For four decades, Max Cavalera has been synonymous with the fusion of extreme metal and tribal rhythm. In a new interview with Ed Hackimer of “This Day In Metal,” the Soulfly and former Sepultura frontman opened up about his legacy not just as a musician, but as a cultural ambassador who brought the grit and spirit of Brazil to a global audience.
Cavalera expressed deep gratitude for how his music resonates with fans in regions that face socioeconomic struggles similar to those in his homeland.
“It’s been great, man. I love the fact that a lot of — not just Brazil, but a lot of third world countries, a lot of the more broken kind of countries, [where they] have a lot of crime or poverty or problems with society, they embrace me as kind of like, that I’m their voice,” Cavalera told Hackimer (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And that’s been really cool for many years.”
Reflecting on his journey from the streets of Brazil to the world’s biggest stages, Cavalera acknowledged the responsibility he feels to represent his roots positively.
“I feel like Brazil, there’s so much bad s**t. It’s a beautiful country, but there’s a lot of bad s**t,” he explained. “And we only have a couple of good things that come out of Brazil. I feel like I’ve been carrying that flag and that torch now for 40 years. [I’m] probably the most worldwide recognized Brazilian musician right now in the rock world.”
He emphasized that this status is meaningful precisely because of his humble beginnings: “It’s so cool, ’cause we came from nothing. It was us against the world.”
One of Cavalera‘s proudest achievements is how his discography has served as an educational tool for Western fans who might otherwise know little about South American culture.
“I love the fact that I also kind of introduced the Brazilian culture to Americans, to Europeans, and they really appreciate that, man,” Max said. “I talked to a lot of fans that they didn’t know a lot of stuff about Brazil until they learned from my songs, either Sepultura or Soulfly.”
He clarified, however, that this isn’t about blind nationalism.
“I’m very proud of it, but not proud in a nationalistic [way], ‘Oh, Brazil is better than everybody.’ None of that,” he said. “I love the grit that we have. The culture is beautiful. It’s powerful. And I like to mix that with metal.”
This cultural thread remains vibrant in Soulfly‘s latest output. The band’s thirteenth studio album, Chama, released on October 24 via Nuclear Blast Records, is steeped in these themes.
“Chama is very Brazilian in its essence. The name is Brazilian, the songs — ‘Favela‘, ‘Indigenous Inquisition‘. There’s a lot of Brazil in Chama, which is, I don’t know why that happened; it just kind of went that way,” Cavalera noted.
As for institutional accolades like the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Cavalera remains unbothered by the lack of recognition.
“Other things haven’t happened yet, like Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame hasn’t called me or anything like that. But I don’t know. If it happens, it happens. It’ll be cool. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It’s all good. But I know that the fans love it.”
Chama was co-produced by Max‘s son and Soulfly drummer Zyon Cavalera alongside Arthur Rizk, with artwork by Carletta Parrish.
