"The
hardest part was realizing that I had to continue without Sepultura, and
I had to find the right people to do that," says Max Cavalera about the
formation of his new band, SOULFLY. "But the last thing I was gonna do
was stop playing music or give up."
Max
Cavalera's career has been defined by his belief in never giving up. As
co-founder (with his brother Igor) of the groundbreaking Brazilian hard
rock band Sepultura, Max defied convention by writing and performing the
kind of brutally heavy music that was popular around the world-but regarded
with distaste by the Brazilian music community. Despite incredible odds,
a lack of support at home, no contacts, and shaky communication skills,
Sepultura emerged from Brazil to become one of the most internationally
renowned heavy rock bands of the last decade. And with albums like Chaos
A.D. and Roots, the band pioneered a marriage of heavy rock and world music
that established Sepultura as one of the most innovative metal bands ever.
But
change is the only constant in the universe, and sure enough, differing
opinions on music, business, and career goals led to a parting of the ways
between Max and the rest of Sepultura. Coming on the heels of the devastating
death of his beloved friend and stepson, Dana Wells, the split admittedly
traumatized Max even further. However, the end of one era has given birth
to another, as Max assembled SOULFLY and found the new musicians and energy
he was craving.
"Putting
together this new band really helped me to deal with these things," confesses
Max. "Without SOULFLY, it would have been ten times harder. To me, music
has always been the thing through which I release all my stress and emotions.
Everybody who's ever seen me live or heard anything I've written knows
that. So continuing with my work really helped me through these fucked-up,
hard times.
"The
thing about these guys is that they have the attitude that I wanted in
a band," says Max," "which is to make music, play with fire, and not worry
about foolish things. These guys have that. It feels great to go in the
rehearsal room and get goosebumps about being in a group again."
The
first man to enlist when Max began his search in January '97 was Roy, formerly
drummer with New York avant-core band Thorn, plus a noted remixer and producer
in his own right. Next was Marcello, who Max knew very well already: he
was a Sepultura roadie for years. The final piece in the puzzle was Jackson,
who played guitar in Max's favorite Brazilian band, Chico Science and NACAO
ZUMBI. Sadly, Chico Science himself, had died-leaving the band's future
in doubt. But the tragedy did provide Jackson with the opportunity to join
Max and complete the lineup of SOULFLY. "He has his own style, his own
character, and a lot of new ideas," says Max. "It kind of reminds me of
the feeling I had when Andreas joined Sepultura-that he took Sepultura
to the next level. That's how I feel about Jackson. Blended with what I
was doing, it was the perfect combination."
That
combination is fully in effect on SOULFLY's self-titled debut album. Fans
of the monstrously heavy sound that Max established in Sepultura won't
be disappointed, as the album displays all the aggression and power that
is Max's trademark. But while songs like "Eye For An Eye" (the only song,
according to Max, that directly addresses the breakup with Sepultura) are
straightforward engines of brutality, the record also continues Max's determination
to expand his musical vocabulary.
"There's
a song called 'Bumba' (a Portuguese word that means 'big noise') that's
co-produced by Mario C., who's worked with the Beastie Boys, and it's the
first time I've explored the idea of mixing my music with sampling. It's
something I've wanted to do for a long time. I think this album will be
even more different in style than Roots, which gives you an idea of how
experimental it is. Of course, people are gonna hear a resemblance to Sepultura,
because it's my voice and I haven't changed my vocal style, and there's
riffs and tribal things in there that continue the types of things I've
done in Sepultura, but the album also goes beyond anything I've done before."
In
addition to Mario C., Soulfly features Burton C. Bell, Dino Cazares and
Christian Olde Wolbers from Fear Factory, Fred Durst and DJ Lethal from
Limp Bizkit, Chino from Deftones, Benji from Dub War, Eric Bobo from Cypress
Hill and Jorge DuPeixe and Gilmar Bola Oito also from Chico Science. Overseeing
the entire project is producer Ross Robinson, who collaborated with Sepultura
on Roots and made a name for himself producing bands like Korn and Limp
Bizkit.
Besides
assembling SOULFLY and recording the album, Max has kept busy in other
areas as well. In September, he gave an ardent address as one of three
keynote speakers (with Moby and Marilyn Manson) at New York's CMJ New Music
Marathon. Max's speech touched on his career, beliefs, and commitment to
heavy music in spite of music industry indifference and trendiness. Similar
spoken word appearances followed at the Crossing Border Festival in Holland,
where Max also jammed with Gil Scott Heron's band, and in Brussels, Belgium.
He's also guested on the new album by his good friends, the Deftones. And
in a weird twist of fate, Max has been asked to sing the jingle for a Sprite
soda commercial, to air early next year in Brazil. "What I'm gonna do,
they're probably not gonna accept. And if they do accept it, that's great,
'cause I'm gonna do something really off the wall and outrageous. For me,
it's a way of going against the corporation, rather than with it."
With
all this activity, Max nevertheless remains focused on the one thing that
has always meant the most to him: making music with passion and integrity.
And with the arrival of Soulfly, he's created possibly the most emotionally-charged
and personal album of his career.
"I
believe this album has been forged in tragedy," concludes Max. "It's kind
of weird, but true. There was a price for this record, and unfortunately,
it was a very high price: losing a really close friend and splitting with
people I played with for fifteen years. If Dana hadn't died and I had continued
with Sepultura, this might be a completely different record. So I think
everyone will listen and realize why this album is so intense and so personal."
