Pioneering Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura turned 30 last year, and as you might expect, the members have seen some things. They have survived the kind of lineup changes and internal strife that would kill a lesser band, including the wrenching 1996 departure of founding frontman Max Cavalera. Sepultura has played 73 countries, sold millions of albums and is currently celebrating the band’s anniversary with a tour (which brings it to Reggie’s Rock Club on Friday), a new-ish album (2013’s “The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart”), and a semi-authorized biography (“Relentless: Thirty Years of Sepultura”).
Lead guitarist Andreas Kisser got on the phone to talk about the persistent rumors of a reunion with Cavalera, who now fronts Soulfly, Sepultura’s last 30 years and its future. The following are excerpts from that conversation:
On 30 years in Sepultura
It’s great to see how much Sepultura has invaded so many lives around the world, in many different countries, languages and cultures. It’s unbelievable, being from Brazil, barely speaking English when we started. But we learned along the way and we got our message across, which was the most important thing. It was great to see how far we went in those 30 years. We played in 73 countries around the world, we saw so many different bands and food and drinks and music.
On that time Kisser had to step in as a last-minute lead vocalist at a stadium show
It had happened before because Max was always very fragile with his stomach. Whenever he ate anything weird, he was sick. It happened three or four times before. It was a mixed feeling. We were a better band after that, because we grew up so much in just a few hours. I think Sepultura is driven by challenges. The more difficult the challenge, the better we get. I think that’s a great attitude. We have to face our challenges and not run away from them.
On the early days after Cavalera’s departure
We really tried to be a trio with me being the singer, but I’m a guitar player. I can sing, but it’s an attitude you have to take to be a lead singer, to be the face of the band and a leader onstage. It was a very difficult challenge. Our heads were in turmoil. We didn’t lose only the singer, we lost the management, we lost the trust from the label. Ten years of hard work, you know?
On whether anybody really wants the old lineup to reunite
I don’t want to cheat. I don’t want to be fake to our fans. It’d have to be real. Sepultura was only possible because we were always real and honest to each other. I can’t see ourselves going onstage and trying to fake good times just because we’re well paid for a reunion. It’s pathetic. This is not art. Sepultura and Soulfly played the same festival in Germany (a few years ago), and we had a chance to see each other. We actually built a bridge that was down for a long time, but that doesn’t mean that we’re working towards a reunion. It’s good just to have this kind of open door to communicate, but we’re doing different things these days.
On whether the band is happier now
I think we’re much more aware of things going on around the Sepultura world. Before, we were only concerned about the music, and we left all the business and the management with different people, and we paid the price, unfortunately. And onstage, we always have a great time. We respect each other so much.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Reggies Rock Club, 2109 S. State St.
Tickets: $30 (17+); 312-949-0120 or ticketfly.com
Stewart is a freelancer.
Twitter @chitribent
