Could Sepultura’s classic lineup return for one last show? Max and Andreas suggest so

Could the iconic lineup of Sepultura reunite for a final farewell? Although nothing has been confirmed, there is a hint of possibility, with both Andreas Kisser, the long-standing guitarist of Sepultura, and former frontman Max Cavalera showing openness to the idea. In an interview with Metal Hammer, Kisser emphasized that any potential reunion involving the Cavalera brothers would need to be a positive and celebratory event.

He expressed that he wouldn't rule out the possibility but stressed that it should be a memorable occasion focused on the band's legacy rather than old disputes. "...[It] would be great to have a final show with their participation, but it has to be great," said Kisser.

While Jerry Springer-like chants of "Fight! Fight! Fight!" could energize a crowd and the cynical, scandal-driven media, it's not what anyone should want, right? People should be there to celebrate, not to revisit past disagreements. After all, even metal can be about spreading love.

Kisser’s remarks come after Max Cavalera’s comments in an interview with Rock Hard Greece, where Max mentioned that he was open to the idea but hadn’t been approached about it. Cavalera also referenced Kisser’s past comments, where Kisser had downplayed the possibility of a reunion, stating, "No, why would we do that? To ruin the party?"

What Max Cavalera said about a Sepultura reunion

"In fact, I think I saw one thing Andreas, of course said, like, 'Why are we gonna ask them? They're gonna spoil the party,' which is very typical of Andreas to say that... I think I'm gonna let things happen the way they're gonna happen. I'm not gonna force anything, and if there comes a time where we feel that we should make a reunion — okay, fine, as long as we do it the right way. Just like with these re-recordings [of early Sepultura albums]. I think we made them the right way — honest, proper, from the heart."

Cavalera also expressed confusion over the band's decision to announce their final tour, adding, "I don't understand this idea. I don't know if they were forced to do it, or if it's a mutual decision of just stop playing 'cause you don't wanna do it anymore. I don't know. I myself cannot live without music. I need to play live. It's like the air I breathe."

A brief history of Sepultura

For those unfamiliar with Sepultura's storied history, the band, whose name is Portuguese for "grave," was co-founded in 1984 by Max Cavalera and his brother, drummer Igor Cavalera, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Sepultura quickly became a seminal force in the heavy metal scene, particularly known for their influential albums like Arise (1991) and Chaos A.D. (1993), and songs like "Refuse/Resist" and "Territory." However, Max left the band in 1996 due to internal conflicts, leading to the entry of vocalist Derrick Green.

Igor Cavalera remained with the band until 2006, when he was replaced by drummer Jean Dolabella. Since their respective departures, neither Max nor Igor has reunited with Sepultura, despite maintaining active careers in music. Of course, some Sepultura fans say, "No Cavalera, no Sepultura," much as some Freddy Krueger fans insist only Robert Englund could play the true Freddy. Still, it's not like they have had zero success after that band.

Max, for instance, formed the bands Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy (which also features his brother Igor), while Igor has pursued various musical projects. Sepultura's breakup was a painful decision, involving the band, Max's wif Gloria, and the death of Max's stepson. The band made a decision to fire Gloria and allegedly wanted to speed up the funeral process during that time of loss.

This prompted Max to say (as he put it in an interview with Revolver):
"I felt like they were biting the hands that feeds. Gloria worked for us for two years without earning one dollar, man — just for the passion of the music. So I said, 'If this is how it's going down, I'm out. I quit. I can't just put a mask on and backstab a bunch of people that trust me.' It was the worst decision I had to make in my life."

Max clarified years later, regarding speculations that his wife influenced the breakup: "Blame me for Sepultura splitting up. I would much rather prefer that."

For now, it's just talk

The circumstances of Max's split were tough and troubling, but whether forgiveness is possible depends largely on the band member's individual temperaments. While the prospect of a classic lineup reunion remains uncertain, it undeniably stirs excitement among fans who remember Sepultura’s golden era. The band's influence on metal is indelible, and any reunion would be a momentous event in the metal community.

However, as both parties have indicated, such a reunion would need to be approached with respect for the band's legacy and a focus on celebrating the music that brought them international acclaim. Whether this happens remains to be seen, but the door, at least for now, remains slightly ajar.