Totem
Soulfly · 2022
40 min · 10 tracks · thrash metal
A relentless barrage of groove-laden riffs and primal rhythms, showcasing Soulfly's distinctive blend of metal and tribal influences.
Top tracks — play these first
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Superstition — Opening with a fierce riff and tribal percussion, this track establishes the album's intense energy and showcases Cavalera's signature vocal style.
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The Damage Done — This song features a powerful narrative reflecting personal struggles, paired with dynamic shifts that highlight the band's musical versatility.
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Spirit Animal — Spanning almost ten minutes, this epic track encapsulates the album's essence through its exploration of identity and connection to ancestral roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends aggressive thrash with tribal rhythms, maintaining energy while exploring dynamic shifts in sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter tracks.
- The last three tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that contrast with the aggressive sound of earlier songs, providing a dynamic shift.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- wave-like pacing with intensity
- dynamic progression to a climax
- primal energy for catharsis
- short tracks for quick bursts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, mellow sounds
- seek extended, tranquil pieces
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in Soulfly's late career.
- Career context
- Released on August 5, 2022, 'Totem' is Soulfly's eleventh studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'Ritual' from 2018. At this point in his career, frontman Max Cavalera continued to explore his roots in heavy music while incorporating native Brazilian elements into a modern metal context.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sepultura· Machine Head· Fear Factory
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Superstition 3:14
- 2 Scouring the Vile 2:51
- 3 Filth Upon Filth 2:53
- 4 Rot in Pain 2:47
- 5 The Damage Done 3:58
- 6 Totem 5:31
- 7 Ancestors 3:09
- 8 Ecstasy of Gold 3:36
- 9 Soulfly XII 2:34
- 10 Spirit Animal 9:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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