Soulfly released their new album , Chama , last week, and Max Cavalera took the opportunity to talk about how the drop in sales in the streaming era has affected the chances of new bands surviving and achieving success.
In an interview with the website Chaoszine , the vocalist and guitarist of Soulfly said [transcription via Blabbermouth ]: “It’s very difficult. Record sales nowadays, compared to what they were 25 years ago… When Soulfly emerged, the band’s first album went gold in the United States. Sepultura ’s Roots and Primitive also went gold and sold thousands of copies. That doesn’t happen anymore. You have to do everything now. You have to use social media. Go on tour, sell t-shirts. You have to be creative. It’s difficult.”
He continued: “I think for a young band starting out now, it’s very difficult. Much more difficult [than it used to be]. But it is what it is. They created this monster and they don’t know how to fix it. And it’s a shame that the musicians end up paying the price for it. I’m glad that at least we’re still recording albums.”
Max Cavalera also praised physical media and collectors, assuring that this is why he will continue recording albums: “And there are fans who love vinyl — they love the physical copy. And there’s still a passion for this music, and I love that. And that’s why I’ll continue recording albums, because I believe in the album, I believe in the power of a record. I believe in the power of an album. It’s something magical, cool. It’s something incredible. I listen to my old records, I listen to new records. I’m always inspired by albums. I think that’s incredible.”
Max and Iggor Cavalera in Brazil
Cavalera has announced an exclusive show on November 13th at Espaço Unimed in São Paulo, with headliners Massive Attack be available starting September 16th at noon on the Eventim website.
The event aims to support and give visibility to the efforts of the indigenous peoples of Brazil and the G9 Amazon (indigenous organizations from nine Amazonian countries).
READ ALSO: Max Cavalera and Chino Moreno bury Soulfly tapes in Native American cemetery
