SOULFLY

Arise again

Max Cavalera and his fellows are definitely on the right way. SOULFLY’s last album “Conquer” continues victorious march which has began four years ago with “Dark Ages” and was prolonged last year with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY’s incredible debut album “Inflikted” – the march towards their thrashin’ roots. Once again the spirit of the group leader’s past let us enjoy the highest quality of primal, raw and powerful metal. So there was no other way. We were really determined to make this interview. We had a chance to talk to Marc Rizzo -– one of the most hyperactive stage animals on the metal scene and one of the most talented young guitar players – few hours before SOULFLY’s gig at this years METALMANIA FEST in Warsaw. And although he seemed not to be quite awaken – that damn coffee machine refused to cooperate – and in a result he wasn’t too talkative, I guess that this conversation at least shows clearly that things may only get better for SOULFLY. The band seems to be really unstoppable now, Those guys simply know what they’re looking for. And there are more good news for those who look forward to even more heavy and more brutal band’s incarnation. So let’s join Marc in his trip to conquer the metal scene.

- Hi Marc. Do you remember the day when Max asked you to join SOULFLY. What did you feel back then? Was it a hard decision to leave the past behind and fly away from Ill Nino’s safe haven?
Frankly speaking it was very easy decision to leave Ill Nino. Whan I was asked to join SOULFLY it was something really awesome. I was very excited about it. ‘Cause I was a big fan of the band. So I’ve agreed and immediately started to work on „Prophecy” record. Soon after that we’ve hit the road. I’ve made a quick decision, ‘cause I really wanted to quit Ill Nino. I was there really unhappy. They were too genius for me. I’m not on that level. They’re just too genius.

- It sounds ironic to me...
No. Really. It’s true. When I joined SOULFLY it was very cool to say good bye.

-How would you describe the level of your commitment in band's current activity. Did it radically change since "Prophecy" was released?
Yeah. Definitely it has chabnged. Now I’m more part of the band. I also have more freedom to play to work on my guitar. It’s just a natural thing.

-Max said that "Conquer" was inspired by bands like: NAPALM DEATH or BOLT THROWER. How important for you is the legacy of early 90s extreme metal scene?
When I was growing up as a kid that was what I really listened to. I was really into that older, early 90s death metal scene. Bands like: SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MALEVOLENT CREATION, OBITUARY, DEICIDE and many others. That was what I was in. I was also playin’ in a death metal bands. And now somehow I’m really happy with that, ‘cause when I first joined SOULFLY I really wanted to hear Max coming back to thrash metal again.

- So you are the person who should I thank for bringing SOULFLY on the right tracks. I wasn’t really into that band. But since „Dark Ages” it has changed. And now with “Conquer” I must say that you’ve finally really kicked my ass...
Thank you very, very much. We all kinda wanted to go in that heavier direction. I think that Max started to go back that way already on SOULFLY „3”. But I think that since this line-up joined the band the character of our music went really into that thrash direction. Me and Joe we are really deep into the old thrash and death metal sound. So it’s natural.

-The album was mixed by Andy Sneap who is rather known for his crystal clear sound (ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT). "Conquer" is raw and primitive in a way. So it seems that you as a band have had more influence on the final shape of that album.
I think that when we record the album we have our sound that is already to set. We’re just going to put it in the tracks. But anyway Andy Sneap did an amazing job. He’s excellent producer. His work definitely added important influence to the band’s sound.

-How important for you are all those world music elements (from Serbia, Turkey, Egypt and Russia) incorporated in SOULFLY's music?
Definitely they’re important. That’s the one thing that has always stayed with all SOULFLY albums. It always has a world music vibe. We definitely went kinda more into thrash metal direction, but the world music vibe is still present and it’s really cool. That’s a Max’s signature.

-So it doesn't have anything to do with your musical taste?
I like the folk music from New Jersey…

-Is it maybe New York City Hard Core?
Yeah. That’s right. NYHC that’s my kind of folk music. Hah hah… But I’m really into flamenco guitars. The music from Spain is what I really like.


- During many, many tours you've traveled around the world. Do you see now any territories that are especially sensitive to SOULFLY's music?
Definitely this part of the world seems to be really reactive. Here in Europe you know. The whole Europe seems to be like home for SOULFLY.

- And what about Brazil?
I haven’t been there yet. Hopefully this year we will.

- You've have had a lot of special guests on your albums. This time you’ve invited David Vincent from MORBID ANGEL. It's no secret that religion is very important in Max's life, so for some people it may look a little strange. What is your opinion about it?
There’s no problem at all.. We’ve became friends with those guys. We toured with MORBID ANGEL in 2004. So since then Dave Vincent is a good friend of ours and he sang on the new record and that’s all.

- S.O.D.'s Billy Milano made a guest appearance on "Molotov" from "Dark Age". I've heard that there was crazy story behind it...
I think that he sang it over the phone. I wasn’t there, I only heard that he sang his vocal part through the phone into the microphone in the studio. It was really cool. I love Billy Milano, he’s incredible guy, really hilarious, one of the funniest people I know. He makes me laugh all the time with his jokes. He’s really good friend. If you’d know Billy Milano you’d love him. He’s a great guy all around.

-You've already played on three SOULFLY albums. In one of the past interviews Max said that he'd like to see frequent line-up changes in SOULFLY. But it seems that he has changed his mind. How would you describe the force that keeps you together?
I think that we get along really good and it’s great line-up. Actually I think that what he really meant by saying that was that he wants a band that changes it’s music with every record and we definitely do it in SOULFLY.

-Max said that you've already started to work on next SOULFLY album which will be not as heavy as "Conquer". I hope that he’s wrong ;). Could you tell a few words about the progress of creating process and possible release date?
I think that since „Prophecy” there’s a big growth to „Dark Ages”. And from „Dark Ages” there’s a big growth to „Conquer”. And I’m sure that you’ll see the same between „Conquer” and next record. I think it’s gonna be the next level in our career and I hope it’s gonna be a lot heavier, so don’t worry.
We all really listen and get influence by a lot of heavy bands so it’ll get heavier for sure. But now we didn’t really start writing new songs. It is still very early. We’ll probably record this album in September. When we’ll finish the touring.

- You play with Max and Igor in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY too. "Inflikted" is definitely one of the best albums of 2008. In my opinion it should be released as a new SEPULTURA album ' cause it strongly reminds of old glory days. Was it your aim to revoke the spirit of the past and classic releases while you were working on that stuff?
I think so. But I think also that it was very natural. We never really talked about it. It simply happened. I just think that when we got Max and Igor together in the studio that’s what you’re gonna get. To me it definitely it was like reminding of what old SEPULTURA was – like „Chaos A.D. That’s what we really wanted, to make a thrash record. To do something brutal and heavy.

- This album is simply full of great and fantastic riffs. Do you have a favorite killer?
Honestly I agree with you. That record is really among my top ten favorite metal records and honestly every single song on this record is great.

- How would you describe the differences between playin' in SOULFLY and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY? Which band is more relaxed and which is more challenging?
I think that both bands are pretty much the same. They’ve both have the same vibe when we record. There are really no big differences.

-In May 2007 4 track demo containing songs from "Inflikted" was posted at SOULFLY's MySpace page. Does it mean that it could be possible that "Inflikted" would have end up as a SOULFLY album?
I think that at that point there were already some talks about CAVALERA CONSPIRACY. You’ve got to ask Max. I’m not sure if those songs were intended to turn into SOULFLY songs.

- How would you describe the today's relationships between brothers? Are there any signs of the painful past?
Everything is really great. They’re just like brothers. I don’t see any bad vibes at all. I was touring with those guys and everything was just straight up only good vibes. It seems like nothing bad had ever really happened.