Soulfly have long been a force unto themselves, spearheading the movement of groove metal over twelve previous albums, integrating tribal elements into metal with a passion and genuineness that is as undeniable as it is brutal.
Proudly wearing his Brazilian heritage as a badge of honour, frontman Max Cavalera has overseen Soulfly since its inception, consistently raising the sonic bar with every new body of work. This trend looks set to continue with the impending release of Chama on October 24.
The album is already being touted by those who have heard it as a return to the roots of Soulfly; a return to the gritty rawness that accentuated their early albums such as 1998's self-titled effort as well as Primitive, 3 and Prophecy. Capturing the essence of tribal lore in every breath of music, Soulfly are at their best when singing about their core ideologies, with Cavalera leading the charge with honest, meaningful appraisals of lost lives, land, and heritage.
Max himself has already said, "I'm excited to present it to long-time Soulfly fans, it's a revival of our original sound", a statement which may seem casual enough but is also one which has sent scores of fans around the world in musical raptures of anticipation.
HEAVY recently caught up with Max to go into greater detail. We start by asking if, after 13 albums with Soulfly and countless more with other projects, he still gets the same feeling of anticipation that accompanies an album release.
"Oh yeah," he replied instantly. "No matter how many albums you make, it's always the same; there's nervousness and anxiety. I probably have a bunch of ulcers from making records, but it's a cool excitement. It's fun. You're proud of the thing, you want to hear what people think of it because that's what fuels it. Everything that we do is for the fans to enjoy what we do, you know. But I think right now, Soulfly is being more inspired than ever before. I think this is a really good moment in Soulfly; a really inspirational moment to make a record like Chama. And the record is full of very strong songs and full of tribal grooves, kind of back to the tribal beginnings of Soulfly with a lot of real cool noise stuff in it, which makes it more modern. I've been joking that this album feels like tribal technology. You have the tribal beats, but with technology on top of it. If you love Soulfly, this album is definitely for you. This is an album made for Soulfly fans. If you don't like Soulfly, don't even waste your time."
In the full interview, Max further shared his excitement and anxiety about Chama, emphasizing its strong songs and a return to tribal influences, blending traditional beats with modern technology. He noted that the album is tailored for dedicated fans, with themes reflecting Brazilian culture, including songs in Portuguese and narratives inspired by personal and historical experiences. Notable tracks like Always Was Always Will Be and Indigenous Inquisition were highlighted for their experimental sounds and thought-provoking content, addressing issues such as the genocide of indigenous tribes.
Max also discussed the collaborative nature of the album's creation, involving his son Zyon as a producer, which brought a fresh perspective to the music. He expressed pride in the familial contributions to the project and the emotional challenges of writing authentically. The conversation included details about the upcoming Australian tour featuring Soulfly, NailBomb, and Snot, with Max expressing enthusiasm for the setlist and the opportunity to connect with fans. Overall, the album represents a significant moment for Max and Soulfly, capturing the essence of their musical journey while looking forward to future endeavours.
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