As the metal world evolves, there are a few individuals who are at the creative center of that evolution. Max Cavalera of Soulfly is one of those guys, and his full past with both Sepultura and Soulfly has given him the unique title of the “Bob Marley Of Metal”. It sounds contradicting, but one go-round with Soulfly’s latest, Primitive, and you can see how Max has helped to maintain the ingenuity in the metal community by bringing in worldly sounds that would otherwise go unnoticed.
The album begins with “Back To The Primitive”, a groove-laden bombshell that will put the listener in the Soulfly mood with the sheer aggression that fans of Max have come to love. “Bring it” romps just as much, but incorporates a reggae twist that sends the song into a metallic bliss of Marley-esque rhythms. “Soulfly II” follows the same mellow path, with Brazilian percussion layered under tribal chants engulfed in a rainforest ambiance. Of course, Soulfly couldn’t be without guest appearances, and it is on these tracks that the power of Max and his entourage is most greatly felt. “Son Song” has Max trading lines with Sean Lennon, son of The Beatles’ John Lennon, in what is surely the most interesting guest spot on any album this year. It’s a song about losing a father, and both Max and Sean have firsthand knowledge of the pain and sorrow it can bring. “Pain” brings Chino Moreno of the Deftones and Grady of Will Haven into the fold, and the three deliver a barrage of vocal chaos in true hardcore form. “Jumpdafuckup” is easily the most mosh-happy track on the album, with Corey (#8) from Slipknot adding his rap and growl to the Soulfly tribe. Tom Araya from Slayer does himself justice by declaring war alongside Max against all that is not true to metal on “Terrorist”.
The album is exactly what most people were expecting from Max and Soulfly, and that’s hardly a bad thing. Some things aren’t meant to change directions, and Max knows his place in the heavy community. He has been looked up to for years now, and this album only proves his dedication to what he helped to create over fifteen years ago. The appearance of Sean Lennon on this album shows how much Max is recognized outside the metal world, as he is truly valued as a musician and as a person. Maybe the Bob Marley comparisons are a little eccentric, but Max does deserve credit for his continuity within the genre. His legend will continue to grow for as long as he wants it to; all he has to do is keep playing brutal music with flair.
+ rick hinkson
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.