Max Cavalera, the former SEPULTURA and current SOULFLY frontman, recently told Prescription Punk Rock that heavy metal is often seen as having a unique impact on listeners’ behavior and mental well-being, perhaps more so than any other genre.
“Metal is the most positive thing in the world, but I know it [has a] negative image. I understand,” Max said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “But once you are inside of the metal, it makes you a great person. I think in metal — I hope at least — there’s less racism, there’s less sexism, there’s less prejudice, and there’s more friendship. There’s more bond. Also because you’re part of something outside of society, I think it’s cool too. It’s a unique thing. You’re part of something that’s special. You feel very kind of proud to be part of something unique like this. And I think it’s cool like that.”
“When you are in the airport and you see another guy [wearing] a heavy metal shirt, you go, ‘Oh, f**k, yeah. How’re you doing, man?’ We have to do that. It’s our code… There’s people that f**king, even when they don’t recognize me, I still [go], ‘What’s up, man? F**king cool f**king shirt, man.’ A lot of times, of course, they [go], ‘Oh, it’s Max, man. Can we get a picture?’ and this and that. But some other times it’s been where the guy probably doesn’t know who the f**k I am, and I just give him props because he is wearing a CELTIC FROST shirt. And I’m, like, “F**k, yeah, dude. Cool shirt, man.’ Let him know.”
SOULFLY is currently touring in support of its latest album, Totem, released in August 2022 through Nuclear Blast. The album, a follow-up to 2018’s Ritual, was recorded at Platinum Underground in Mesa, Arizona, with John Aquilino and Arthur Rizk, assisted by John Powers.
Source: metaladdicts.com
