Soulfly frontman, and hardcore metal god Max Cavalera is in the UK to promote the new Soufly album "Dark Ages", an album written & recorded during a rather dark period in the Cavalera household, after personal tragedy and the loss of good friend Dimbag Darrel.
We have been given the opportunity to have a quick chat with the man himself about the album, his favorite tracks, and music that he's getting into right now.
Today Max chooses not to use an alias, and after having to spell out his surname to the phone receptionist, his phone rings -
Hi, could I speak to Max please?
This is him
Oh hi, I wasn't expecting you to answer the phone there
Oh yea,
Ok first off many thanks for taking a bit of time to have a quick chat, anyway I was wondering how is Max, the family and everyone?
Oh everything is great, we are just over doing a little bit of promotion here at the moment, and then getting ready for the release of the record and going on tour, But I'm very exited for the record and everything else.
Of course, the album is due for release in September, how would you describe the sound of this album?
Yea, ermm, well I thinks it's more aggressive and kind of more explosive, then the other records, maybe it's been a different outlet. I think Dark Ages is maybe similar to like Soulfly 1, but the complete opposite I think, that was Implosive, where Dark Ages is is more explosive as it explodes in all different directions, I think it's a very exciting record, and I'm very happy with it.
Is there any tracks you would recommend, or do you have a favorite?
Well most of the tracks are very aggressive and direct it does have different vibes, I like Molotov a lot which is a hardcore tune, It's got a kinda discharge influence and it's got lyrics in Russian and I also sing in Portuguese.
Ah Right
It's a very good song, it's only two minutes, that's another good thing it's quick.
Hahah, Have you been playing many of the new tracks live?
Yea we have played some new tracks on our tour with Morbid Angel in the states, and we got to play Front Lines, which we've made a video for too.
We played in Longbeach the other week and we played Babylon which is the first track, and it was really really good, and went down live really well.
I was going to ask how the reaction had been to the new stuff
Yea it's been very cool, surprising enough there has been alot of singing in the chorus for babylon and for frontline, I'm sure they have heard it on the internet.
Hahahaha, yea
But it's a very exciting time for Soulfly because I think it's showing a more mature, powerful side, with Dark Ages we are kinda saying, move out of the way we are coming, you know.
Do you have any idea when you and the band will be back to play here in the UK?
Yea we are looking at about January/February at the moment, coz we are on tour in the US when the album comes out till the end of the year, then we'll be in the UK and Europe
Excellent!
Ok, I was hoping that you may have some words of wisdom or advice you could give any up and coming bands?
Hmmm, well, being the way I am I don't think they want my advice.
Hahahahah
That's if they want their carrier to continue
Get a day job, don't do it? Hahaha
Hahaha Yea, I'm not the guy for the job
Ok, moving on, What was the last CD you bought? or what is Max listening to at the moment?
I've been listening to a little bit of Jimi Hendrix, yea I've been getting into some of the older stuff, of course I've been listening to some new things like Throwdown, Bloodsimple I've also been listening to some different styles of music, like Dub music and some soundtracks, I like the Unleashed soundtrack by Massive Attack, it's pretty cool, I like that bizarre dark shit you know.
Ok, and finally? (The super power question) If you were a superhero, what superpower do you think you would have?
Well, you know what, the way things are I think I'd be the invisible man, and just disappear, and get away from everything you know.
Ok, I know you've got a pressing schedule, so I'll let you crack on with your day, thanks ever so much for the time.
That's no problem, thank you, hopefully we'll see you on the tour.
Yes hopefully you will.....