Sepultura, Hidden Intent @ The Gov, Adelaide 23/3/2026
This was not just any other show and the magnitude of the occasion was not lost either on the fans who gathered at The Gov on Monday night for the celebration of Brazilian metal lords Sepultura forty year plus career which is coming to an end after this world tour. With the show spanning nearly two hours the sign of how good it was is the fact that the fans wanted more. The influence on the genre is significant and impactful with the back catalogue continuing to stand the test of time etching itself in to metal history.
It was great for Adelaide to sell this out and ensure that this celebration was a memorable one and one that is talked about for many years to come. Sepultura is Derrick Green (vocals), Andreas Kisser (guitar), Paulo Jr (bass) and newish drummer Greyson Nekrutman.
First up was Adelaide’s very own Hidden Intent who more than proved that they can mix it with the best of them and show them how it’s done. Definitely a dream gig to land for these guys and will look good on the band’s CV playing the “Adelaide farewell to Sepultura”. Even with a broken string it didn’t stop them from playing an absolute blinder. Ripping through The Ruins and crowd favourite Addicted To Thrash they were on. Social justice inspired Breaking Point, Behind The Mask and the Wolf Creek vibes of A Place Of Horror went down well. Cursed And Bound was dedicated to the late Phil Campbell of Motorhead finishing in a blaze of glory on Terraform, Dead Destiny and fan fav Drop Bears Are Real.
The sense of anticipation and excitement continued to build and the pre-set music with tribal vibes heightened those feels with an almighty roar as Sepultura took the stage. It was a rampaging start with Beneath The Remains setting the tone and it was fire and brimstone playing at full ferocity. The band left nothing to spare playing as if their lives depended on it. Serious questions would have to be asked of anyone who didn’t like what they experienced. Yes, they have played Adelaide many times over the journey but this is the one we will be remembering.
Derrick Green is an imposing character and sung with such power. With sweat glistening off his body was another reminder of how much he was putting in. Inner Self followed then Desperate Cry with Green yelling “Adelaide, let me fucking hear you” which was the cue for crowd surfers to start. With a lengthy set list and plenty of ground to cover Green said they would get in to the “time machine” and play the hits as well as the “new shit”. Kairos, Means To An End and Attitude were top notch. The crowd were in to it and it is clear as day to see how much these songs to the fans.
Green took a moment to reflect on how good Australia has been to them over the forty two years adding that they had recorded four new songs. The Place being one of those was the second time played ever. Green asked for feedback after saying “enjoy that?” Going back to old school Sepultura, last century even, with Propaganda it was the “percussion jam” in Kaiowas that also featured members of their crew drumming on stage. Captivating, bold, attention grabbing moment seeing all these extra people pummelling away on drums. That intensity continued on Guardians Of The Earth.
Going down memory lane playing the “old shit” with Escape To The Void and Dead Embryonic Cells. Agony Of Death was another highlight offering a brief reprieve before pulling Orgasmatron dedicated to Phil Campbell of Motorhead which morphed in to Troops Of Doom. Hot damn! The barrage of Territory, “yes Adelaide this is your fucking territory”, Refuse/ Resist and Arise were Earth shattering and got the crowd moving.
The encore started with a drum solo and it was long until the rest of the band returned for the traditional Ratahamatta and the iconic Roots Bloody Roots which sent the fans in to hyperdrive. Thanks Sepultura for forty two years of awesome, we won’t forget this show for a long time.
Live Review By Rob Lyon