Marc Rizzo , guitarist for Soulfly for 17 years, left the band in early August for "personal reasons ." In a recent interview, the musician explained how financial difficulties and a strained relationship with his bandmates influenced his decision to leave the group formed by Max Cavalera after his departure from Sepultura .
Unable to perform live shows, the pandemic brought a new perspective, as he had to work on home renovations to support himself. “It was basically a matter of survival. I did what I had to do. And many musicians – some people managed, some people took out loans and made money. Others didn't,” he said in an interview with the website Sofa King Cool (via Blabbermouth ). “And then there were people like me, who were basically hired guns, who were treated that way throughout this pandemic. We had to fend for ourselves.”
READ ALSO: Max Cavalera would like to have Bruce Dickinson on a Soulfly album
After six months of isolation, Rizzo made the decision and gave up on returning to Soulfly. “After 18 years of giving my heart, soul, and loyalty, being away from my family for three or four months at a time, giving up my personal life, I thought, ‘This doesn’t make sense anymore,’” he explained. “Especially at my age, 44, having to deal with the situation I went through. That’s just how things are. That’s life.”
The band's next tour was announced last year, but Rizzo was already discredited at that time and hadn't spoken to his bandmates during that period.
“Honestly, I basically had an emotional breakdown about everything about a month ago. It happens. I’ve been through a lot of shit, man – a lot of shit. And there’s no way I would have been mentally capable of doing this tour. I just wasn’t there anymore,” she continued. “There was no way to maintain a mentally healthy state on the bus with everyone. There’s no way. And believe me, out of respect for them, they probably wouldn’t want to be on a bus with me either. I can have breakdowns from time to time. So, it works for everyone both ways. I’m definitely in a better space now. It’s better for everyone that way.”
The announcement of Marc Rizzo's departure was made on August 7th. Dino Cazares , from Fear Factory , will be the guitarist's replacement during Soulfly's US tour. According to Cavalera, the band is "very hurt" by Rizzo's statements to the press, so the presence of a friend in the band will be more than welcome.
READ ALSO: Max and Iggor Cavalera return with Sepultura album tour in 2022
