The last time I reviewed Sepultura, at Rockharz, I asked for some own ideas instead of ripping of the Max Cavalera gimmick of bringing one's kids to the show.
Now, I’m not smug enough to say that a large band like Sepultura reads my scribbling and do what I say, but at Wacken we all sure did get our money’s worth when it came to own ideas!

“It’s very good to be here for the 2nd year in a row. Now, I’m in the mood, so let’s do this shit!”
- Derrick Green (vocals)

You see, Sepultura had a special show planned for the Wacken crowd, special since they had brought along a whole other group to play with them, the French percussion collective known as Les Tambours Du Bronx. They don’t actually have anything to do with the Bronx (New York) as such, but rather a part of Varennes-Vauzelles, France, which is also known as the Bronx. As Les Tambours simply translate to The Drums, the name simply means The Drums Of The Bronx.
Anyways, the merry little drummer boys were not just here for show, they were actually a well integrated part of the act, as shown by the fact that the entire first, well, song isn’t really the right word here but you know what I mean, was performed by them and them alone. Whether or not it was an improvised rhythmic show, or a track from their own group I cannot say (and we were never informed), but it was a refreshing and cool new way to open a concert. Sort of like Stomp, but without all the everyday equipment they use – Les Tambours Du Bronx utilised mainly oil-barrels, and a little bit of DJ oriented sounds and some metal pipes for their music.
As Sepultura are no strangers to the near tribal sounding beat of synchronized drumming, Les Tambours Du Bronx fit the show like a glove.

In fact, Les Tambours Du Bronx were an active part of almost the entire show, there was only a brief period of time in the middle of the set where Sepultura were playing by themselves, after which the Frenchmen were back again. Not only that, but the combo of groups even played some of Les Tambours Du Bronx’s songs, and a member of the group went centre stage at one point to share vocal duties with Green!
The two groups were not only doing each others’ songs though – I admit to being as sceptical as the rest of the crowd felt when it was announced that the unified orchestra would be playing a cover of The Prodigy’s song Firestarter. Not that I have anything against the original actually, but the idea of it felt out of place here.
I will also admit however, that not only did the bands pull it off with an outstanding version of the song, but they got the unified metalhead approval for it from the gathered crowd!

Before the show started, I didn’t hold high hopes of this being anything special actually. I didn’t expect it to be bad for sure, Sepultura is too much of an experienced band for that, and as Les Tambours Du Bronx have been around for as long as since 1987 I wouldn’t expect anything less from them (even though I didn’t know that piece of fact at the time), but I honestly didn’t think the show would be very memorable either.
Boy, was I wrong!
Helping matters along, the sun was once again showing us her pretty smile, and there was quite an impressive crowd gathered in front of the Black Stage, where the spectacle was taking place.
To begin with, things were a bit slow in the crowd department, but as time moved on and people were getting warmed up, both in their bodies but also to the idea of the show, we saw an ever growing amount of crowd surfers floating by, and the appreciative shouts grew ever louder.
Audience favourites like Refuse/Resist and the finishing Roots Bloody Roots were enormous hits as always, but with the large assortment of covers, as well as some unexpected choices of their own, we were presented with a setlist which paid homage to the general listener, but took extra care to give the enthusiast something interesting to bite down on as well.
The only thing that can be considered a letdown (surprise, surprise) was the god awful sound the band had to work with. One would think that after so many years in the business, Wacken would have sorted out issues like that, but no...

All in all though, this was one once-in-a-lifetime show (as far as I know) any Sepultura enthusiast should not miss though, and even for any newcomer to the band, improbable as though it may be, I’m sure it was quite the entertaining show as well, even though they could probably have done with a few more of the hits.
I can only say; “Bravo, Sepultura”, and hope they continue this trend of free-thinking renewal in their shows.

Setlist (incomplete):

Refuse/Resist (feat. LTDB)
Sepulnation (feat. LTDB)
Kairos
Mask
We’ve Lost You (feat. LTDB)
Structure Violence (Azzes) (feat. LTDB)
Requiem (LTDB cover, feat. LTDB)
Fever (LTDB cover, feat. LTDB)
Firestarter (The Prodigy cover, feat. LTDB)
Territory (feat. LTDB)
Ratamahatta (feat. LTDB)
Roots Bloody Roots (feat. LTDB)