How Queen Sparked Cavalera’s Metal Revolution: “We saw them and became rock n rollers the very next day”

The Brazilian- American supergroups talk their Australian tour, revisiting old music and sibling relationships

It’s 7:00pm in Phoenix Arizona. A ceiling fan spins lazily overhead, while a giant poster of Bob Marley and a dozen pairs of headphones punctate the walls. This is Max Cavalera’s home studio.

Max, the legendary frontman of Soulfly and Cavalera has recently been taking some time off to work on his upcoming Soulfly album. “October 2024 was the last tour,” he explains, “and I had December off to focus on the new record.” When asked about the album, he’s mum but offers a glimpse into its vibe.

“The material feels really energetic,” Max shares. “It’s very tribal, which is cool. It’s like a return to the early Soulfly sound—raw, primal. Then I get a break and play some old tunes with my brother. After our Australian tour, I’ll come back and finish the Soulfly album. Hopefully, we’ll return to Australia soon after.”

Still reeling from his recent burst of creativity, Max is soon about to take off again. This time to Australia for an upcoming tour. Something which Max is evidently very excited for.

“It’s a great way to kickstart the year,” he says. “We’ve never started a tour in Australia before, so that’s exciting. We’re also heading to Japan—what a way to begin the year. The band is fired up, and everyone is in great spirits. We love playing the old stuff.”

It has of course, been a long journey to this point. Max and his brother Igor formed Sepultura at just 14 years old. The Brazilian metal duo quickly became known for pushing boundaries, releasing iconic albums like Morbid Visions, Bestial Devastation, and Schizophrenia back in 1984. These early works remain cornerstones of extreme metal, and now, with Cavalera signed to Nuclear Blast Records, they’re gearing up to revisit them on tour.

“It was the very start of my career,” Max reflects. “I was 14 when we made Bestial Devastation, and now I’m 55. It’s incredible to look back and see how those songs have stood the test of time. They still feel fresh.”

For the Cavalera shows, Max promises a raw, high-energy experience. “It’s going to be a celebration of metal’s roots. We’re going back to where it all started—how we created this raw, aggressive music. It’s pure strength and power.”

Looking back at his early days in the band, Max and Igor didn’t quite know what they were getting into. “It was the birth of extreme metal,” he recalls. “We were just riding the wave. Bands like Hellhammer and Slayer were paving the way. No one knew what to do with this music—evil lyrics, fast drumming, screaming vocals. We were part of something no one had ever seen before.”

Today, the world of extreme metal is far less niche. “It’s mainstream now,” Max observes. “In 1983, only a few people understood this music. Everyone else was into traditional heavy metal. Being a part of something so underground—it felt special, like we were against the world.”

The Cavalera brothers’ journey into music wasn’t a given. Unlike many musicians, they didn’t come from a particularly musical household. “My dad was Italian and had an acoustic guitar, but the real turning point came in 1981, when we saw Queen live,” Max recalls. “That show changed everything. We saw Queen and became rock ‘n’ rollers the next day. From there, we got into Sabbath, Deep Purple, and AC/DC—and it just got heavier and heavier. Eventually, we found the underground black metal scene.”

Despite their ten year rivalry, Max and Igor’s relationship has now reached a place of deep mutual respect and camaraderie. “We don’t take it for granted anymore,” Max admits. “So many brothers in metal, like the Van Halens, have lost their siblings. That really made us realise how special our bond is. We’re like Siamese twins—we can read each other’s minds. It’s better than ever now. We took the drama out and just focus on having fun with our music.”

The journey of Cavalera—from the early days of Sepultura to today’s Cavalera incarnation—is a testament to their resilience, passion, and unbreakable bond. This tour is more than just a trip down memory lane; it’s a restoration of the power and magic that began in their teenage years.

“I can’t wait for the fans to see what we have in store,” Max says with a final grin. “It’s going to be special.”

Cavalera are currently touring around Australia, with performances in Hobart on January 22, Adelaide on January 23, and Perth on January 24. Tickets can be purchased here.