Legendary frontman Max Cavalera has revealed that Soulfly’s upcoming album is shaping up to be a bold throwback to the band’s roots, channeling the same fiery energy and creative spirit that defined their 1998 self-titled debut.
In a recent interview with MetalUnderground.com, Cavalera shared an update on the band’s latest studio effort, which will follow 2022’s Totem. “We’re working on the new record right now,” he confirmed. “It’s going good, man. We’re taking our time to do it right… I’m very proud of the record.”
But what has fans buzzing is Cavalera’s reflection on the direction of the new material. While he noted that the sound is heavier and more intricate than their early work, the mindset behind it is pure old-school Soulfly.
“The record, it’s cool,” Cavalera explained. “It feels to me [like it] has the adventurous spirit of the first record. Sonically, it’s pretty different… but in terms of spirit and attitude, it’s similar to the first record.”
That first record, Soulfly, was a landmark release that helped define the nu-metal era with its fusion of tribal rhythms, groove-laden riffs, and raw emotion. Revisiting that headspace more than two decades and a dozen albums later was no small feat.
“It was kind of, like, ‘Let’s try to do this. Let’s see if you can use your first album as somehow some kind of inspiration for your thirteenth record,’” Cavalera said with a laugh. “That was great, man. I love that kind of vibe that the record has.”
The Brazilian metal icon emphasized that while the album draws inspiration from the past, it’s far from a rehash. “I don’t wanna just copy that first record either. There’s no point in doing that. I’m just using it as inspiration… The songs [themselves], they’re gonna have their own personality and their own vibe.”
Fans can also expect a dynamic mix of influences, echoing the band’s evolution over the years. “Some of the [other] records went more thrashy — like Dark Ages, Omen, Conquer — so to me, making a record that’s inspired by the beginning, that was a challenge. But a fun one.”
Cavalera sounds genuinely energized about the project, and he’s eager to see how fans respond. “That’s the cool thing about this record. It’s kind of, in a way, a return to what me and fans of Soulfly fell in love with Soulfly for… I’m excited to hear what the fans are gonna think about this one.”
While no official release date has been confirmed, Cavalera mentioned that they’re currently eyeing an October release for the album.
