“I spoke to him personally on a phone call… they don’t want to be a part of it”: Sepultura founders Max and Iggor Cavalera have turned down the offer to perform at the band’s final show

According to Sepultura’s long-time guitarist Andreas Kisser, the band’s founding members Max and Iggor Cavalera have turned down the chance to feature at the extreme metal outfit’s farewell show later this year.

The Cavalera brothers founded Sepultura in 1984, and hired Kisser as an additional guitarist three years later. The trio worked together until 1996, when guitarist Max left following a fallout with his brother. Then, in 2006, drummer Iggor left the band and rekindled his relationship with Max in Cavalera Conspiracy.

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Given the fact Sepultura’s very existence is so closely intertwined with the Cavalera duo, fans hoped they’d make an appearance when the group perform their swansong show in São Paulo later this year.

“We did invite the Cavalera brothers. I spoke to Iggor personally on a phone call a few months ago and we started some communication. Even our managers went to talk to their management and stuff. But, they don’t want to be a part of it, and that’s OK. It’s a choice.”

Kisser got in contact with Cavalera because he knew what their inclusion for that final show would mean to the fans. “It would make sense to have a celebration at the end, for the fans, and just to enjoy ourselves onstage.”

Arranging a Sepultura reunion – even one for a farewell show – was always going to be tricky. Not least because Max Cavalera has offered mixed messages when discussing the prospect in the past.

In June 2024, Max had said he was open to a reunion “as long as we do it the right way”. However, just two weeks later, he dashed all hopes, saying, “The more the time passes by, the more I feel that I don’t need to [reunite with Sepultura]. The real reunion is between myself and Iggor, and I did that. It’s pure magic and amazing what we’re doing right now.

“It’s definitely out of the question. You can ask Iggor the same question. He doesn’t want to do it either. It’s not gonna happen.”

Sepultura will go ahead with the farewell show, which will take place in Sao Paolo on an as-yet-unconfirmed date.

Head over to Magazines Direct to pick up the new issue of Metal Hammer and read the full interview with Kisser.

Matt is the GuitarWorld.com News Editor, and has been writing and editing for the site for five years. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 19 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. During his GW career, he’s interviewed Peter Frampton, Zakk Wylde, Tosin Abasi, Matteo Mancuso and more, and has profiled the CEOs of Guitar Center and Fender.

When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt performs with indie rock duo Esme Emerson, and has previously opened for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Keane, Japanese House and Good Neighbours.