Max Cavalera has offered a stark assessment of the modern music industry, stating in a new interview with Chaoszine that it’s “very difficult” for new bands to succeed in the current streaming-dominated landscape.
The Soulfly and former Sepultura frontman lamented the drastic changes from when his bands were starting out, specifically pointing to the collapse of album sales.
“It’s tough, man. It’s tough,” Cavalera said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “The record sales nowadays compared to what was 25 years ago. When Soulfly came out, [the first] Soulfly [album] was a gold record in America. [Sepultura‘s] Roots, [Soulfly’s] Primitive [were both] gold records… That doesn’t happen now.”
Cavalera explained that the burden on artists today is significantly heavier, requiring them to manage multiple roles just to survive.
“You have to do all the things now. You have to use social media. You have to go on tour. You have to sell shirts. You have to be creative. It’s tough,” he reiterated. “I think for a young band starting out right now, it’s very difficult. Much harder [than it used to be].”
He placed the blame on the architects of the current system, stating: “But it is what it is. They created this monster and they don’t know how to fix it. And it sucks that the musicians end up paying the price for it.”
Despite his frustration with the industry model, Cavalera affirmed his unwavering belief in the artistic value of the album format, which is why he continues to create.
“I’m glad that at least we’re still making albums. And there’s fans that love vinyl — they love the physical copy,” he said. “And there’s still a passion for this music, and I love that. And that’s why I will continue making records, because I believe in the album, I believe in the power of a record… It’s a magical thing… I’m always inspired by albums. I think it’s amazing.”
Soulfly is currently proving his point on the road for their “Favela Dystopia” 2025 West Coast tour, supporting their new album, Chama. The tour, which features Go Ahead And Die, continues tonight in Colorado Springs.
“Favela Dystopia” Remaining Tour Dates:
- Nov. 05 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
- Nov. 06 – Denver, CO – The Federal Theater
- Nov. 07 – Casper, WY – Oil City Beer Company
- Nov. 08 – Great Falls, MT – The Newberry
- Nov. 09 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
- Nov. 10 – Richland, WA – Ray’s Golden Lion
- Nov. 16 – Tacoma, WA – Airport Tavern
- Nov. 17 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
- Nov. 18 – Reno, NV – The Alpine
- Nov. 19 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz
- Nov. 20 – Fresno, CA – Strummers
- Nov. 21 – Bakersfield, CA – Temblor Brewing
- Nov. 22 – Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewery
- Nov. 23 – Flagstaff, AZ – Monte Vista Hotel
Ogorthul: Immersed in the bone-shattering world of death metal and beyond. I’m here to excavate the latest news, reviews, and interviews from the extreme metal scene for you.
