"Roots" by Sepultura, 1996 (Roadrunner Records). Brazilian death metal act founded in 1984 by singer/guitarist Max Cavalera (b. Massimilliano A. Cavalera, 1969) and his drummer brother Igor Cavalera (b. 1970), plus bassist Paolo Pinto Jr. (b. 1969) and guitarist Jairo T (b. circa 1970). The Cavaleras' father, who was Italy's ambassador to Brazil, died young, leaving his sons enough money for a short term at military school, their own house, and musical instruments. Sepultura's first albums, Bestial Devastation (1985) and Morbid Visions (1986), were derivative grunt-and-speed fare, but they were good enough to arouse curiosity in America and Europe. When Andreas Kisser (b. 1968) replaced Jairo T in 1986 the change lead to more mature music on albums like Beneath the Remains (1989) and Arise (1991), and subsequent large-scale touring. As international interest in Sepultura grew, Cavalera abandoned his fixation with the supernatural and started telling the world about injustice, Brazil-style: among his new lyrical themes were mass Indian suicides, prison revolts, and defiant rain forest warriors. Sepultura (the name means "grave" in Portuguese) were hailed as heroes in Latin countries, earning a reputation elsewhere for bleak lyrics, politically-charged videos, and spirited live performances. After making one album with Epic Records (1993's Chaos A.D.), Sepultura returned to their indie-label home Roadrunner, for their seventh album, Roots (1996); the record, featuring backing tracks recorded in the rain forest with Xavante warriors, sold 1.5 million copies. In January 1997, the band decided not to renew its management contract with Gloria Bukonowski, wife of Max Cavalera. This initiated Max's angry departure from Sepultura, which was followed by the surprising announcement that the remaining three members would continue as a trio, with Kisser taking over vocals.
