In a recent interview with Joshua Toomey on the “Talk Toomey” podcast, Max Cavalera, the legendary frontman of Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy, and former Sepultura member, reflected on the 30th anniversary of Korn’s self-titled debut album.
Cavalera shared how the album, along with Deftones’ Adrenaline, profoundly influenced his own music during a pivotal time in his career, especially before the release of Sepultura’s Roots album. Cavalera’s comments highlighted the strong connections between metal bands of that era and how they fed off each other’s energy and innovation to create groundbreaking music.
Cavalera recalls being introduced to Korn’s music for the first time through a promo brought home by Dana Wells, his stepson and son of his wife Gloria Cavalera, who was tragically killed in 1996. Dana’s enthusiasm for new music was often infectious, and he was instrumental in sharing new sounds with Max. Cavalera admits that, at first, he was skeptical about Korn’s unusual name. “Korn? That’s a weird name, man,” he laughed, recalling his initial thoughts. “I don’t think that’s gonna fly. How wrong was I?”
However, once he listened to the music, Cavalera was hooked. He describes the impact Korn’s raw sound had on him, especially during the recording of Sepultura’s iconic Roots album and Soulfly’s early work. “I loved the music for real. Especially when I was recording Roots and Soulfly, a lot of times, in the car, going to the studio up in Malibu, I was blasting the first Korn album and Deftones’ Adrenaline,” he shared.
Cavalera’s respect for Deftones is equally strong. He fondly recalls being part of the second Deftones album, Around the Fur, which he considers one of his all-time favorite records. “That record is so good, man. It’s so killer. I still listen to that today and just go, ‘Whoa, what a banger of an album.’” This admiration speaks to the deep influence Deftones had on him during this period of his career. He praised the emotional intensity and heavy grooves of Korn’s debut, describing it as a groundbreaking record with a balance of raw emotion and powerful rhythms. “The grooves are fucking great—great grooves on that record.”
What makes this story even more compelling is the reciprocal influence between Cavalera and the members of Korn. According to Cavalera, Jonathan Davis and Fieldy from Korn told him that they were heavily inspired by Sepultura’s Chaos A.D., a record that came out in 1993. “It’s so fun to know from them, talking to Jonathan and talking to Fieldy, they let me know that they were totally into Chaos A.D. when they made the first Korn record. And they listened to Chaos A.D. a lot. That’s a beautiful thing, man. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Cavalera’s story underscores the fluid and dynamic relationship between musicians in the metal world. The exchange of influence is, as Cavalera describes it, a crucial part of the creative process. “The music, the exchange of influences, and you’re feeding off each other to create music. And that’s how it should be, man. You should never shy away from being inspired or inspiring people.”
This mutual inspiration is evident in both Korn’s and Sepultura’s work. Korn’s debut album was a seminal moment in the development of nu-metal, combining metal’s intensity with hip-hop grooves and alternative rock’s experimental edge. Sepultura’s Roots album, influenced by Brazilian tribal music and infused with the raw energy of metal, was equally groundbreaking, pushing the boundaries of what metal could be. Both bands were exploring new territories in their sound, and it’s clear that they influenced each other during this time.
For Cavalera, this kind of exchange is not just about paying homage to others but also about keeping the spirit of creativity alive. He embraces inspiration from other artists and hopes his music can inspire others in return. “I think, forever, it always will be cool. I’m inspired by stuff all the time. And I love the fact that my stuff has inspired a lot of other people as well.”
Cavalera’s enthusiasm for music, whether it’s his own work or that of others, is infectious. He encourages fans to dive deep into the records that shaped him during this time. “If people watching this have not checked out the record, go check that out. Check out that, check out Soulfly, and check out Deftones’ Around The Fur. That’s a great way to start.”
Max Cavalera’s reflections on Korn’s debut album serve as a reminder of how interconnected the metal community is. Bands from different subgenres and backgrounds influence each other, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious to fans. The collaboration between artists, even if indirect, fuels creativity and keeps the genre evolving. Cavalera’s recollections offer a rare insight into how the metal world of the ’90s was shaped by a spirit of mutual respect and shared innovation. Korn’s Korn, Deftones’ Adrenaline, and Sepultura’s Roots are all testaments to that exchange, each album standing as a monument to the genre’s evolution and the deep connections that underpin it.
In today’s music world, where genres blend more fluidly than ever, Cavalera’s experience is an important reminder of the power of collaboration and mutual inspiration. Whether it’s sharing ideas, musical techniques, or just a love for heavy grooves, artists thrive when they’re open to learning from each other. And as Cavalera shows, the results can be nothing short of revolutionary.
