In a recent interview with Project Backstage in the Czech Republic, Max and Igor “Iggor” Cavalera discussed their approach to revisiting Sepultura’s early albums and re-recording them under the Cavalera name. The Brazilian band, who made history in metal, now sees much of their legacy live on through the Cavalera brothers’ projects, including Cavalera Conspiracy and the reissue of their older material.
A continuity between Sepultura and Cavalera
For Max Cavalera, the soul of Sepultura, as it was originally, is fully found in his Cavalera project. “The most important thing, the coolest thing, is that the original spirit of Sepultura is here with Cavalera. I think that’s what the fans feel the most.”Max said. He insists that this spirit is particularly evident when they play Sepultura songs on stage under the Cavalera banner, allowing them to reconnect with that raw energy of the early days.
Igor Cavalera, for his part, detailed the difference between Cavalera Conspiracy, which focuses on the creation of new tracks, and Cavalera, dedicated to re-recordings of Sepultura titles. “These are two sides of the same coin.”he explained, specifying that the essence of the group still rests on their brotherly bond and their common history. “It’s been Cavalera from the beginning. It was always about me and Max”he said.
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Sepultura’s classics reinvented
In 2023, the Cavalera brothers decided to re-record the iconic albums Morbid Visions and Bestial Devastation, bringing a new intensity to these metal classics. More recently, they closed this trilogy by reissuing Schizophrenia, Sepultura’s third iconic opus. The recording took place from April to June 2023 in Mesa, Arizona, with mixing and mastering done by Arthur Rizk, known for his work with Soulfly and Turnstile.
For this reissue, the Cavalera brothers have called upon Travis Stone, from the band Pig Destroyer, to provide lead guitar parts. On bass, it is Igor Amadeus Cavalera (son of Max) who has brought his talent, thus consolidating a team deeply rooted in the Cavalera universe. The original artwork of Schizophrenia has been restored by the artist Eliran Kantor, famous for his watercolor paintings.
A legacy that endures despite disruptions
Max Cavalera’s relationship with Sepultura broke down in 1996, following his departure from the band after internal disagreements. His brother Igor continued to play with the band for another ten years before leaving to form Cavalera Conspiracy with Max. Although the separation left its mark, Max has always maintained that the original creative spirit of Sepultura remains with him and his brother in their new projects.
Sepultura: A legendary band about to say goodbye
Although Sepultura has retained a loyal following around the world, Max-era albums, notably Roots and Chaos A.D., remain the band’s most commercially successful, having been certified gold in the United States.
In December 2023, Sepultura announced a world tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary, which also serves as a “farewell tour,” marking the end of their career. Today, the band consists of Andreas Kisser on guitar, Derrick Green on vocals, Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. on bass, and Greyson Nekrutman on drums, who replaced Eloy Casagrande earlier this year.
Interview with Max and Igor “Iggor” Cavalera with Project Backstage:
