Sepultura have 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.
Instead, 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.
Band 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.”
The decision highlights the band’s continued emphasis on their post-1997 identity, nearly three decades after Green stepped in following Cavalera’s departure. Originally from Cleveland, Green made his name with Outface before relocating to New York and eventually joining Sepultura. He later spent many years living in São Paulo and now resides in Los Angeles.
The split that led to Cavalera’s exit in 1996 remains one of the most defining moments in the band’s history. Tensions arose after the rest of the group parted ways with his wife and manager, Gloria. His brother, Igor Cavalera, stayed with the band for another decade before eventually leaving and reuniting with Max in Cavalera Conspiracy.
The upcoming Rock In Rio show arrives during Sepultura’s ongoing farewell run, as they prepare to bring their long and influential career to a close. As part of that final chapter, the band recently announced a new EP, The Cloud of Unknowing, which will be released on April 24 via Nuclear Blast.
The EP features recordings with touring drummer Greyson Nekrutman, who joined in 2024 after the departure of longtime member Eloy Casagrande. According to guitarist Andreas Kisser, the band recorded four new tracks during a spontaneous session in Miami following their appearance on the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise, allowing for a more relaxed and exploratory creative process.
