Max Cavalera

Origin

Belo Horizonte, MG

Genres

thrash metal, death metal, alternative metal, heavy metal

Instruments

vocals, guitar

Biography

Massimiliano Antônio Cavalera, better known as Max Cavalera, was born in Belo Horizonte on August 4, 1969. A singer, guitarist, and songwriter, he gained international notoriety as the co-founder of the thrash metal band Sepultura, created in 1984 alongside his brother Igor Cavalera. After cementing landmark albums like Beneath the Remains, Arise, and Roots, Max left the group in 1996 due to creative and personal differences, going on to front projects like Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, and Nailbomb.

Worldwide recognized for his strong, guttural voice, Max also stood out for his peculiar way of playing the guitar with only four strings and for his strong influence on the Brazilian and global heavy metal scene. Throughout his career, he has been involved in several supergroups and collaborations, in addition to being featured on the list of the one hundred greatest Brazilian music artists promoted by Rolling Stone magazine. Alongside his brother Igor, he helped put Brazil on the global extreme metal map.

In addition to his vast work with Sepultura and Soulfly, Max Cavalera participated in projects like Killer Be Killed and influenced generations of musicians in the country. His career is marked by an attitude averse to traditional commercial rock star excesses, staying true to visceral and primitive sounds. He has also collaborated with artists and made striking guest appearances throughout decades of dedication to heavy music.