Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ARPhotoSF
It seems like every band these days is doing anniversary and album anniversary tours. Maybe the band has been around 10, 25, 50 years? Maybe their most popular album has been around long enough for their fans (or the music press in general) to consider it a classic record? Most generally wait for a milestone year, 10 at least, before doing it, and it always seems to be on the 5- or 10- year increment.
Max and Iggor Cavalera founded Sepultura in 1984. The 40th anniversary of that band is coming up in 2024, although both have not been in it since 1996 and 2006, respectively (only the bass player is a near-original member). The Cavalera’s may not be able to tour using the name Sepultura, but they can still celebrate the early albums that they took part in writing and recording. Despite the odd number of years since they were released (33 and 31 years), Cavalera Conspiracy decided to go against the grain and tour exclusively on these two albums!
Beneath the Remains was released in 1989 and is their seminal record. It was an immediate success and has since been acknowledged as one of the top 20 thrash metal albums of all time. Two years later, the release of Arise was also critically acclaimed and their first to chart on the Billboard 200.
The moment Max left Sepultura, he started Soulfly, and since then, has had numerous projects including Cavalera Conspiracy, Killer Be Killed, and Go Ahead and Die.
Although the show on the 16th was less than full, the Great American Music Hall was very sold-out on this Friday night. To hear the original voice, guitar, and drummer of nearly 80% of each album was amazing, it’s no wonder! Check out this setlist…
Cavalera Conspiracy recently lost their long-time guitarist Marc Rizzo (also formerly of Soulfly) and was replaced with Daniel Gonzalez (Possessed, Gruesome) on this tour. Due to this connection, Possessed singer Jeff Becerra was in attendance and joined Max & Iggor during the encore for a rousing duet of Death Metal (from Possessed 1985 debut album Seven Churches)!
The current band that is still known as Sepultura has nine more albums since Max left (five since Igor left), but nothing will ever come close to the mastery of Beneath and Arise, both of which are two of the most essential death/thrash metal albums of all time.
Click on any photo below for a slideshow of full-size images of Max & Iggor Cavalera.
Opening for Max and Igor was Cephalic Carnage and Healing Magic featuring Igor A. Cavalera, Max’s son.
Click on any photo below for a slideshow of full-size images of Cephalic Carnage and Healing Magic.
See more photos of all of your favorite Metal musicians at Alan Ralph‘s photo portfolio.
