Live Review: Sepultura in Paris

On October 30th, the Zenith in Paris, France, had its own Devil’s Night with the unique date of Sepultura. It was also the first date of their European tour so we can affirm that this concert was an event for heavy music fans, featuring a diverse lineup of iconic bands: Jesus Piece, Obituary, Jinjer, and of course, the one and only, Sepultura. Each of them brought their own unique brand of intensity and energy, making the night a true celebration of metal across genres and generations. A perfect concert to appreciate classics and discover new music. 

Kicking off the show, Jesus Piece was fierce and fresh. Known for blending hardcore with metallic undertones, this American band was energetic with their aggressive tempos and incredible breakdowns. The singer moved, ran, and jumped as the stage was his, a real show man that woke the crowd up and started the circle pits. What an explosive beginning and an amazing discovery. 

Next up, the legends of Death Metal, Obituary took the stage, bringing decades of death metal history with them. Formed in the 1980s in Florida, Obituary is one of the genre’s pioneers, and their performance was nothing short of classic. They started their set with their most iconic song ‘Redneck Stomp’, a perfect way to show the crowd why they’re still at the top of the game after all these years. Vocalist John Tardy’s growling, guttural voice sounded as powerful as ever, blending perfectly with Trevor Peres’ guitar work. 

Coming from Ukraine, Jinjer brought a progressive, technical edge to the lineup that added a dynamic shift in the night’s energy. Known for their genre-blending sound, Jinjer showcased all their latest singles, including the hit ‘Someone’s Daughter’ that highlights vocalist Tatiana Shmailyuk’s ability to switch seamlessly from clean to harsh vocals. Her range, combined with bassist Eugene’s intricate rhythms and Roman Ibramkhalilov’s guitar wizardry, made Jinjer’s performance a mesmerizing experience. We had the honor to hear their last single ‘Kafka’ from their next album Duél – which will come out in 2025 – live for the first time. Their live sound was powerful and precise with complex breakdowns and unexpected melodic sections. Jinjer’s set was a fusion of classic and modern metal that captivated everyone’s attention. 

Finally, the stage was set for Sepultura, the legendary Brazilian band that has shaped thrash and groove metal for nearly 40 years. With Derrick Green at the helm on vocals and original member Andreas Kisser on guitar, Sepultura’s performance was intense and explosive. Their new drummer Greyson Nekrutman showed us his amazing drum skills, at his young age he is set to become a real reference for the next generations of drummers. Opening with fan favorites like ‘Refuse/Resist’ and ‘Roots Bloody Roots’, the band showed why they are icons in the metal world. Green’s powerful vocals and Kisser’s blistering riffs ignited the crowd, who responded with a nonstop mosh pit and a lot of crowd surfers. Sepultura also played some tracks from their latest album, proving they’re not only about the classics but also committed to evolving their sound. From the back, their incredible visuals left us speechless, while their performance made the crowd go feral. It was a phenomenal auditive experience and spectacular show to watch. They delivered a remarkable set that the fans will never forget.

The night was a tour de force of metal, bringing together four bands that each represent a different shade of the genre. Jesus Piece introduced hardcore aggression, Obituary delivered old-school death metal, Jinjer added a progressive touch, and Sepultura closed with thrash mastery. This concert was a testament to metal’s diversity and its enduring power to unite fans of all generations. From raw energy to technical brilliance, each performance left the audience craving more, proving that metal, in all its forms, continues to be a thriving force in the music world.

Written by: Méline Fritz

Photographed by: Méline Fritz

Edited by: Noah F.