Max Cavalera (Soulfly, etc.) talks about his desire to make a “perfect” album and what “success” means to him
Max Cavalera (Soulfly, etc.) talks about his desire to make a “perfect” album and what “success” means to him
Max Cavalera, of soulfly among many other projects, shared his definition of success.
During a recent interview with AndrewHaug.com, Cavalera expressed his desire to make a “perfect” album, which he feels he hasn’t done yet.
He stated : “The meaning of the word ‘success’ is different from person to person. For me, success is being around the people you love and doing what you love. That’s all. It’s that simple. But for many people, it’s hard to find; some people have a hard time with that. It took me a long time to realize that this is really all I need. I don’t need rewards. That stuff, it’s cool if it comes – whatever – and if it doesn’t come, that’s okay.”
He continued: “Some people think that if you find satisfaction around you with your family and friends, you will lose the desire [d’essayer de vous améliorer]. I do not think so. I’m always hungry. I want to make this ‘perfect album’. I don’t think I’ve done it yet. In my head, I am convinced that I can still do better.”
He added : “The glory is in the struggle. As John Lennon said, ‘Life is what happens to you when you make plans’. It’s exactly that.”
Soulfly’s latest album, Totemwas released on August 5 via Nuclear Blast. The album was recorded at Platinum Underground in Mesa Arizona by John Aquilino and Arthur Rizk, with assistance from John Powers.
In an interview with Joshua Toomey from the Talk Toomey podcast, Cavalera said the departure of longtime guitarist Marc Rizzo and the ensuing conflict influenced the creation of Totem.
As a reminder, Soulfly parted ways with Rizzo in 2021. The split wasn’t really amicable, with Rizzo claiming that Soulfly “didn’t support him through the pandemic” and Cavalera claiming that Rizzo “was trying to turn the fans against him”.
The group then recruited the guitarist of fear factoryDino Cazares, for his concerts and, to date, has not replaced Rizzo.
Cavalera told Joshua Toomey: “Every time something like this happens, it’s an opportunity to do something different, to bring in new blood. Especially with Soulfly, there’s always been this kind of motto of changing people every once in a while.”
“I like records that have a wrestling component. These are some of my best albums […] and Totem is full of drama. The whole Rizzo affair was a real soap opera.”
Later he added: “The stuff Rizzo was writing was always the same – it sounded a lot alike – and this new album is different and exciting. […] The whole story with Rizzo has led to difficulties in [la création de l’album]and that sort of worked in my favor, I think. ‘Cause if I’m pissed off, yeah, I get revenge. I put myself in warrior mode, I get angry and it gives good things, musically speaking. So the record contains a bit of anger, a bit of passion.”
Interview with Max Cavalera for AndrewHaug.com:
