Max Cavalera
Encyclopedia
Massimiliano Antonio "Max" Cavalera (born August 4, 1969) is a Brazil
ian singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal
band Sepultura
, before forming Soulfly
in the late 1990s. Cavalera was also involved in a short-lived side project, Nailbomb
, and is currently performing with Soulfly
and another project, Cavalera Conspiracy
.
Max's family was in a state of financial crisis and family turbulence when he formed Sepultura
with his younger brother Iggor
and Wagner Lamounier
, later adding Paulo Jr.
and Jairo Guedes after Lamounier left the band.
In the early 1990s he relocated to Phoenix
, Arizona
. He did not begin to make "spiritual" music until after he quit Sepultura. His earlier lyrics for Soulfly were influenced by religion and spirituality
, though he is very critical of religion. His later albums, starting with Dark Ages
, began to incoporate lyrical themes of violence, warfare, anger, and hatred. His albums have all been dedicated to God, and he has often been depicted by the press as a man of religion, especially in America, something that Cavalera himself says he does not understand. As he himself put it:
When asked in an interview whether he was a Christian and whether Soulfly was a Christian band, he said:
He also stated that he does believe in God, "But it might be different than the God the preacher preaches about."
Of enduring influence to his music is the untimely death of Dana Wells, his stepson, who was killed after the release of Roots in 1996. The songs "Bleed
", "First Commandment", "Pain
", and "Tree Of Pain" are tributes to Wells, as well as Deftones
' song "Headup", in which Cavalera co-wrote and was featured.
He has reunited with his brother Igor
, in their band Cavalera Conspiracy
, and wrote and performed on Soulfly
's Conquer
, which was released in 2008.
In November 2011 Cavalera announced that he was working on an autobiography, for publication in 2012: his co-writer is the British author Joel McIver
and the book's foreword will be written by Dave Grohl
.
Warlock, and now plays a custom ESP
6 String signature guitar. Designed to his specifications and based on the Viper design, the guitar features a Seymour Duncan SH6 Distortion pickup. A budget version (with a stock pickup) is sold under the LTD moniker. Another signature guitar produced by ESP, based on the AX model, is white with a Soulfly logo inlays. He also used a series of Gibson SG
guitars during his later years in Sepultura and on the first two Soulfly albums and the tours that supported them. For 2011, ESP did a new signature model for Max, called the Max Cavalera EX, which consists in a single Seymour Duncan
distortion and Soulfly logo inlays. He plays through a Peavey 3120, and also used Peavey 6505.
Cavalera's own guitar is only strung with four strings, as he has claimed that he never used the highest two strings. Besides the guitar, he also plays a berimbau
, a Brazilian one-string instrument (cordophone family), a sitar
and sometimes percussion on stage and studio recordings.
and Soulfly
. In 2003 he joined forces with former Nirvana
drummer
and Foo Fighters
' frontman Dave Grohl
to produce "Red War" for the self-titled release of Dave Grohl's metal project, Probot.
Cavalera appeared in The Scorpion King
in an off-camera role, providing the guttural screams for Dwayne Johnson.
He also appears in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
as a DJ for the radio channel LCHC.
Nailbomb
Soulfly
Cavalera Conspiracy
with his wife Gloria and his 4 children, Zyon, Igor, Richie, and Roxanne.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
, before forming Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
in the late 1990s. Cavalera was also involved in a short-lived side project, Nailbomb
Nailbomb
Nailbomb was an industrial / thrash metal band. The band formed as side project by Brazilian musician Max Cavalera of Sepultura and Soulfly and English musician Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel...
, and is currently performing with Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
and another project, Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy is a Brazilian heavy metal band founded by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera , along with American guitarist and bassist Marc Rizzo and Johny Chow. The band originally formed in 2007 as Inflikted but changed its name for legal reasons...
.
Biography
His father, Graziano Cavalera, was an employee of the Italian Consulate in São Paulo and died at 40 years of age and is buried in Belo Horizonte; Max was only 9 when his father died.Max's family was in a state of financial crisis and family turbulence when he formed Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
with his younger brother Iggor
Igor Cavalera
Igor Graziano Cavalera is a Brazilian musician. He is best known as the former drummer for Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura.-Biography:...
and Wagner Lamounier
Wagner Lamounier
Wagner Moura Lamounier is a Brazilian economist and musician who achieved fame for having been a former vocalist of Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, and for having created and led the extreme metal band Sarcófago from 1985 until it disbanded in 2000....
, later adding Paulo Jr.
Paulo Jr.
Paulo Jr. is the bassist and the only remaining original member of the Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura.-Life and work:...
and Jairo Guedes after Lamounier left the band.
In the early 1990s he relocated to Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. He did not begin to make "spiritual" music until after he quit Sepultura. His earlier lyrics for Soulfly were influenced by religion and spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
, though he is very critical of religion. His later albums, starting with Dark Ages
Dark Ages (album)
-Credits:*Max Cavalera - Lead vocals, Guitar, Sitar, Producer, Berimbau*Marc Rizzo - Guitar, Vocals, Flamenco guitar*Bobby Burns - Bass*Joe Nunez - Drums, Percussion*Billy Milano - Vocals on "Motolov"*David Ellefson - Bass on "Riotstarter"...
, began to incoporate lyrical themes of violence, warfare, anger, and hatred. His albums have all been dedicated to God, and he has often been depicted by the press as a man of religion, especially in America, something that Cavalera himself says he does not understand. As he himself put it:
When asked in an interview whether he was a Christian and whether Soulfly was a Christian band, he said:
He also stated that he does believe in God, "But it might be different than the God the preacher preaches about."
Of enduring influence to his music is the untimely death of Dana Wells, his stepson, who was killed after the release of Roots in 1996. The songs "Bleed
Bleed
Bleed may refer to:*Bleeding, the loss of blood*Bleed *Ink bleeding*Bleed *Bleed *Bleed *Bleed , a 2002 horror film...
", "First Commandment", "Pain
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...
", and "Tree Of Pain" are tributes to Wells, as well as Deftones
Deftones
Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, founded in 1988. The band consists of Chino Moreno , Stephen Carpenter , Chi Cheng , Frank Delgado , and Abe Cunningham . Currently Sergio Vega is standing in on bass while Cheng recovers from a car accident...
' song "Headup", in which Cavalera co-wrote and was featured.
He has reunited with his brother Igor
Igor Cavalera
Igor Graziano Cavalera is a Brazilian musician. He is best known as the former drummer for Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura.-Biography:...
, in their band Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy is a Brazilian heavy metal band founded by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera , along with American guitarist and bassist Marc Rizzo and Johny Chow. The band originally formed in 2007 as Inflikted but changed its name for legal reasons...
, and wrote and performed on Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
's Conquer
Conquer (album)
-Bonus DVD listing:Live in Warsaw, Poland#"Prophecy"#"Downstroy"#"Seek 'n' Strike"#"No Hope = No Fear"#"Jumpdafuckup / Bring It"#"Living Sacrifice"#"Mars"#"Brasil"#"No"#"L.O.T.M."#"Porrada"#"Drums"#"Moses"#"Frontlines"#"Back to the Primitive"...
, which was released in 2008.
In November 2011 Cavalera announced that he was working on an autobiography, for publication in 2012: his co-writer is the British author Joel McIver
Joel McIver
Joel McIver is a British author. The best-known of his 20 books to date is the bestselling Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica, first published in 2004 and selling close to 50,000 copies in nine languages since then. McIver's other works include biographies of Black Sabbath, Slayer, Ice...
and the book's foreword will be written by Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
.
Instruments
With Sepultura, Cavalera played a B.C. RichB.C. Rich
B.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars founded by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are manufactured in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. The Hanser Music Group, based in Kentucky, operates B.C....
Warlock, and now plays a custom ESP
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
6 String signature guitar. Designed to his specifications and based on the Viper design, the guitar features a Seymour Duncan SH6 Distortion pickup. A budget version (with a stock pickup) is sold under the LTD moniker. Another signature guitar produced by ESP, based on the AX model, is white with a Soulfly logo inlays. He also used a series of Gibson SG
Gibson SG
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
guitars during his later years in Sepultura and on the first two Soulfly albums and the tours that supported them. For 2011, ESP did a new signature model for Max, called the Max Cavalera EX, which consists in a single Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA...
distortion and Soulfly logo inlays. He plays through a Peavey 3120, and also used Peavey 6505.
Cavalera's own guitar is only strung with four strings, as he has claimed that he never used the highest two strings. Besides the guitar, he also plays a berimbau
Berimbau
The berimbau is a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow, from Brazil. The berimbau's origins are not entirely clear, but there is not much doubt about its African origin, as no Indigenous Brazilian or European people use musical bows, and very similar instruments are played in the...
, a Brazilian one-string instrument (cordophone family), a sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
and sometimes percussion on stage and studio recordings.
Collaborations
Cavalera has collaborated with many different artists while in SepulturaSepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
and Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
. In 2003 he joined forces with former Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
' frontman Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
to produce "Red War" for the self-titled release of Dave Grohl's metal project, Probot.
Musicians
Cavalera has worked with the following musicians:
|
BandsCavalera has collaborated with the following bands:
|
Cavalera appeared in The Scorpion King
The Scorpion King
The Scorpion King is a 2002 American action film directed by Chuck Russell, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kelly Hu, Grant Heslov, and Michael Clarke Duncan...
in an off-camera role, providing the guttural screams for Dwayne Johnson.
He also appears in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned is the first of two episodic expansion packs developed for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions of Grand Theft Auto IV, developed by Rockstar North. It was first released for the Xbox 360 on 17 February 2009 and on PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows...
as a DJ for the radio channel LCHC.
Discography
SepulturaSepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
- Bestial DevastationBestial DevastationBestial Devastation is an EP by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released in 1985 through Cogumelo Records. It is their first official release, and originally appeared alongside Overdose's Século XX as a split album...
EP (1985) - Morbid VisionsMorbid VisionsMorbid Visions is the debut album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released in 1986 through Cogumelo Records.While later albums have a more political edge, Morbid Visions is notable for "Satanic" themes...
(1986) - Schizophrenia (1987)
- Beneath the RemainsBeneath the RemainsBeneath the Remains is the third studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released in 1989. It was their first release through Roadrunner Records.-Overview:...
(1989) - Arise (1991) US#119
- Third World PosseThird World PosseThird World Posse is a limited edition EP by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released exclusively in Australia in 1992. It contains the studio version of "Dead Embryonic Cells", a cover of the Dead Kennedys song "Drug Me", and three live tracks taken from the Under Siege video in Spain on...
EP (1993) - Chaos A.D. (1993) US#32 US Gold
- Refuse/ResistRefuse/ResistRefuse/Resist is Sepultura's third EP, released in 1994. The title song, also included as a single off the album Chaos A.D., is one of the band's best-known songs and remains a concert staple to this day. A music video was filmed for the single which features the band playing live at a festival...
EP (1994) - Roots (1996) US#27 US Gold
- The Roots of SepulturaThe Roots of SepulturaThe Roots of Sepultura is a double-disc album by Sepultura, released in November 1996. It was a collection of unreleased tracks, b-sides, alternate mixes, and live recordings. This release is unique from Roots and the 2005 25th Anniversary Roots album as the B-Sides disc has a drastically...
(1996) - Blood-Rooted (1997) US#162
- Under a Pale Grey SkyUnder a Pale Grey SkyUnder a Pale Grey Sky is a live album by Sepultura, released September 24, 2002 through Roadrunner Records. The album was recorded in the Brixton Academy, London on December 16, 1996, the night that Max Cavalera left the band.-Album information:...
(2002)
Nailbomb
Nailbomb
Nailbomb was an industrial / thrash metal band. The band formed as side project by Brazilian musician Max Cavalera of Sepultura and Soulfly and English musician Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel...
- Point Blank (1994)
- Proud to Commit Commercial SuicideProud to Commit Commercial SuicideProud To Commit Commercial Suicide is the second and final album for thrash metal/industrial metal band Nailbomb and is a live recording capturing the band's appearance at the 1995 Dynamo Open Air Festival...
(1995)
Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
- SoulflySoulfly (album)-Digipak Edition released on October 19, 1999 bonus disc track listing:-Roadrunner Records 25th Anniversary Reissue bonus disc track listing:The album was also released on August 30, 2005 as part of the Roadrunner Records 25th Anniversary Reissues with the Limited Edition bonus tracks and a new one...
(1998) US#79 US Gold - TribeTribe (EP)-Track listing 6 track ep:-Personnel:*Max Cavalera - vocals, guitars, berimbau in Tribe*Logan Mader - guitars*Jackson Bandeira - guitars*Marcello D. Rapp - bass*Roy Mayorga - drums...
EP (1999) - PrimitivePrimitive (album)-Appearance:The track "Son Song" appears on the Valentine OST, although not included in the film.The track Mulambo appears in the movie The Forsaken .-Personnel:*Max Cavalera – Vocals, Guitar, Berimbau, Bass, Producer*Mike Doling – Guitar...
(2000) US#32 - 33 (Soulfly album)-Personnel:*Max Cavalera – Guitar, Arranger, Sitar, Vocals, Berimbau, Producer, Mixing, Photography, Cover Art*Marcello D. Rapp – Bass, Group Member*Roy Mayorga – Percussion, Drums, Group Member*Isabel Adelman – Voices...
(2002) US#46 - Prophecy (2004) US#82
- Dark AgesDark Ages (album)-Credits:*Max Cavalera - Lead vocals, Guitar, Sitar, Producer, Berimbau*Marc Rizzo - Guitar, Vocals, Flamenco guitar*Bobby Burns - Bass*Joe Nunez - Drums, Percussion*Billy Milano - Vocals on "Motolov"*David Ellefson - Bass on "Riotstarter"...
(2005) US#155 - ConquerConquer (album)-Bonus DVD listing:Live in Warsaw, Poland#"Prophecy"#"Downstroy"#"Seek 'n' Strike"#"No Hope = No Fear"#"Jumpdafuckup / Bring It"#"Living Sacrifice"#"Mars"#"Brasil"#"No"#"L.O.T.M."#"Porrada"#"Drums"#"Moses"#"Frontlines"#"Back to the Primitive"...
(2008) US#66 - OmenOmen (album)-Personnel:*Max Cavalera - vocals, 4-strings guitar, sitar*Marc Rizzo - guitar, flamenco guitar*Bobby Burns - bass*Joe Nunez - drums, percussion*Branden Krull - keyboards*Greg Puciato - vocals on "Rise of the Fallen"...
(2010) US#73
Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy is a Brazilian heavy metal band founded by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera , along with American guitarist and bassist Marc Rizzo and Johny Chow. The band originally formed in 2007 as Inflikted but changed its name for legal reasons...
- InfliktedInfliktedInflikted is the debut album from Cavalera Conspiracy, the Cavalera brothers' first record together in 12 years - since the release of Roots by Sepultura in 1996.-Album information:...
(2008) US#72 - Blunt Force TraumaBlunt Force Trauma (album)Blunt Force Trauma is the second studio album by Brazilian groove metal band Cavalera Conspiracy. The album was released on March 29, 2011 through Roadrunner Records.-Album information:...
(2011) US#123
Personal
Cavalera, a dedicated soccer fan who supports Brazilian football club Palmeiras, still lives in Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
with his wife Gloria and his 4 children, Zyon, Igor, Richie, and Roxanne.