Max Cavalera is a global heavy metal icon, but the references he draws from also exist outside of that musical style. Despite a decades-long career dedicated to heavy music, the artist also finds inspiration in the works of artists from other niches, especially two peculiar albums from the 1980s.
Known for being a co-founder of Sepultura , the guitarist and vocalist is currently the leader of the projects Soulfly , Go Ahead and Die , and Cavalera Conspiracy . It might be difficult to imagine albums of other genres on Max's shelf, but they exist – and so does the desire to do something similar in his career someday.
The two albums (outside of metal) that inspire Max Cavalera
In an interview with Revolver in early 2023, Max Cavalera revealed the two albums he most enjoys listening to "when his ears and neck need a break" from heavy music, as described by the magazine.
Interestingly, both choices share a similar background regarding the way the albums were created, recorded more freely in various studios during some of the artists' travels. As revealed in the conversation, this is a method that Max Cavalera himself would like to try in his career.
Peter Gabriel – Passion (1989)
Cavalera's first choice is the soundtrack from the film The Last Temptation of Christ , by Peter Gabriel . The film was released in 1988 and was directed by Martin Scorsese .
“I’m not a big fan of Peter Gabriel, but I like the things he did with instrumental soundtracks. He went to North Africa and recorded with various local musicians. It’s a really cool story, I like it and I always wanted to do something like that at some point in my career,” Max explained about the album Passion (Music For The Last Temptation of Christ ).
Paul Simon – Graceland (1986)
The second album Max Cavalera cites as his favorite outside of metal is Graceland , by Paul Simon, released in 1986.
“It’s the same theory [as the other one], Paul Simon went to South Africa and recorded. I think I saw it in a documentary. It was just him, a producer, and a backpack, totally camping in a trailer. He would just show up at these crappy South African studios with low-quality equipment [and record]. But some really cool stuff came out of it, and he brought it back to the United States. And he built songs from those sessions,” Cavalera explained about the second choice. “And I love that backpacking thing, not caring what’s going to happen, the adventurous side.”
READ ALSO: Sepultura: Max Cavalera recalls Dave Grohl and Lemmy's praise for the album 'Roots'
