“Max Cavalera Dynasty Show” on Nov 9 Tempe, Arizona.

I don´t even know how to sum up this show, every word like “incredible”,”unreal” and “monumental” all seem to fail to describe the evening. Living in the same city as Max Cavalera has paid off for heavy metal fans. On November 9th at the Marquee Theater Tempe, AZ. Max Cavalera held a celebration of almost every band he’s ever been in.
Max and I are about the same age, but time seems to have missed him, as he played and sang with 3 of his bands. Go Ahead and Die, Nailbomb, and Soulfly.

Each of these bands are a don´t miss show on their own. Having them on the same bill was magic, plus for fun Max tossed in Incite, Healing Magic, Jade Helm, with supporting locals Six Million Dead, Shadow Gult, Ocean Harvest and Zherra opening the show. If you didn´t get a plate full of metal that night, it´s your fault.

Incite kicked off the main portion of the night and if you haven’t seen, or heard them before, let me introduce them to you. The band is led by singer Richie Cavalera, Christopher “EL” Elsten (Bass), Layne Richardson (guitar), and Lennon Lopez (drums).
Like a crash of thunder they took the stage and horns went up in the crowd and it was a thrash metal assault for 45min. You had to stop yourself from head banding and moshing to take a breath and soak it all in. Richie is a fantastic frontman and led the crowd into a frenzee. It was hard to get good pictures, it was like trying to capture four Tasmanian Devils. Christopher (bass) and Lennon (drums) was a master class on how the two instruments play off each other. Toss in the shredder that is Layne on guitar, was like the cherry on top. The band has signed to a new label “Reigning Phoenix Music” and look to have a new album out sometime in the spring of 2025. I can’ t wait!

INCITE

Next up, catch them if you can Nailbomb! There´s been decades of stories about this band, “I saw them in 95”, “I saw them in Vegas in 2018”. Make no doubt they could have headlined this show. Fan conversations all night were about Nailbomb, and how lucky they all were to see them. One record that’ s all they made (Point Blank 1994), that´s it!
Oh and there’ s a live Nailbomb album out there also. Maybe that´s all they needed to make, maybe with the warm reception Max will give the band a proper “Were Back!” I won´t be surprised if it was a one off show, or if Max is feeling he needs to record new Nailbomb music. Either way fans were blessed that night to see them. Crowds in circle pits, singing the songs “wasting away”, “cockroaches” and “sick life” were highlights.

NAILBOMB

Soulfly,
Circle pits, headbanging and moshing are accompanied by hand claps and chanting as everyone gets involved. Lead guitarist Mike DeLeon is a treat to see wind him up and let him go.
He is the musical equal of blunt force trauma in pure unadulterated Thrash. Bassist Mike Leon’s backing vocals are insane and he knows how to deliver the funky bass lines while giving us some showmanship. Everyone knows the words and every song becomes a sing a long anthem, even personalfavorite “Bumba“. Tonight may not be listed as sold out but it’s breathing room only as the crowd surfers attempt to reach the stage during “Downstroy“, Zyon Cavalera impressing behind the kit with the sheer power and energy he generates. Max Cavalera the conductor and hand in every band that appeared this night. Max is inspiring to say the least, puts in the work and the music happens. It was incredible to see him perform in all these bands tonight and never waver in voice or guitar work not once.
Finally a bow to the woman behind the madness for putting this show together, Gloria Cavalera. She deserves an article of her own, she’s been a promoter, agent, and mother to some of the heaviest bands, past and present.

SOULFLY

Photos by Michael Olivas ~𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖊𝖉 𝕲𝖔𝖓𝖅𝖔 𝕻𝖍𝖔𝖙𝖔𝖌𝖗𝖆𝖕𝖍

Review by Mike Bengoechea