Artist: SOULFLY
Album: SAVAGES BLACK RED VINYL (2LP)

Year: 2013
Media type: LP

Max Cavalera is the walking embodiment of creative energy, of all of the diverse layers of urgency that are possible from that select few whose artistic output defines genres. Mystic shaman, protest singer, revolutionary hero, everyday metalhead, furious consumer of heavy music of all shades, husband, father, leader, songwriter… Cavalera reigns as the adoptive tribal chief of a generation of fans, stretching from the roughest slums of South America to the coldest confines of Russia. Anywhere that people are disenfranchised, the songs of SOULFLY serve as their anthems.

Armed with Cavalera’s four-stringed guitars, unmistakable growl and instantly recognizable riffage, the muddy tones and constant rhythmic bounce of SOULFLY has retained its gritty edge while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in metal. »Savages« represents a career-defining moment, solidifying the lineup with longtime lead guitarist Marc Rizzo (who has been in SOULFLY almost as long as Max was in SEPULTURA), bassist Tony Campos (Static X, Ministry, Prong) and Max’s 21 year-old Zyon, who splits his time between drumming in LODY KONG and now SOULFLY. 

“All of the things that make SOULFLY killer are combined in Savages,” Max declares.

»Savages« melds the most brutal, the heaviest and overall the most vibrant components that made up each record in SOULFLY’s diverse catalog. By Max’s own account, »Savages« is possessed of the tribal groove of the first two SOULFLY albums, particularly in songs like ‘Bloodshed’, ‘Ayatollah of Rock ‘N’ Rolla’ and ‘Master of Savagery’. But there’s also the thrash metal that was found on DARK AGES and OMEN; whereas the CAVALERA CONSPIRACY records contain short, punky bursts, the new SOULFLY record gets into the epic length territory of early METALLICA. The death metal vibe of SOULFLY’s »Enslaved« emerges in songs like ‘Fallen’ and ‘Cannibal Holocaust’.
 
“I really like the name »Savages«. I like single words that sound powerful, like ‘Primitive’, ‘Roots’, ‘Arise’,” Max explains. “It’s about the human condition right now. We have the Internet and we’re working on missions to Mars, but we are still decapitating each other and blowing up marathons. We’re still savages. Even with technology and how far we’ve come in the world, our spirit is still that of a savage.”

A trailblazing pioneer and musician with millions of albums sold who nevertheless retains boundless street cred due to his grimy, raw and undeniable authenticity; Max Cavalera is one of the most prolific artists the realm of heavy music has ever known. There’s CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, which reunited Max with his brother and former bandmate, Igor Cavalera. There was the brutal attack of NAILBOMB, Max’s collaboration with Alex Newport from FUDGE TUNNEL, which included members of DEAD KENNEDYS, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, BIOHAZARD and NEUROSIS on-stage. There’s his forthcoming band with members of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, MASTODON and THE MARS VOLTA. Of course, there’s Max’s unassailable work as SEPULTURA’s founder, leading the Brazilian band from their badass lo-fi beginnings, through their era of sophisticated thrash classics, up through the cultural landmark that is ‘Roots’.

SOULFLY began almost instantaneously after his departure from the band he founded. The eponymously titled debut »Soulfly« sold over 500,000 copies in the United States alone, further expanding upon the tribal foundation of ‘Roots’ with percussive instrumentation, forays into esoteric sounds and multiple guest performers. Across the seven albums and never-ending tours that followed, Max worked with a who’s-who of the heavy music scene as band mates, guest musicians and touring members, including guys from SLIPKNOT, SLAYER, MEGADETH, DEFTONES, RADIOHEAD, STONE SOUR, CYPRESS HILL, MACHINE HEAD, DEVILDRIVER, FEAR FACTORY, MORBID ANGEL, THROWDOWN, S.O.D., SKINDRED, BORKNAGAR, WILL HAVEN and CATTLE DECAPITATION, among others.

In addition to Max’s own self-production, a number of important producers have lent their skills to SOULFLY, including »Roots« producer Ross Robinson (KORN, AT THE DRIVE-IN), Toby Wright (Ozzy Osbourne, SLAYER), Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), ex-SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GORJIA) and Zeuss (HATEBREED, SUICIDE SILENCE) and Terry Date (PANTERA, DEFTONES).

Side A: 
1. Bloodshed 
2. Cannibal Holocaust 
3. Fallen 
 
Side B: 
1. Ayatollah Of Rock ‘N’ Rolla 
2. Master Of Savagery 
3. Spiral 
 
Side C: 
1. This Is Violence 
2. K.C.S. 
3. El Comegente 
 
Side D: 
01. Soulfliktion 
 
Bonus Tracks: 
2. Fuck Reality 
3. Soulfly IX

LINE-UP:

Max Cavalera | lead vocals/guitar
Marc Rizzo | lead guitar
Tony Campos | bass, backing Vocals 
Zyon Cavalera | drums