If you’re a fan of heavy music, Max Cavalera needs no introduction. From Sepultura to Soulfly to Cavalera Conspiracy and beyond, Max has carved out one of the most legendary careers in metal. I had the chance to catch up with him for a candid and wide-ranging conversation, and as always, Max kept it real.
First Priest Riffs and Favorite Albums
When I asked about the first Judas Priest riff he ever learned, Max lit up.
“We had a friend in Brazil who was a huge Priest fan. He showed me Unleashed in the East—‘Exciter,’ ‘Diamonds and Rust,’ ‘The Ripper’... that album was huge for me.”
While Screaming for Vengeance played a role in shaping his metal roots, Max says his favorite Priest album is the underrated Point of Entry.
“I love that one, man. It’s off-the-wall and more melodic. ‘Solar Angels’ is just a great track.”
Staying Active in Phoenix
Despite years of touring and physical wear, Max says he’s in decent shape.
“Right now, it’s my back, believe it or not. My knee’s okay—I’ve had three surgeries, but it’s holding up. I hike a lot in Phoenix. There are mountains everywhere, and it really helps.”
Mornings with Max: Coffee First, Guitar Later
So what’s a typical morning like for a metal icon?
“I wake up around 5:30. First thing—coffee. My sons keep telling me I should start with water, but I haven’t done that yet.”
Max also drives his grandkids to school around 6:30, then gets into music mode.
“I listen to some tunes, catch up on the news, and then I play guitar. That’s part of my daily routine.”
Practicing Riffs and Learning from the Legends
Max is constantly sharpening his guitar skills—especially when a tour’s coming up.
“Right now I’m playing five or six hours a day. I don’t take formal lessons, but I watch a lot of YouTube videos—stuff from Carcass, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath.”
He says cover songs are a great way to learn and stay inspired.
“You learn how other musicians build riffs. It’s a great way to grow.”
Addressing the Accusations
Max’s longtime guitarist left the band recently and claimed Max didn’t reach out during the pandemic. Max didn’t hold back in his response.
“He never called me either. I treated him like a brother—my wife treated him like a son for 18 years. COVID hit, and we were all stressed. Our manager even tried to help him get financial support, but he didn’t fill out the paperwork. Then he blamed Soulfly. That’s on him. He’s a grown man.”
Max called the accusations “pure BS,” and emphasized that he can’t hold someone’s hand for everything.
Business vs Brotherhood
When I asked if they were close offstage, Max made it clear:
“We were never that close. Mark didn’t talk much. It was more of a business partnership. With my other bands, the friendships are stronger.”
Shoutout to Charles Elliott and Go Ahead and Die
Max gave props to Charles Elliott from Abysmal Dawn, who worked as the engineer on the Go Ahead and Die album he made with his son.
“Charles did a great job. That album has such an old-school sound, and I’m really proud of how it came out.”
Looking Ahead: Soulfly Hits the Road
With a tour on the horizon, Max is pumped—especially with metal legend Dino Cazares (Fear Factory) joining the live lineup.
“He’s bringing power and presence to the Soulfly camp. These shows are going to be amazing. One of a kind.”
Final Thoughts
As always, Max Cavalera brings the energy, the honesty, and the passion that’s made him a true icon. Whether he’s hiking in the Phoenix desert or tearing through riffs onstage, he’s still blowing it up—and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Catch Soulfly on tour, and keep your coffee hot.
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
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