Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser has opened up about the circumstances that birthed the band’s surprise farewell EP, The Cloud Of Unknowing. While the Brazilian metal icons initially had no plans to track new material during their ongoing retirement run, a shocking lineup defection and the arrival of a vibrant new musical partner completely changed their trajectory.
The unexpected creative burst came in the wake of immense disappointment. Just three weeks before Sepultura was scheduled to launch their massive farewell tour, longtime drummer Eloy Casagrande abruptly exited the lineup to join Slipknot.
Reflecting on the situation, Kisser made it clear that the departure caught the entire camp completely off guard.
“Two days before he announced he was leaving, we were discussing elements of the setlist like nothing was happening,” he told Metal Hammer. “So it really came out of nowhere, and I don’t understand why he did that. There were many, many different ways you could handle a situation like that.”
Faced with a sudden crisis, Sepultura acted quickly, recruiting 23-year-old drumming prodigy Greyson Nekrutman, who had been playing with crossover thrash veterans Suicidal Tendencies. Rather than simply keeping the tour afloat, Nekrutman‘s youth and immense talent injected a profound sense of rejuvenation into the legendary metal outfit.
According to Kisser, the young drummer single-handedly inspired him to pick up his guitar and compose music for what would become their final four-song studio statement.
“He was basically the main reason why I felt energised to write again,” Kisser stated. “He brought a new energy: he’s a great guy and an amazing musician. This EP is a consequence of the atmosphere we have in the band now.”
That revitalized studio environment also yielded a powerful thematic message for The Cloud Of Unknowing. Named after a 14th-century Christian text, the EP serves as a sharp, technophobic warning against the modern digital landscape, with Kisser urging fans to completely unplug from online spaces and artificial intelligence in order to reclaim their true humanity.
“Screens and fake news and artificial intelligence… we don’t need that in the way of our connection to nature or God or whatever energy you want to give a name to,” he explained. “Alan Watts [late British-American writer/philosopher] talked about the ‘Cloud Of Unknowing‘ as a straight connection with yourself. Be yourself, go to the beach, step on the sand, feel things for yourself!”
Earlier in May, Sepultura officially confirmed the date and location for the absolute final performance of their historic career. The concluding show of their massive “Celebrating Life Through Death” global farewell tour will take place on November 7 at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu (Pacaembu Stadium) in São Paulo, Brazil.
The extensive farewell tour serves as a global celebration of Sepultura’s influential four-decade career. The final chapter of their live history officially commenced on March 1, 2024, with a sold-out performance in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
To permanently commemorate their final journey, Sepultura is also in the process of recording a massive live compilation album. The ambitious project aims to capture the band’s peak stage energy by recording 40 different songs across 40 different cities throughout the duration of the world tour.
The remaining dates on the “Celebrating Life Through Death” tour represent the absolute final opportunity for North American and European audiences to experience the band’s live legacy before they officially conclude their touring career.
Remaining Sepultura “Celebrating Life Through Death” Tour Dates:
- June 10 – Rome, Italy – Eur Social Park
- June 12 – Interlaken, Switzerland – Greenfield Festival
- June 13 – Nickelsdorf, Austria – Nova Rock
- June 14 – Würzburg, Germany – Posthalle
- June 17 – Saarbrucken, Germany – Garage
- June 19 – Clisson, France – Hellfest
- June 20 – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting
- June 21 – Lisbon, Portugal – Rock In Rio Lisboa
- June 23 – Oberhausen, Germany – Turbinenhalle
- June 24 – Potsdam, Germany – Waschhaus Potsdam
- June 25 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell
- June 26 – Huskvarna, Sweden – Folkets Park
- June 27 – Oslo, Norway – Tons Of Rock
- July 29 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Open Air
- August 01 – Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
- August 02 – Tallinn, Estonia – Tallinn Rock Festival
- August 05 – Villena, Spain – Leyendas del Rock
- August 07 – Walton-on-Trent, UK – Bloodstock Festival
- August 09 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
