive than many of their prior albums.
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Continued use of world percussion and tribal influences, such as the taiko drumming on “Kamaitachi.”
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More dissonant and hostile musical textures, reflecting the band’s mindset during the transition to Derrick Green’s leadership.
The overall sound combines aggressive metal with textures and influences beyond classic thrash, echoing the musical diversity found on Roots but with a different vocal and stylistic approach.
Critical Reception & Commercial Performance
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Against received mixed‑to‑positive reviews, with many critics recognizing flashes of the band’s classic power while noting stylistic shifts.
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The album sold over 130,000 copies in the United States, a modest figure compared to Roots’s multi‑million sales.
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Chart performance and fan reactions were mixed as the band navigated the transition from its original vocalist.
Fun Facts
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The track “Choke” was the first Sepultura song to be promoted with a full music video in the Derrick Green era.
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“Kamaitachi” features traditional Japanese taiko percussion performed by the group Kodo, continuing Sepultura’s global influences.
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Some guest appearances and collaborations around this album period included artists like Jason Newsted (Metallica) on bonus editions and live performances.
Trivia
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Against is often seen as a transitional album between Sepultura’s classic era and their later work — a creative bridge rather than a definitive statement by genre.
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It shows the band’s commitment to continue innovating even after losing a founding member, reinforcing their resilience in the metal scene.
Did You Know?
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Derrick Green, the vocalist on Against, was recruited after submitting a demo tape of the song “Choke,” which he had written and helped the band select during auditions.
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Touring with heavyweights like Metallica and Slayer shortly after the album’s release helped solidify Sepultura’s relevance to international metal audiences despite lineup changes.
