Sepultura – Quadra (2020)
Sepultura’s Quadra (2020) is widely regarded as one of the strongest albums of the band’s modern era. Released via Nuclear Blast, the record combines technical thrash metal, progressive elements, and orchestral arrangements into a cohesive and ambitious statement.
Building on the momentum of Machine Messiah (2017), Quadra showcases a confident, mature Sepultura pushing their creative boundaries while honoring their heavy roots.
Album Overview
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Artist: Sepultura
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Album Title: Quadra
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Release Date: February 7, 2020
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Label: Nuclear Blast
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Producer: Jens Bogren
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Genre: Thrash Metal, Groove Metal, Progressive Metal
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Length: 51:31
The word “Quadra” translates from Portuguese as “court,” “block,” or “quadrant.” The album explores the idea of society as a structured game with rules, territories, and limitations.
Concept and Themes
Quadra is a conceptual exploration of societal structure and human behavior. The band describes society as a “quadra” — a confined space with rules that shape how people live and interact.
Main Themes:
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Social division and class systems
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Identity and belonging
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Moral codes and personal choice
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Power structures
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Cultural and political boundaries
Musically, the album is divided into conceptual sections that shift in tone — from aggressive thrash to melodic and orchestral passages.
Tracklist
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Isolation
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Means to an End
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Last Time
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Capital Enslavement
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Ali
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Raging Void
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Guardians of Earth
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The Pentagram
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Autem
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Quadra
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Agony of Defeat
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Fear, Pain, Chaos, Suffering (bonus track – some editions)
“Ali” is a tribute to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, symbolizing resilience and personal strength within societal constraints.
Album Credits
Band Line-Up
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Derrick Green – Lead Vocals
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Andreas Kisser – Guitars
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Paulo Jr. – Bass
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Eloy Casagrande – Drums
Eloy Casagrande delivers one of his most dynamic performances, combining technical thrash precision with powerful groove and orchestral sensitivity.
Production Team
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Producer: Jens Bogren
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Recording Studio: Fascination Street Studios (Sweden)
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Mixing & Mastering: Jens Bogren
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Artwork & Design: Eliran Kantor
Bogren’s production provides clarity, heaviness, and dynamic range, allowing both aggressive riffs and orchestral elements to shine.
Album Cover & Booklet Design
The cover artwork by Eliran Kantor reflects the album’s structured and symbolic concept.
The Real Quadra (2020) Cover Art
The actual cover of Sepultura – Quadra features:
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A coin-like circular emblem
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A skull at the center
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Intricate symbolic engravings
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A design that resembles a medallion or ancient currency
The artwork was created by Eliran Kantor, who has worked with bands like Testament, Kreator, and Hatebreed.
What the Coin & Skull Represent
The coin imagery connects directly to the album’s concept:
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A coin symbolizes value systems, exchange, and structured society
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The circular shape reflects the idea of a closed system (“quadra”)
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The skull represents mortality, consequence, and human nature
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The engraved details reinforce themes of structure, hierarchy, and rules
Rather than a literal chessboard, the cover uses symbolic minimalism — a single powerful object representing societal systems and human fate within them.
Design Highlights:
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A chessboard-like composition
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Human figures positioned within rigid boundaries
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Strong geometric patterns
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Dark and muted color palette
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Symbolism of societal control and personal agency
The booklet enhances the concept with structured layouts and detailed visual themes that mirror the idea of societal “quadrants.”
Critical Reception & Ratings
Quadra received widespread acclaim and is often considered one of Sepultura’s best albums of the 21st century.
Notable Ratings:
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AllMusic: 4.5/5
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Blabbermouth.net: 8.5/10
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Metal Hammer: Highly positive reviews
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Frequently listed among the best metal albums of 2020
Critics praised:
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Sophisticated songwriting
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Balanced aggression and melody
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Derrick Green’s versatile vocal performance
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Eloy Casagrande’s technical drumming
Many reviewers highlighted it as a career-defining album for the modern lineup.
Commercial Performance & Charts
Quadra achieved strong international chart positions:
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Top 10 in Germany’s Official Album Charts
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Charted in Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and France
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Strong performance in Brazil
The album’s success reaffirmed Sepultura’s continued global relevance more than 35 years into their career.
Awards and Recognition
Although mainstream awards were limited, Quadra:
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Appeared on numerous “Best Metal Albums of 2020” lists
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Was praised as a modern classic in Sepultura’s catalog
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Strengthened their international touring presence before global pandemic disruptions
Fun Facts & Trivia
🔥 Did You Know?
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The album is divided into conceptual sections reflecting different societal perspectives.
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“Ali” was inspired by Muhammad Ali’s resilience and social activism.
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The orchestral parts were arranged to enhance the conceptual depth rather than dominate the sound.
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Jens Bogren’s collaboration with Sepultura continued from Machine Messiah, maintaining sonic continuity.
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Many fans consider Quadra the strongest Derrick Green-era album.
