Soulfly Preview

Soulfly
House Of Blues, Chicago
Wednesday, May 3, 2006

The last few years have brought us a number of “classic lineup” metal band reunions, including Judas Priest, Anthrax, Slayer, and Testament. Is it greedy of us to ask for one more?

In February, once Ozzfest-roster speculation began, rumors popped up proclaiming a reunited Sepultura would be one of the festival’s main-stage attractions. In an interview with MTV.com, Sep guitarist Andreas Kisser even said it would be “cool” to play again with Max Cavalera — who departed the band abruptly in 1997 and formed Soulfly the following year — but admitted he hadn’t spoken to him about it. During the last year, Cavalera has also warmed to the idea, saying he is open to jamming with his former bandmates, given the right circumstances. So while the talk might have seemed like a longshot, the thought of a reconciled Sepultura didn’t sound — for once — completely out of the question.

Apparently it was out of the question, though because a source close to Ozzfest told MTVnews.com organizers tried to work the reunion, but “the trigger was never pulled.” Kisser’s attitude shifted as well; during interviews he began shooting down regrouping with Cavalera (whose brother and Sepultura co-founder, Igor, is on hiatus from the band), saying his band need to focus on their new release, Dante XXI, instead of revisiting the past. For his part, Max Cavalera always has a new project to support. Soulfly has been a revolving door of musicians (the current lineup features bassist Bobby Burns, drummer Joe Nunez — who also plays in Chicago-based Stripping The Pistol — and guitarist Marc Rizzo), but it hasn’t stalled Cavalera’s vision; Soulfly have released five full-lengths since their creation. Last year’s Dark Ages (Roadrunner) was the third Soulfly album since 2002, and he and the band have been touring nonstop since its release.

So we don’t get a Max-fronted Sepultura, for now at least. But while we’re rubbin’ the magic lamp, how about Skid Row?

Incite, Gizmachi, and Thine Eyes Bleed, which include Johnny Araya (brother of Slayer’s Tom Araya) among their ranks, open.

— Trevor Fisher

Click here to download Soulfly’s “Enterfaith.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly