SOULFLY has been spearheading the movement of groove metal for decades now, reaching into limitless directions while seamlessly retaining the expert quality and perfection that bears the Cavalera seal of approval. Coming straight from the deep jungles of Brazil to the arid expanses of Arizona, Max and company are soon to deliver their thirteenth album, the mighty, heart-pounding, tribally fueled CHAMA. Once again, a remarkable testament to the Brazilian songwriter’s natural affinity for slamming yet rhythmic riffs that defined his signature sound to listeners around the world. A true return to the spiritual upbringing of SOULFLY that somehow bears a modern-day edge and vitality. Something that could only be attained by a true master of the craft, and Max has stunned us all again per usual.
It has always been apparent that Max has brought attention to Latin American culture, art, and spirituality through his music, and CHAMA brings him back to those dirty streets of Belo Horizonte as he screams in Portuguese. The name Chama itself literally translates to ‘Flame”, but it also embodies the burning vitality of the human spirit, the strength of ancestors, the forces of nature that bind us to the tempo of the earth. Accompanying the album CHAMA is the story of a boy from the dingy favelas of Brazil, who in search of a higher power, finds himself amongst the tribes of the Amazon, who show him the way of the jungle’s souls. Max comments that the album itself loosely follows this concept, the boy Chama finding his fire amongst the chaos and debris of a collapsing industrial world.
The tribes and indigenous peoples of the Americas play a large role in the inspiration for many of Max’s recordings, and Chama is certainly no exception, bearing the scene of a Navajo ceremonial dancer on the cover of the album. Featured on the inner label is also the image of Oxossi, a guardian of nature. Drums and fire and a ritual that beckons the summoning of ancestor spirits, a burning fuel that defies the darkness, SOULFLY ventures into these sacred spaces where few other metal bands dare to tread. The album kicks off with an intro track, ‘Indigenous Inquisition’, an homage to the genocide and extinction of the original American people, as Max hauntingly recites the names of long forgotten tribes, a proclamation to the bloodshed and warrior pulse of those wrongfully persecuted. An uprising for the underdogs, a home for the homeless, peace for the war afflicted. The song remains insane.
Max has been playing alongside his son, the enigmatic drummer, Zyon Cavalera for over a decade, and for the first time in SOULFY’s career, Max has passed the producing credits and creative direction to his son, and it’s clear to see the apple does not fall far from the tree. Zyon has brought an intensity and commitment to the band that is fresh and invigorating, stomping through song after song like a driven warhorse. If you’ve seen SOULFLY live with Zyon then you know he commands the stage from behind the drum set, directing the tempo and swing of each song like a well-seasoned general. Upon speaking to Zyon, he commented on the evolution of the music, exploratory sounds, the new blood brought to the band with the lineup changes over the years, the excitement of playing with new musicians. “For me personally, to have over ten years with the band has helped me grow and try new things musically. I think there is a strong fire lit within SOULFLY to take things to a new level. We’re not content to stand around, we are hungry.” He certainly displays this hunger, not only as a top-notch drummer, but also as a creative entity and a song structuring adept.
CHAMA was recorded at the Platinum Underground Studio in Mesa, Arizona by John Aquilino. John has worked with Max and company multiple times before and is not only a talented engineer but a family friend. The studio features the highest end Focusrite board, one of only three in the world, and is as prestigious as they come. Also featured on the producing credits is the masterful Arthur Rizk, who has not only worked with the Cavalera family numerous times before, but has also helped to shape the world of heavy metal in the modern day. You can throw a stone anywhere in a record shop and probably hit an album that Arthur worked on, and that is said with the deepest respect. Arthur truly brings recordings to life with his wizardly mixing and mastering, he is the obvious choice to flesh out any album of any extreme genre. His work on CHAMA cannot be overstated, he is one of the best in the business for a reason.
The familial ties do not end there though, Max has made it a point to work within his circle of talented sons, and CHAMA also enlisted the works of Igor Amadeus Cavalera, who played bass on multiple tracks and helped write the lyrics to the title track Chama and Favela Dystopia, a recognition to the grueling street life of the favelas of Brazil. Family means everything within SOULFLY, and the beating rhythm of the album flows like blood through veins, pulsing to the unique pattern of birth that runs as deep as tree roots into the earth.
SOULFLY has long been known to include an ensemble of guests and studio musicians, including a repertoire of guest stars such as Chino Moreno, Greg Puciato, Tom Araya, and countless other experts. Their thirteenth installment, CHAMA, also offers fans fresh collaborations to excite the audiophiles. Mike DeLeon (Flesh Hoarder, Phil Anselmo And The Illegals) has been playing live with SOUFLY for some time now and has made his first appearance on a studio album, ripping through some blistering solos, unnerving noises, and an array of effects driven soundscapes that are sure to melt and fascinate in equal measure. Taking a moment to chat with Mike DeLeon, he expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Cavaleras, “It’s been a total blast jamming alongside Max and the tribe. A true pioneer in metal music. Being a part of the new Soulfly album, writing and recording, has been a huge highlight for me thus far. Album thirteen for the band, first for me, lucky thirteen! To the future, let the Soulfly free!”
As if their immaculate touring lineup wasn’t impressive enough, SOULFLY also enlisted the talents of Dino Cazares of FEAR FACTORY, of whom Max and tribe have been long time friends and collaborators. Dino lent his machine gun picking hand to the aptly titled ‘No Pain = No Power’, and it is safe to say the combination of Max’s vocals, Zyon’s drumming and Dino’s riffs is something sure to please even the most extreme metal fans. The star-studded lineup does not end there though, Michael Amott of ARCH ENEMY played lead guitars on ‘Ghenna’, Todd Jones of NAILS sang on ‘Nihilist’ (a song dedicated to the one and only L.G. Petrov), Ben Cook from NO WARNING and Gabe Franco of UNTO OTHERS are also featured doing vocals on the album. It’s truly astounding how SOULFLY can venture into unknown territories alongside numerous all-star performers from around the world and come out with something as groundbreaking as CHAMA.
Each word delivered with unrestrained power, every strike of a drum a thunderclap through the ears, a torrential onslaught brought by the ever-shifting duo that is Max and Zyon Cavalera. His own anticipation obvious, Max himself stated, “I’m excited to present to longtime SOULFLY fans, a revival of our original sound. CHAMA is full of heavy tribal grooves and ripping fast riffs too. We’ve continued experimenting with different sounds while retaining the heart and soul that makes SOULFLY what it is. We hope this album brings veteran fans and new fans together to enjoy the new tracks. We hope to see you in the pit around the world.” Rest assured, Max, that this new album will have people blasting through the pits in no time.
Transformative and electric, shocking and pummeling, intuitive and raw, this album takes listeners on a journey from the deep jungles to the trash littered streets, storming the gates and finding the spirit, SOULFLY’s new record stands proud amongst the achievements of three decades of musical spirituality. SOUL FLY FREE.
