Max Cavalera on Pantera Reunion: “The Fans Deserve to Hear Those Songs”

If anyone knows about successful reunions right now, it’s Max Cavalera. The former Sepultura frontman and his brother, ex-Sepultura drummer Iggor Cavalera, recently toured the Brazilian thrash trailblazers’ albums Arise and Beneath the Remains to a great reception. As such, Cavalera was asked (again) about his feelings on the Pantera reunion while speaking to Metal Hammer.

“It’s a delicate issue, man. On one hand, yes. But then sometimes I think if it was like me and Igor had died and somebody else would carry on without us, I don’t know how I feel about that. I’m not sure I would really like it. It’s a tough one. At the same time, you know, people want to hear those songs. The fans deserve to hear those songs.”

It sounds like the elder Cavalera isn’t totally decided on the subject, but he knows that he still doesn’t want to resurrect Sepultura.

“No. I’m good with what we did and so pleased with the reaction. It’s a different thing with us and Pantera; I’m not sure who founded Pantera and stuff like that, but Sepultura was me and Iggor. But if they do it the way we did, as a tribute, well, all right, you know? I think we gave the songs justice, we played them as good as they can be played and people were completely satisfied when they came to see us. At this point in my life, I’m satisfied having one foot in the past playing those old records and another in the future doing stuff like [Soulfly‘s new album] Totem and Killer Be Killed. I want to experience both sides.”

Last month, we reported on the Pantera reunion featuring singer Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, plus the news that Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde would be filling the positions previously held by Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell. Billboard reported that the reunion has the blessing of both deceased members’ estates.

When asked about how he thought the late Abbott brothers would feel about the reunion, Anselmo said:

“Dimebag and Vince always wanted this band to be a legacy band, to be massive, to be our own conduit to success, simply put. I think Dime and Vince—I know Dime and Vince—would want the legacy and the name of Pantera to go on and on and on and in everybody’s damn face. I know that for sure. Abso-fucking-utely, dude. That would be their biggest dream.”