Soulfly recently treated audiences to a preview of their forthcoming album, debuting a new song titled “Favela Dystopia” live for the first time. The track received its premiere on July 8 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and was again featured in their powerful performance at Dorćol Platz in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 10. Fans in attendance, and those online via circulating video footage, are getting an early glimpse into the band’s next chapter. You can watch the performance down below.
“Favela Dystopia” is anticipated to be a part of Soulfly‘s upcoming record, which follows 2022’s Totem album. This new LP is tentatively slated for release in late 2025 or early 2026.
Max Cavalera, Soulfly‘s frontman, recently provided insights into the development of this new music during an interview with MetalUnderground.com. “We’re working on the new record right now. It’s going good, man. We’re taking our time to do it right,” Cavalera stated, detailing the recording process. He conveyed a sense of pride in the material, confirming, “We are in the process of finishing the recordings right now, and then we’re gonna start getting stuff mixed.”
Regarding the sound of the new Soulfly material, Cavalera highlighted a purposeful connection to the band’s roots. He described the album as possessing “the adventurous spirit of the first record” – a nod to their 1998 self-titled debut Soulfly. While drawing inspiration from that formative period, Cavalera emphasized that the new record is “sonically… pretty different,” noting it’s “more intricate and maybe even heavier, heavier grooves.” He views this as a “challenge” – to revisit that initial spark without merely replicating it, ensuring “the songs [themselves], they’re gonna have their own personality and their own vibe.”
Cavalera also hinted at the album’s potential release window, mentioning: “Right now I think we’re looking at October.” He confirmed the band’s strategy of introducing new tracks during their current European tour, which runs from June to late July. “We are gonna be playing one or two songs of the new record on that tour, which I think is great,” he said. He likened this approach to the early live performances of “Primitive” before its album release, allowing fans to “get a taste of this album a little bit before” its official drop, especially with online platforms enabling quick sharing.
The full setlist the Belgrade show was (according to Setlist.fm):
- “Seek ‘n’ Strike“
- “Prophecy“
- “No Hope = No Fear“
- “Downstroy“
- “Bring It“
- “Fire“
- “Porrada“
- “Back to the Primitive“
- “Superstition“
- “Bleed“
- “Tribe“
- “Bumba“
- “Boom“
- “No“
Encore:
- “Favela Dystopia” (New Song)
- “Jumpdaf**kup“
- “Eye for an Eye“
