Soulfly

SOULFLY has been spearheading the movement of groove metal for decades, continually pushing into new sonic directions while retaining the expert level of musicianship and signature quality that bears the Cavalera name. Originating from the deep jungles of Brazil and now rooted in Arizona, Max and the band have delivered their thirteenth studio album, CHAMA, released in October 2025 – a heart-pounding, tribally infused statement of intent.

The album stands as a powerful continuation of the Brazilian songwriter’s instinct for slamming yet deeply rhythmic riffs that have defined SOULFLY’s sound for audiences worldwide. It marks a return to the spiritual and cultural roots of the project, while carrying a modern edge and renewed intensity.

It has long been evident that Max Cavalera has woven Latin American culture, art, and spirituality into his music, and CHAMA brings that vision back to the streets of Belo Horizonte, with lyrics delivered in Portuguese. The word Chama translates to “flame,” symbolizing the burning vitality of the human spirit, ancestral strength, and the elemental forces of nature.

The album follows a conceptual narrative centered around a boy from the favelas of Brazil who, in search of higher meaning, journeys through the Amazon and encounters indigenous tribes who guide him toward spiritual awakening. The story reflects themes of inner fire, chaos, and rebirth in a collapsing industrial world.

Indigenous culture and spirituality remain central inspirations in SOULFLY’s work, and CHAMA continues this focus, featuring symbolic artwork referencing ceremonial and mythological imagery. Ritualistic themes of drums, fire, and ancestral connection run throughout the record, reinforcing the band’s long-standing exploration of sacred and primal energy.

The album opens with “Indigenous Inquisition,” a haunting tribute to the memory of Indigenous peoples, where Max reflects on forgotten tribes and historical trauma. The track embodies an uprising for the marginalized and a voice for the forgotten.

A key evolution in SOULFLY’s dynamic is the creative involvement of Max’s son, Zyon Cavalera, who has played alongside his father for over a decade and taken on an increasingly central creative role. His intensity behind the drums drives the album with a renewed sense of urgency and power.

CHAMA was recorded at Platinum Underground Studio in Mesa, Arizona with engineer John Aquilino, and further shaped through mixing and mastering by Arthur Rizk, whose work has been instrumental in defining modern heavy music production.

Family remains a core element of SOULFLY’s identity, and the album also features contributions from Igor Amadeus Cavalera, who played bass on multiple tracks and co-wrote lyrics for key songs including “Chama” and “Favela Dystopia.”

As with previous releases, CHAMA also features a wide range of guest appearances. Mike DeLeon contributes solos and experimental textures, while Dino Cazares appears on “No Pain = No Power.” Additional collaborators include Michael Amott on “Ghenna,” Todd Jones on “Nihilist,” as well as Ben Cook and Gabe Franco.

Max Cavalera reflects on the record as a continuation of SOULFLY’s core identity: heavy tribal grooves, aggressive riffs, and an ongoing commitment to evolution while staying true to the band’s essence. CHAMA brings together veteran listeners and new audiences alike, reinforcing SOULFLY’s place as one of heavy music’s most enduring forces.

Powerful, transformative, and deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural storytelling, CHAMA stands as a fully realized chapter in SOULFLY’s three-decade legacy.

 

29.05.2026