THE BEAST

In a recent episode of The David Ellefson Show, legendary Soulfly and Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera sat down with former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson for a rare and intimate conversation. The two metal titans took a deep dive into their time working together on Soulfly's seminal album Prophecy, sharing untold stories, late-night jam memories, and plenty of laughs—ranging from spray-painting guitars gold to playing for none other than Will Smith.

🎸 Prophecy Sessions: Freedom and Fun

Ellefson fondly recalled the invitation to record bass on Prophecy, describing it as one of the most creatively liberating studio experiences of his career. "Max was just like, 'Bro, you're David Ellefson, do whatever you want,'" he laughed. "After years of strict arrangements, this was just pure musical freedom."

Max brought in raw song ideas tracked on a four-track recorder, many complete with drum machines and vocals. Ellefson remembers hearing the demos and immediately recognizing Max's distinctive signature. “No matter what gear or where Max is recording, it always sounds like Max.”

One standout moment they both reminisced about was an unnamed groove birthed during a jam session. Though it never became a standalone track, Max called it “one of my favorite things on the whole record.”

🎤 Gold Spray Paint and Ghetto Touring

Of course, things were never too polished in the Cavalera camp—and that was part of the charm. Max admitted to spray-painting an entire guitar, strings and all, gold. "My roadie said it wouldn't work," Max laughed. "But I thought it looked badass."

When it came time to tour, Max was worried Ellefson would find their operation too “ghetto.” “He's used to high-end stuff, man!” Max joked. But Ellefson loved the raw, homegrown vibe. “I just brought out my camo shorts and got down on it,” he said.

That tour even included a surreal moment playing for Will Smith. Ellefson laughed, “That was my first gig back with Soulfly, and there’s the Fresh Prince in the crowd!”

🧠 Gloria Cavalera: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Max gave heartfelt thanks to his wife and longtime manager Gloria Cavalera, crediting her as the true engine behind their operations. “She’s planning tours at 3AM, making it all happen. Nobody sees it, but I never take it for granted.”

🔥 Chaos A.D., Nailbomb, and Looking Ahead

The conversation also turned nostalgic, with Max reflecting on Chaos A.D.—calling it one of the hardest and most important records of his career. “That record needed to be good, or it was over,” he said. He credited producer Andy Wallace for pushing the band and starting songs from the beat up, resulting in iconic tribal grooves.

Max also revisited his cult industrial project Nailbomb, describing it as a “lightning-in-a-bottle” moment made with zero commercial expectations. After a successful revival at the Max Cavalera Dynasty show, he hinted at more performances in Europe with a reassembled lineup.

Looking forward, Max is preparing for the upcoming Cavalera tour with Fear Factory, where they'll perform Chaos A.D. in full—a long-awaited fan dream finally coming true.

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