As the legendary Brazilian/American heavy metal titans SEPULTURA prepare to draw the curtain on an extraordinary career spanning over four decades, they are set to release their final creative offering, the EP "The Cloud Of Unknowing," on April 24th via Nuclear Blast Records. This release marks a significant moment as the band, having etched their name into the annals of music history with 14 gold records and performances in over 80 countries, signifies their definitive end at the close of this year. The "Celebrating Life Through Death" farewell tour, currently underway, serves as a global testament to their enduring influence and pioneering sound, prompting the question of how such a monumental journey should be commemorated. The answer, it seems, lies in capturing one last creative spark and preserving it for posterity.
A Bittersweet Farewell: "The Cloud Of Unknowing" EP
"The Cloud Of Unknowing" EP is poised to be a diverse and emotionally resonant collection, featuring four tracks that encapsulate the full spectrum of SEPULTURA’s creative output. This EP represents a bittersweet farewell, a final opportunity for the band to showcase both the unyielding ferocity and profound depth that have defined their legacy for over 40 years.
One of the EP’s tracks, "The Place," has been unveiled, offering a glimpse into the lyrical themes that continue to resonate within the band. Vocalist Derrick Green elaborates on the song’s narrative: "This song deals with immigrants who have come to a place seeking refuge and start a new life. Once assimilated into a false sense of security and relentless propaganda, they began to act out against what they hate about themselves. The transition begins to escape from the self-hatred and the lashing out against people who believed in the same ideas. I feel the lyrics truly follow the transitions of the song. Starting with disappointment and arriving at anger." This thematic exploration highlights SEPULTURA’s continued engagement with socially relevant issues, a hallmark of their artistic journey.
The EP will be available in several distinct formats, catering to collectors and dedicated fans. These include Oxblood, Transparent Petrol (a Nuclear Blast exclusive), Crystal Clear (a band exclusive), and Transparent Red (also a band exclusive). All LP variants will come bundled with a CD of the EP housed in a card wallet, ensuring a comprehensive listening experience.
The track listing for "The Cloud Of Unknowing" EP is as follows:
- All Souls Rising
- Beyond the Dream
- Sacred Books
- The Place
A New Dawn, A Final Sunset: The Eloy Casagrande Transition
The release of this EP is intrinsically linked to a significant shift in the band’s lineup. Last year, guitarist Andreas Kisser revealed plans to record new music with the band’s touring drummer, the 23-year-old Greyson Nekrutman. Nekrutman officially joined SEPULTURA in February 2024, succeeding the group’s long-time drummer, Eloy Casagrande. Kisser had stated at the time, "We recorded four new songs with Greyson on drums. I don’t think nobody knows that, but there we go. We have four new songs, and we have the intention, next year, to release an EP, just to celebrate this momentum. It’s original songs that we worked [out]. It’s already recorded and everything, and we’re taking our time, really, to see where it’s gonna be the good time to do it."
The genesis of this new material was described by Kisser as "very spontaneous." He recalled, "We had a situation that we played the 70000 Tons Of Metal [cruise in January 2025] and we stayed in Miami. ‘We have this studio. We have a few ideas. Okay, let’s do it.’ [Laughs] And it was great. No pressure from labels, no due date… But it’s great… We did it in our time with no rush… And it’s great. Because of the farewell [tour] idea, we can do that as well, to plan something like that, or not plan something like that, plan as less that we can to really to challenge ourselves artistically to work something like that." This approach underscores a desire for creative freedom and an artistic challenge in the band’s final creative output.
The departure of Eloy Casagrande was announced on February 27, 2024, with the band stating he was leaving to pursue "another project." Casagrande subsequently confirmed his new role as the drummer for SLIPKNOT, a development that came as a shock to many in the music community. This news broke just two months after SEPULTURA had announced their intention to embark on a global farewell tour in 2024, marking their 40th anniversary.
In their statement regarding Casagrande’s exit, the remaining members of SEPULTURA expressed their surprise, noting they were "taken by surprise" that their drummer would "abandon everything related to SEPULTURA" less than a month before the commencement of their farewell tour. This sudden transition undoubtedly added a layer of complexity to the band’s final chapter, yet it also paved the way for Nekrutman’s integration and the recording of the "The Cloud Of Unknowing" EP.
The "Celebrating Life Through Death" farewell tour officially commenced on March 1, 2024, at Arena Hall in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. This sold-out show marked Nekrutman’s debut performance with the band, showcasing his prowess as a seasoned musician who previously played with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.
The End of an Era: A Conscious Decision
The decision to embark on a two-and-a-half-year farewell tour and ultimately disband was not driven by a desire to explore different musical styles away from extreme metal, but rather by a profound reflection on the band’s extensive history and the natural evolution of an artist’s journey. Andreas Kisser articulated this sentiment, stating, "I never felt kind of locked in the SEPULTURA world to write [in a specific style]. We were always very fearless to do whatever we want. I mean, ‘Nation’ is a very different album, ‘A-Lex’, all those albums that were inspired by books and stuff. It is, I think, more of the routine of being in a band like SEPULTURA. 40 years – 40 years, man. Have you ever done something for 40 years, like your job? Think about it. [Laughs] It’s an amazing achievement inside the entertainment business to have such a band for so long, and ups and downs, to have a following. Every time we were doing albums, we were playing, we had a deal with the record label, regardless of the formation, regardless of the time we were. We played for 10 people, then we were back to play big places and stuff. It’s a beautiful history. It’s a beautiful history of art and life."
Kisser emphasized that the prospect of continuing the cycle of album releases and tours felt "too predictable." He elaborated, "An artist has to be not in the comfort zone. If you’re there, you’re fucked, because you’re going to lose touch with reality. You’re gonna start living in this bubble of what SEPULTURA should be. There’s no ‘should’. There’s a new SEPULTURA every day. We can do anything we want, musically wise, because we conquered that. SEPULTURA is this. It is not thrash metal. It’s not heavy metal. It’s not dark metal. It’s not Brazilian metal. It’s SEPULTURA metal. That’s why we have a name, right? [Laughs] Otherwise, why have a name? This is SEPULTURA. That’s what we are – very free. We’re not scared or to take risks. Art is risks. If you do something new, you’re gonna take risks. There’s no other way. And that’s where you learn, with your mistakes or with your errors and your everything. But it’s great to stop in a great momentum without fighting, without an external factor breaking up this band. It’s our own terms. We chose that very peacefully, a conscious decision. We took two years talking about working out, preparing this, and now we enjoying ourselves. It’s amazing. And why not? I mean, it’s a privilege to have that, to have that possibility, to stop while we can or to stop in this momentum. And then the future is the future. Let’s see. [Laughs]"
This perspective highlights a band that is consciously choosing to end on their own terms, preserving their legacy and avoiding the potential pitfalls of creative stagnation or internal conflict. The decision to conclude their career at a creative peak, rather than in decline, is a testament to their artistic integrity and respect for their long-standing fanbase.
A Grand Finale: The SEPUL-Fest Vision
The culmination of SEPULTURA’s farewell tour is envisioned as a grand celebration in São Paulo, Brazil, tentatively scheduled for October 2026. Kisser described the aspiration for a "big SEPUL-fest type of show, a party with bands that are important." Crucially, the band intends to invite all past members to participate, fostering a spirit of unity and reconciliation.
"As a part of SEPULTURA’s history, we like to invite every member that was a part of SEPULTURA, including the Cavalera brothers [Max and Igor], to be a part of the concert, to play, to jam," Kisser stated. "I mean, it’s totally irrelevant to discuss the past, who is right, who is wrong. We’re never gonna get to a point – we’re gonna have two different views of it, and that’s fine. This is irrelevant. Let’s jam for the fans, to ourselves, to our families [who had] never seen us together. But not only them – Jairo [Guedz], Eloy Casagrande, Jean Patton and Roy Mayorga, musicians that were a part of SEPULTURA in very specific and important moments that kept SEPULTURA flowing and going regardless of our problems and our challenges that we had. So hopefully that will happen. They are gonna be invited. If you wanna be a part of this party, you are welcome. If not, that’s fine."
This inclusive vision, extending invitations to former members who have had complex relationships with the band, signals a profound desire to honor the entirety of SEPULTURA’s lineage and acknowledge the contributions of every musician who has been part of its journey. This move towards reconciliation, even at the very end, speaks volumes about the band’s maturity and their commitment to a harmonious conclusion.
Documenting the Legacy: Live Album and Final Tour Leg
In addition to the "The Cloud Of Unknowing" EP, SEPULTURA is meticulously documenting their final run of shows. The band is in the process of recording 40 songs across 40 different cities, aiming to produce a "massive compilation of our best, most energetic moments on stage." This live album will serve as a powerful sonic testament to their enduring stage presence and the raw energy that has captivated audiences for decades.
The North American leg of the "Celebrating Life Through Death" tour is set to feature a formidable lineup of supporting acts. Thrash metal legends EXODUS, hardcore heavyweights BIOHAZARD, and the emerging force TRIBAL GAZE will join SEPULTURA. This trek will commence on April 29th in Montclair, New Jersey, and will traverse major cities across the United States and Canada, including Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles, culminating on May 29th at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Furthermore, SEPULTURA is slated to perform at prominent festivals such as Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple, offering fans multiple opportunities to witness their final performances.
The announcement of SEPULTURA’s farewell marks the end of an era in heavy music. For over four decades, they have been a relentless force, pushing boundaries, inspiring generations, and solidifying their status as one of the most important and influential metal bands in history. The "The Cloud Of Unknowing" EP and their ongoing farewell tour provide a poignant and powerful conclusion to a truly monumental career.