Chaos A.D. cover

Chaos A.D.

Sepultura · 1993

69 min · 16 tracks · death metal

A relentless blend of aggressive riffs, tribal rhythms, and politically charged lyrics that redefine metal's boundaries.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Refuse/Resist Start here — The opening track establishes a militant tone with its driving rhythm and confrontational lyrics, setting the stage for the album's themes of resistance and empowerment.
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    Territory — This song merges aggressive riffs with a powerful chorus, addressing issues of nationalism and cultural identity while showcasing the band's ability to blend various musical influences.
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    Slave New World — With its urgent tempo and stark lyrics about societal control, this track exemplifies the band's critique of modern civilization and reflects their growing political consciousness.
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    Kaiowas — An instrumental piece that incorporates traditional Brazilian instrumentation, it highlights the band's cultural roots and showcases their adventurous approach to composition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100
Alpine
Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album blends aggressive metal with tribal influences and political themes, showcasing strong writing and execution.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks feature aggressive tempos and heavy guitar riffs, while the fourth track shifts to a slower, more melodic pace with clean vocals.
  • Several tracks incorporate tribal percussion elements, particularly in 'Kaiowas', which is primarily instrumental and features acoustic guitars.
  • The album's lyrics often address political themes, with songs like 'Refuse/Resist' and 'Propaganda' delivering direct messages through intense vocal delivery.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • intense emotional exploration
  • dynamic rhythmic shifts
  • immersive listening experiences
  • thought-provoking thematic content
  • energetic and aggressive pacing

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album marked a significant transition and wider recognition for the band.
Themes
Brazilian tribal rhythms· oppression and resistance· cultural identity conflict
Career context
Released on September 2, 1993, Chaos A.D. marks Sepultura's fourth studio album and a significant transition in their sound. Following the breakthrough success of Arise, this album saw the band embracing more groove-oriented elements while incorporating Brazilian musical influences, showcasing their evolution beyond thrash metal roots.
Stylistic neighbors
Soulfly· Pantera· Machine Head
New to Sepultura? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 Refuse/Resist Start here 3:19
  • 2 Territory 4:47
  • 3 Slave New World 2:55
  • 4 Amen 4:27
  • 5 Kaiowas 3:43
  • 6 Propaganda 3:33
  • 7 Biotech Is Godzilla 1:52
  • 8 Nomad 4:59
  • 9 We Who Are Not as Others 3:42
  • 10 Manifest 4:49
  • 11 The Hunt 3:59
  • 12 Clenched Fist 4:58
  • 13 Chaos B.C. 5:12
  • 14 Kaiowas (Tribal Jam) 3:47
  • 15 Territory (live) 4:48
  • 16 Amen / Inner Self (live) 8:42

What to play next

Roots
Listen next

Roots

1996

Continues the blend of aggressive sound with deeper tribal influences.
Arise
Go back to

Arise

1991

Sets the stage with a similar energy and aggression leading into Chaos A.D.
Full Sepultura discography Where to start with Sepultura Artists like Sepultura
alternative metal death metal thrash metal

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Soulfly

Soulfly

Soulfly

Shares tribal rhythms and themes of cultural identity, blending metal with world music influences.

Demanufacture

Demanufacture

Fear Factory

Combines aggressive riffs and industrial elements with a focus on themes of oppression and resistance.

Toxicity

Toxicity

System of a Down

Explores politically charged lyrics and incorporates diverse musical styles, echoing Chaos A.D.'s intensity.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata