I still remember that day roughly 25,5 years ago when after school I went to a music store and suddenly found a CD with that new unexpected album and a strange cover. In those times of no internet - that was how we got news about the fresh releases. I had only heard just a few songs from the first brilliant self-titled album (but not the whole record), and because of that artwork I first thought that, perhaps, it is just a rap band with a similar name. But no, - a test spin made me realize that was the right band - it was their magical and life-changing “Primitive”. 

Primitive was the absolute peak of the project and nothing after it could match or come closer to it, though, 3, Prophecy and Dark Ages also have very bright moments. Sure, it was also the timing and sequence of my “consumption” that was important, but the two first records were such a natural continuation of Roots, while still sounding so fresh and relevant, that they have both defined a whole genre for a years, and, unlike many “peers”, stood the test of time. 

I’ve seen Soulfly a couple of times, and Cavalera Conspiracy (or Cavalera?) too. It is hard to understand the rationale behind having different bands that sound identical and have (had) the same members (Like Marc Rizzo who played in both projects and his signature whammy that he constantly used in both bands. Having such a peculiar recognizable guitar player in two bands, along with the same songwriter makes me think that it was some legal circumstances that forced them to use different names). Soulfly have changed a huge number of musicians, and its main idea is cooperation with various talents. 

In addition to that, Max is doing what a lot of musicians would like to, but cannot - playing with his kids. Who else in metal is so lucky? I can recall only Max Cavalera with his two sons (for some reason, Igor, Max’s son, is not playing bass in Soulfly) and Peter Tägtgren playing with his son Sebastian. 

Today Soulfly play a bizarrely small venue, John Dee (capacity around 500), - really puzzling.. I assume this is just because everything else happens to be not available.. 

The set starts with Seek’n’Strike, and the first three notes of bass sound monstrous (kudos, Chase Bryant!). Mike DeLeon on guitar does backing vocals (“seek and strike, seek and striiiike”), but they are clean, and it sounds strange.. Apart from that it is a great starter, straight in your face groove. 

Soulfly play a very percussive material with savage tribal energy. I note how precisely Zyon Cavalera plays the original parts and all the small nuances! 

Prophecy is the second song, it is also a killer. Remember that video with Dave Ellefson (no, not THAT one), where Soulfly have the same picture as Metallica - I Disappear? Great times! The Prophecy has a stop in the middle and a very fast ending, so security thinks it was the third song, and our photographer is ejected from the photo pit. Shame! It must be compulsory for security to memorize the songs beforehand! 

If the band you like comes around and you hesitate whether you should go or not, - you should go. If nothing happens to our musical heroes, they get old. Max struggles with vocals singing much lower than on the recording.

Throughout the set, drums and bass sound very big, and the vocals sometimes get lost. No Hope=No Fear, an absolute radio hit from the first album, has almost no vocals in the mix.

Downstroy and yet tired vocals, then Bring It. It goes great so far! 
Some song I do not remember that well follows (Filth upon Filth), and the band begins having some drum Mic problem (sounds like something hits the microphone directly - on the kick). I do not see a drum tech running to fix it, so these strange claps right on the mic will take place further.. In general it feels that this tour setting is quite simple - nothing too fancy, no effects, just pure groove. It is ten, no, hundred times more energetic than the recent Sepultura gig that happened less than a couple of weeks ago in a much bigger venue. You cannot compare these two bands - it is Soulfly that still has interest in music, headbanging is completely vile, and the whole floor jumps. 

Fire with slightly altered main riff sounds very good, it is then followed by Porrada. Max looks happy: “Tusen takk” to the audience.
Then absolutely mandatory Primitive (daaaaaaymn, that was good), Tribe that begins with Max playing berimbau, again with some issues with the vocals. Again, drums repeat all the nuances. 

Bumbklaatt kicks ass! Again, completely different energy than Sepultura. Bumba is a very good choice too, then Superstition. Note that there are not many songs from the latest releases, which are what makes this show so good. 

Boom, then No - with very good vocals (maybe Max just needed to warm up?), Pain, and then Max orders the whole floor to sit down. It is a sign: Jumpdafuckup is next, and the area is shaken by hundreds of legs falling on the floor in the same rhythm. 

Eye For An Eye closes the set, it is my absolute favourite. Impossible to have a better opener for your discography! 

THAT was the gig to see, but please make it in a bigger venue next time. That grooved and blasted, and that is how you do it! Not flawless (yes, even Zyon was speeding/slowing), but that performance was so natural - Soulfly completely destroyed the place! 

Next on my list is Cavalera with Chaos A.D. tour - I really hope (also expect and demand!) the brothers come to Oslo.