As Sepultura embarks on their final touring journey, former members Max Cavalera and his brother Igor Cavalera are taking their own unique approach to celebrate the band’s rich legacy. The brothers are currently on the “Third World” trilogy tour, where they are revisiting and reinterpreting three of the band’s seminal albums. In a recent conversation with Full Metal Jackie on her weekend radio show, Max shared insights about this transformative experience.

During their discussion, Full Metal Jackie inquired about Max’s feelings regarding Sepultura’s announcement of their farewell tour and the winding down of their journey. Max was quick to emphasize that the celebration of Sepultura’s music will continue through him and Igor, ensuring their legacy endures.

“They still refer to it as Sepultura, but everyone knows it’s not the same, and it never will be. I’m not involved in their decision to disband,” Max expressed. “Igor and I are forging our own path, revisiting the classic material on our terms. We’ve always approached our music with sincerity, and preserving that essence is incredibly special to us.”

In their conversation, Max elaborated on the process of re-recording Sepultura’s Schizophrenia album alongside Igor under the Cavalera banner. He also discussed the creation of the new track, “Nightmares of Delirium”, and how these experiences are shaping his ongoing musical endeavors.

Max also reflected on the significance of having a musical “tribe” within his family, highlighting the shared bond that enhances their creative output. He touched upon the excitement of reviving Nailbomb after many years and revealed one aspiration he still hopes to achieve as a musician.

Tune in to hear more from the insightful conversation below.

Welcome back to Full Metal Jackie! This week, we are thrilled to have the legendary Max Cavalera on the show. Max has revisited Sepultura’s Schizophrenia album with his brother Igor, bringing it to fans as part of their ongoing Third World trilogy tour. Max, this project follows your recent re-explorations of Morbid Visions and Bestial Devastation. What motivated the decision to re-record these classic records? What specific changes or improvements were you looking to make?

The idea to re-record these albums came about during live performances. While playing a series of shows with Igor, we revisited tracks from the Roots and Arise albums and received an overwhelming positive response from the fans. They expressed their desire for more of this nostalgic experience, which sparked the idea to revisit and re-record our early works from Brazil—albums we crafted under challenging circumstances, with limited resources and less-than-ideal studio conditions. Now, we have the opportunity to correct those past limitations.

This endeavor allows us to showcase what we envisioned those records to sound like but were unable to achieve due to the constraints we faced at the time. It’s been an incredible challenge, one that we fully embraced, pushing us to deliver something special to our audience.

There was a significant temptation to alter arrangements, riffs, or even the songs themselves. Yet, I resisted those urges, committed to maintaining the integrity of the original compositions. We played them with the energy and passion that defined our early days. I like to refer to our performance style as Nostalgic Brutality, which perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Third World trilogy show.

Experiencing this live show is akin to stepping into a time machine, taking fans back to the ’80s to relive those classic tracks. It’s an exhilarating experience, and I cherish every moment of performing them again.

These first three records genuinely needed this re-recording treatment since they were produced under less than ideal conditions. While our later works benefited from improved studio techniques and our growth as musicians, these initial albums deserved to be presented in the way we always intended. I am thrilled with the outcome of this project.

Sepultura represents a significant chapter in both your and Igor’s history. You’ve both moved on to achieve great success with Soulfly and various other projects, yet Sepultura remains your foundation. With the band now concluding its journey with their farewell tour, how do you feel about seeing this pivotal part of your musical life come to a close?

I believe, and I think many fans share this sentiment, that Igor and I carry the spirit of Sepultura with us in all our endeavors. While the band may continue to operate under the Sepultura name, it’s clear that it’s not the same entity it once was, and it never will be. I’m not involved in their current direction or the decisions surrounding their farewell.

Igor and I are charting our own course, revisiting our past material on our own terms. We approach our music with the same heartfelt passion we always have, making it meaningful for us to celebrate our legacy together.

READ MORE: Why Did Max Cavalera Leave Sepultura in the ’90s?

I think there’s a part of me that retains that youthful spirit—the teenage heart that remains sacred. Regardless of the industry’s challenges or the politics surrounding music, I strive to keep that youthful vision and enthusiasm alive.

When I speak about Sepultura, I reflect on a unique band that represented a pivotal moment in time, and I cherish the opportunity to celebrate that with Igor, irrespective of what others may be doing.

Exploring the New Track, “Nightmares of Delirium”

Max, one of the exciting aspects of revisiting Schizophrenia is the inclusion of the new song, “Nightmares of Delirium.” This track beautifully merges elements of the old with the new, particularly since your son contributed to the lyrics. Can you share how the concept for this new addition emerged and your process for connecting with the creative mindset from nearly 40 years ago?

This creative endeavor was quite a journey. We faced the challenge of crafting a bonus track that would seamlessly fit the album. To tackle this, I spent a week immersing myself in Schizophrenia, absorbing its vibes, themes, and songwriting style from that era.

The riffs for “Nightmares of Delirium” emerged during this reflective process, coming together sporadically. I’ve never particularly enjoyed writing lyrics; to me, it feels like homework, something I struggled with in school. So, I turned to my son, asking him if he could assist me with the lyrics for this song.

He crafted some fantastic Lovecraftian-themed lyrics that I absolutely adore. They fit the song perfectly, and I believe that if “Nightmares of Delirium” had been released in 1986, it would have naturally belonged to the original Schizophrenia album. I genuinely feel that it captures the same intensity, aggression, and spirit that defines the rest of the record, making it a fitting addition to our re-recordings.

I’ve had conversations with fans who have expressed their enthusiasm for the new song, suggesting we should create an entire album filled with similar material. Their excitement inspires hope for future projects, but for now, I’m thrilled to feature this one song, and I truly appreciate the lyrical work Igor contributed.

We embraced the challenge that came with this project and are delighted with the results.

Family is a recurring theme in much of your work beyond Sepultura. The Cavalera family is deeply embedded in the music scene, with Gloria managing for years, your brother performing alongside you, and your sons getting involved in music. What has it meant to share these experiences with your loved ones? Is there a competitive musical spirit at play during family gatherings?

I absolutely love this dynamic! When Gloria and I got married, I told her, “We are going to start our own tribe,” a concept that was a bit foreign to her at the time. However, we’ve built this organic musical family from the ground up.

The beauty of our journey lies in its authenticity; it’s not manufactured by a corporation or wealthy benefactor. Everything we do is genuine and comes from us. I admire how Gloria manages our affairs, maintaining an office that has stayed true to its roots, filled with eclectic posters and a certain charm despite the chaos. I cherish the opportunity to create music with my sons, like our upcoming Soulfly album with Zyon, and to perform Cavalera material with my brother.

Ultimately, it’s about doing what you love with those you cherish. That’s the essence of success for me. I value these relationships far more than any awards or accolades, whether they be gold records or Grammys. While those are nice, they pale in comparison to the joy of collaborating with my family. Of course, we have our disagreements and moments of tension, but it’s a beautiful experience to wear both the dad and musician hats. I often joke about playful punishments when it comes to rehearsals.

When my sons were younger, we often had to hide the beer from them on tour, knowing they’d try to sneak some, just as we did at their age.

Overall, I cherish this full metal family experience. There are no gimmicks involved; it’s all about the real deal—a family deeply rooted in metal. The Cavalera family embodies this spirit to the core, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Being able to share this journey with my family is truly an extraordinary feeling.

Max, with your extensive involvement in various bands over the years, the creative well must be overflowing. What has been inspiring you recently? Beyond revisiting Schizophrenia and the new song, can we expect more music under the Cavalera name soon?

This year is shaping up to be quite busy, with a new Soulfly album on the horizon. I’m currently working on it, having completed the writing phase, and we are in the process of finalizing recordings. We’re excited to release new music later this year, followed by a tour.

Additionally, we have more touring planned for the summer, which includes shows with Soulfly, Cavalera, and Nailbomb in Europe. As for new music under the Cavalera banner, I feel the need to take a step back for a moment.

Having released records continuously for nearly 30 years, I think it’s time for a slight slowdown. However, knowing my personality, I recognize that I’ll likely find myself diving into new projects. Before I know it, I could be working on a new Killer Be Killed project or yet another Go Ahead and Die release, which I absolutely enjoy.

They say when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. That rings true for me. My passion for metal is immense.

At my core, I’m a fan—an avid metal enthusiast. I’m always eager to engage with fellow musicians, discussing their top ten metal albums of all time. It often catches them off guard, but I love the camaraderie that comes with being part of this metal community.

Maintaining that youthful enthusiasm is crucial, no matter how old you become. If you continue to embrace your passion with the same fervor you had when you started, you’ll never lose that spark.

My love for metal has only grown stronger since my early days, and I’m thrilled by the emergence of new bands. There’s a wealth of incredible new music out there, alongside the classics I still cherish. I remain excited about the future of metal, especially as it gains popularity across the globe, including Europe and Australia.

We have Max Cavalera back on the show! Max, since our last conversation, one notable development is the reunion of Nailbomb for their first show in three decades. How was the experience of revisiting that material for a live audience? Did it inspire any new creative directions for Nailbomb?

That’s an interesting topic! We’ve done some live shows, which have been fantastic, particularly during my recent Max “dynasty” show. The energy was so positive that everyone encouraged us to continue performing together. Point Blank remains a deeply inspiring record for me.

This project was born from my curiosity to merge industrial music with metal, but with an aggressive twist. I’ve always admired bands like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails, but I wanted to create something heavier. The resulting album was a fantastic blend of those influences.

Interestingly, the themes we explored in the album are even more relevant today than they were during its original release. I’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with some incredibly talented musicians.

When we first performed live as Nailbomb, it was specifically for the Dynamo Festival. We formed a live band just for that event, and we are applying the same approach to our current live shows. It’s a way to pay homage to this significant chapter in my musical journey, showcasing what makes Nailbomb special.

Many people reach out, expressing their appreciation for the record, emphasizing its influential and unique qualities. It’s a powerful album that deserves to be performed live.

As for creating new material, that’s a different discussion. Perhaps Alex and I will reconnect to explore the possibility of producing new Nailbomb music, but we’re not quite there yet. For now, we’re focused on delivering live performances, potentially bringing them to America later this year.

Max, you’ve maximized your opportunities throughout your career. Is there still something on your musical or personal bucket list that you haven’t had the chance to pursue due to time constraints?

Indeed, my passion for what I do isn’t measured by fame or popularity; it’s about the love of the craft. This pursuit makes my journey unique, and I’m not focused on chasing fame; I’m looking for that elusive perfect album—the one I can finish and proudly declare as my masterpiece.

I haven’t reached that point yet, which is what keeps me motivated. The pursuit itself is where the glory lies, and I continue creating records in search of that ideal project, which fuels my energy and passion for metal.

If you were to ask me directly about a dream project, I would love to undertake a tour in famous football and soccer stadiums.

That would be incredible!

It’s uncertain if or when that will happen, so I’ll leave it to fate. For now, I genuinely enjoy every moment of what I do, regardless of the venue size. The love for music and the thrill of live performances resonate deeply with me. When I step on stage, I feel an energy that transforms me into someone extraordinary—something magical, for lack of a better word. It’s an exhilarating experience that I cherish immensely.

We extend our gratitude to Max Cavalera for this enlightening interview. The re-recording of Schizophrenia is available now. Stay updated with Cavalera and Soulfly through their official websites. Follow Cavalera Conspiracy on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and keep up with Soulfly on their social media platforms as well. You can find more details about listening to Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show here.