Max And Iggor Cavalera Declined Invitation To Sepultura’s Farewell Show

Brazilian heavy metal pioneers Sepultura are currently finalizing the details for their ultimate farewell concert. However, guitarist Andreas Kisser has officially confirmed that the band’s founding brothers, Max Cavalera and Iggor Cavalera, have rejected offers to participate in the historic event.

The brothers were essential to the group’s legendary early era. Max Cavalera famously departed the lineup in 1996 following intense internal disputes regarding the band’s management, which was handled by his wife, Gloria. His brother Iggor Cavalera stayed behind the drum kit until his own exit a decade later in 2006. In recent years, the siblings have reunited to tour and re-record classic material under the Cavalera banner.

Hoping to end the band’s massive 40-plus-year career on a unified note, Andreas Kisser recently extended an olive branch. In a 2024 public statement, he urged his former bandmates to put the past behind them for the sake of the fans.

“We don’t care who is right or wrong. We’re never gonna get to that point. We have different point of views and different perspectives about same historical events and stuff. So let’s jam, let’s have a good time for the fans, for us, for ourselves, and really close this amazing 43 years or 44, whatever it’s gonna be at the time, in peace with ourselves, and really reach for something different afterwards. At least in my point of view, I like to, of course, continue with music and everything, but maybe do something different. Who knows?” he said at the time.

Unfortunately, those reunion hopes have officially been dashed. During a new interview with Metal Hammer, the guitarist revealed that both brothers turned down the proposal after initial outreach efforts.

“We did invite the Cavalera brothers. I spoke to Iggor personally on a phone call a few months ago and we started some communication. Even our managers went to talk to their management and stuff. But, they don’t want to be a part of it, and that’s OK. It’s a choice.”

He added that he simply wanted to celebrate the legacy of their groundbreaking albums with the people who helped create them.

“[It could be] like it was on Roots, you know? Despite all the f**king crazy stuff around it, we managed to make that album and finish what we had to do, you know?”

In addition to finalizing their ultimate performance, Sepultura is preparing to release their final studio album, The Cloud Of Unknowing, on April 24.

Three days ago, Sepultura shared new details about their upcoming appearance at Rock in Rio, revealing that their September 5, 2026 set will completely avoid material from the Max Cavalera era. The band will focus entirely on songs written and recorded during the tenure of current frontman Derrick Green. As a result, fan-favorite classics like “Roots Bloody Roots,” “Territory,” and “Desperate Cry” will not be part of the performance.

Sepultura wrote in an Instagram post (translated from Portuguese to English via Google translate): “Opening the World Stage on September 5th, Sepultura brings to Rock City an unprecedented and exclusive show, playing only songs from the Derrick Green era, showcasing the power of one of the greatest Brazilian and world metal bands.”

“The band bids farewell to the festival’s history with a performance that carries a unique significance: it will be their last show at Rock in Rio and the penultimate of their world tour, before their final performance in São Paulo.”

Sepultura Farewell Tour Dates:

Australian Dates:

1. 03/26 – Sydney, AUS – Liberty Hall
2. 03/27 – Sydney, AUS – Liberty Hall
3. 03/29 – Brisbane, AUS – The Tivoli

North American Tour (Featuring Exodus, Biohazard, & Tribal Gaze):

1. 04/29 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
2. 05/01 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
3. 05/02 – London, ON – London Music Hall
4. 05/04 – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
5. 05/05 – Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
6. 05/06 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
7. 05/07 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
8. 05/08 – New Orleans, LA – The Civic Theatre
9. 05/10 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville (Sepultura only)
10. 05/11 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
11. 05/12 – Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall
12. 05/13 – Reading, PA – Reverb
13. 05/15 – Chicago, IL – Ramova Theatre
14. 05/16 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple (no Exodus or Tribal Gaze)
15. 05/17 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
16. 05/19 – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
17. 05/21 – Denver, CO – The Ogden Theatre
18. 05/22 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
19. 05/23 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club
20. 05/25 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
21. 05/26 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park
22. 05/28 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre
23. 05/29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

European Tour Dates:

1. 06/06 – Maastricht, NET – South Of Heaven
2. 06/07 – Plzen, CZE – MetalFest
3. 06/08 – Zagreb, CRO – Tvornica Kulture
4. 06/09 – Milan, ITA – Circolo Magnolia
5. 06/10 – Rome, ITA – Eur Social Park
6. 06/12 – Interlaken, SWI – Greenfield
7. 06/13 – Nickelsdorf, AUT – Nova Rock
8. 06/14 – Wuerzburg, GER – Posthalle
9. 06/17 – Saarbrucken, GER – Garage
10. 06/19 – Clisson, FRA – Hellfest
11. 06/20 – Dessel, BEL – Graspop Metal Meeting
12. 06/21 – Lisbon, POR – Rock In Rio Lisboa
13. 06/23 – Oberhausen, GER – Turbinenhalle
14. 06/24 – Potsdam, GER – Waschhaus Potsdam
15. 06/25 – Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhell
16. 06/26 – Huskvarna, SWE – Folkets Park
17. 06/27 – Oslo, NOR – Tons Of Rock
18. 06/30 – Athens, GRE – Release Athens
19. 07/29 – Wacken, GER – Wacken Open Air
20. 08/01 – Helsinki, FIN – Tavastia
21. 08/02 – Tallinn, EST – Tallinn Rock Festival
22. 08/05 – Villena, SPA – Leyendas del Rock
23. 08/07 – Walton-on-Trent, UK – Bloodstock Festival
24. 08/09 – Dublin, IRE – 3Arena