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MAX CAVALERA is returning to 'tribal groove power' on next SOULFLY album: “let's go back to what it was in the beginning”

Photo credit: Jim Louvau

26-11-2024

In a new interview with Dave Rumbler of Metal-RoosSOULFLY frontman Max Cavalera confirmed that he is working on the follow-up to 2022’s “Totem” album for a 2025 release. Regarding the musical direction of the new SOULFLY material, he said: “It will be very tribal, back to basics. I’m gonna let SOULFLY be SOULFLY again. I kind of stopped SOULFLY from being SOULFLY for a couple of years, and I kind of regret that a little bit. But now that I have CAVALERA and GO AHEAD AND DIE and KILLER BE KILLED, I get to really let SOULFLY be SOULFLY. Let’s go back to what it was in the beginning. It’s that tribal groove power that people love. So I’m creating a record with that.”

Max, who turned 55 years old in August, went on to say that he has no plans of slowing down in the coming years. “I was put on this planet to do this, and that’s all I wanna do,” he said. “It’s all I know how to do and it’s all I wanna do… Of course, we change as people as we get older, but I think there’s some things in me, they are the same as they were when I was 15 years old — my passion for metal, how I feel about going on the stage and the goosebumps, the excitement is like a drug. You can’t really get that anywhere else except on the stage. And those things don’t change. And I love that.

“To me, I’m always looking forward to whatever tour we’re doing, whatever album we’re making,” he continued. “There are challenges, but at the same time, they are great life opportunities. And I live life for the moment. I’m not one of those guys that — I don’t live thinking 10 years from now. I live for right now for this, ’cause I don’t know what’s 10 years from now. I live the moment, and in the moment, this is what’s going on right now. I grab it with both hands, man, and enjoy. And I try to teach that to my kids — enjoy the moment. It’s a great thing. It’s good to be alive. It’s good to share this feeling with people around you. It’s incredible. It’s an incredible thing.”

SOULFLY is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, “Totem”, which came out in August 2022 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2018’s “Ritual” was recorded at Platinum Underground in Mesa, Arizona by John Aquilino and Arthur Rizk with assistance from John Powers. Produced by Max Cavalera alongside Arthur Rizk (KREATORMUNICIPAL WASTECODE ORANGE),the LP boasts guest appearances from John Powers (ETERNAL CHAMPION),Chris Ulsh (POWER TRIP), and John Tardy (OBITUARY). Rizk was also responsible for playing lead guitar on the record. The artwork for the album was created by James Bousema.

Max Cavalera comments on the album: “‘Totem’ is a celebration of the spiritual nature. It was a two-year journey writing with my son and SOULFLY drummer Zyon. This album is about all the joy, the fun and the anger in metal.”

“Totem” track listing:

01. Superstition
02. Scouring The Vile
03. Filth Upon Filth
04. Rot In Pain
05. The Damage Done
06. Totem
07. Ancestors
08. Ecstasy Of Gold
09. Soulfly XII
10. Spirit Animal

In August, SOULFLY parted ways with longtime guitarist Marc Rizzo due to personal differences. A permanent replacement guitarist has yet to be announced. FEAR FACTORY‘s Dino Cazares played guitar for SOULFLY on the summer 2021 U.S. tour and once again handled second-guitar duties on the band’s most recent run of shows.

‘Totem’ will be available in the following formats:

  • CD Jewelcase
  • Blue Cassette (Limited to 300)
  • Long Box 
    • CD Jewelcase
    • Sticker
    • Pin
  • Vinyl
    • Black
    • Gold

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