MAX CAVALERA RECOVERING FROM BELL’S PALSY

Well, this is sucky — but at least it has a happy ending. According to Roadrunner’s website, Max Cavalera is recovering from “Bell’s Palsy, a temporary condition that is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side.” A statement from the former Sepultura front man goes into greater detail:

“I woke up one morning after coming home from Australia and the whole room was spinning. I looked at Gloria [Cavalera, Max’s wife and manager] and said, ‘There’s something wrong here.’ She said, ‘Your face looks weird.’ I went to the mirror and couldn’t move half of my face. We thought I was having a stroke, so we rushed to the hospital. I learned my condition was called Bell’s Palsy but I’d never heard of that. It’s a fucking weird disease. My right eye won’t blink, and half of my face feels like I’ve been punched by Mike Tyson! It hurts like hell. Anyway, I am leaving for Brazil. The show must go on and this Bell’s Palsy ain’t gonna stop a metalhead from his duties. I hope I’ll be OK and thanks to all the fans concerned with me. Stay Metal.”

Obviously, the good news here is that it’s only temporary, and that Cavalera doesn’t seem to be letting this slow him down. Still, very scary stuff. We’re sending out good thoughts to Max and his family, and hope Max feels 100% soon!