Cavalera is a name synonymous with heavy metal. The Cavalera brothers—Max and Igor—comprised one half of Brazil’s (and one of the world’s) greatest metal bands, Sepultura. Starting in the mid eighties, Sepultura released the early black/death metal albums Bestial Devastation and Morbid Visions. Schizophrenia and Beneath the Remains showed the band take a thrash approach. They fined tuned this thrash sound in the ensuing album, Arise, which proved to be their breakout recording. Those three are widely seen as significant albums in the thrash and death metal scenes. The following album, Chaos A.D, brought the band into the metal mainstream. Characterized by low-tuned guitars and tribal passages, Roots provided an outline that Max took with him to Soulfly. Unfortunately, Soulfly’s creation was the result of his departure from Sepultura.
After Max’s withdrawal, Sepultura continued on with new front man, Derrick Green. Soulfly toured America more often and on bigger tours than Sepultura. Although both groups persisted, both seemed lacking something special. That something could only be found through the chemistry created between Max and Igor. Recently, Igor put his drum sticks away, leaving Sepultura with a lone, original member (Paulo Jr.). However, after leaving Sepultura, he contacted Max for reconciliation. The two saw through their differences, reforming their bonds as brothers and friends.
Max and Igor shared many fond memories in Sepultura, so it was only a matter of time before the two returned to the studio. The appropriately-named Cavalera Conspiracy depicts a glorious return to form for these metal icons. Their debut album, Inflikted is arguably the best recording either has made since their split. Said album is the embodiment of a Cavalera project, yet manages to introduce fresh ideas and concepts. The thrashing speed of Sepultura, the groove and tribal sensibilities of Soulfly, and the punk rock attitude and electronic ambience of Nailbomb collide, causing maximum spinal damage and hearing loss. A gathering of new and old friends aided the brothers in the final product. These members include Gojira guitarist Joe Duplantier on bass, the virtuoso guitar talents of Soulfly band mate Marc Rizzo, and guest appearances by Rex Brown of Down and Max’s stepson/Incite member Ritchie Cavalera.
The release of Inflikted signifies an exciting time in Max Cavalera’s life. He has a new band, yet has renewed his relationship with an old friend. From his home in Arizona, the Cavalera Conspiracy vocalist and guitarist spoke to Blistering.com about this new chapter in his life.
Blistering.com: How does it feel to be working with your brother Igor again?
Max Cavalera: It feels really cool. It’s been a long time, more than ten years, but it was worth the wait. The CD is getting a lot of good attention around the world. The fans are digging it. To be honest with you, I’m just happy to be talking to him again because it was very hard not talking to him for so long, as a brother, as a blood. Once we got past that, I couldn’t help it, I’m such a freak about music, and I love music that I dragged Igor back into it. Igor quit Sepultura, saying he was taking a break from playing drums, and I pulled him right back into the action. For that, I’m guilty as charged [laughs]! I know he’s happy. He was here in Phoenix yesterday. He is really happy doing the Conspiracy! It is something completely different. It is a new start for me and him. I’m happy to be jamming with my brother again. I can’t wait to get this thing on the road, and show the fans how it works!
Blistering.com: How did you two get back on good terms?
MC: Actually, it started with Igor. We were on the road with Soulfly and Igor pretty much called out of the blue. He just wanted to talk to me. He wanted to be friends again, be brothers again. It was reconciliation as brothers. I told him to come to Phoenix, I was doing a show. Igor knew Dana. I said, “Soulfly is playing. You can check out the show, and meet my kids and family again.” He came and it was just awesome. We ended up jamming “Roots” and “Attitude.” The place went off the minute we hit “Roots.” The entire place went ballistic. That’s when I realized I should work with him more. It is too precious; this connection I have with Igor is really strong, and all the fans feel it. I’m glad that he made the decision to call me and put all that behind us, so we could have a fresh start. I’m very happy that that happened. I’m very stoked about the record. The reaction of the fans has been great.
Blistering.com: Please tell our readers about forming Cavalera Conspiracy.
MC: It first started with me jamming “Roots” with him live. It led me to wanting to record a whole album with him. I actually lied to him. I told him, “Igor, I got all these songs. I have a whole album done. We just need to go into the studio and do it.” Of course, I didn’t have anything [laughs]. I was just trying to get him excited to come play with me again. I remember him looking at me the next morning and saying, “You’re in trouble, man. You better write some shit” [laughs]. I grabbed my guitar and started writing like a maniac. I pretty much spent all my morning, day and night writing riffs with Igor in mind. It was really great, I really needed that. It was good therapy. Once Igor heard the riffs, he got excited, so we all went to L.A. and recorded. Although I had the riffs and the songs ready, we redid them in the studio. We made them better, more exciting. That’s pretty much how it happened.
What’s really cool about it is we didn’t really plan it; it came out of nowhere. We kept the raw vibe. The album is more metal and hardcore than anything I’ve done in a long time. All these elements to me, together with the fact that I’m playing with Igor again, which is amazing to me, makes for a special record. This is one that I’ll never forget. It will go down as one of the most special albums I made in my whole career.
Blistering.com: Initially, you called the band Inflikted, which is the title of your album. Why did you change your name?
MC: We couldn’t use it because there were a bunch of Web sites with that name. We would have had a wide variety of complications if we used that name. We were a little more open when we made a new name. Cavalera Conspiracy came as a backup name. Looking back, I think it was a better name for the group because it reflects more on me and Igor. It’s a conspiracy of music and of brothers. At first, I was bummed out because I couldn’t use that name, but looking back I see this name fit better with the album and me and Igor. I still got to call the album Inflikted, which is killer because that is the name that I really like. In the end, it worked out for the best. I’m glad we did it.
