By Jim “The Rabbit Warlock” Taylor | Crannk.com
Sepultura — Portuguese for “grave.” Even the sound of their name sends a shiver up the spine.
Formed in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, Sepultura quickly rose from the South American underground to become one of the most powerful and respected forces in global metal. Blending the raw ferocity of thrash, the intensity of death metal, and later the groove and tribal influences that would define their sound, Sepultura carved their name deep into the foundations of heavy music.
🎥 Under Siege – A Moment in Metal History
Recorded on May 31st, 1991, at Teatro Zeleste in Barcelona, Spain, Under Siege (Live in Barcelona) captures Sepultura at the height of their early career, touring in support of their landmark album Arise.
Directed by Stephen Payne and produced by Stephen Malitsky, this concert film isn’t just a live performance — it’s a snapshot of a band on fire, pushing the limits of their sound and their audience. The camera work and raw production perfectly complement the chaos and precision that defined Sepultura’s live shows during this era.
⚡ Arise-Era Ferocity
From the very first notes of their intro through to their blistering cover of Motörhead’s “Orgasmatron,” the energy never dips for a second. Every riff, every drum hit, and every guttural roar from Max Cavalera feels like a call to arms — a primal scream from Brazil to the world.
The Barcelona crowd, described by director Stephen Payne as “one of the best in Europe,” matches the band’s intensity step for step, feeding off every moment. You can see the hunger, the sweat, and the sheer joy of a band who knew they were creating something immortal.
🧠 Behind the Chaos
Interspersed between the live footage are intimate interviews that provide a rare glimpse into the band’s life back home in Belo Horizonte and São Paulo. Sepultura speak openly about their early struggles, their influences, and the pride of representing Brazil on the global stage. It’s these moments of honesty that make Under Siege more than a concert film — it’s a time capsule of ambition, brotherhood, and metal’s unstoppable rise in the early ’90s.
🎸 The Lineup – Sepultura, 1991
- Max Cavalera – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Andreas Kisser – Lead Guitar
- Paulo Jr. – Bass
- Igor Cavalera – Drums
This was the classic lineup, firing on all cylinders — raw, relentless, and united by purpose.
🔊 Crannk It Up!
More than three decades later, Under Siege (Live in Barcelona) remains one of the most intense live documents in metal history — a must-watch for fans of Arise, and a reminder of why Sepultura’s name still echoes through the halls of metal.
So dim the lights, grab your beverage of choice, and Crannk it up loud enough that your neighbors enjoy it too!
Watch the full concert here:
Stay heavy,
Jim “The Rabbit Warlock” Taylor 🐇⚡
