Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Prior to their final farewell performance, Brazilian metal pioneers Sepultura will host an event titled ‘The Last Ceremony’ on November 5th at Cine Joia in São Paulo, Brazil, as per theprp. Two days later, the band will conclude their career with a performance at Suhai Music Hall in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 7th. Initially, Sepultura intended to perform at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu stadium, which has a capacity of 26,000 spectators, for their farewell concert. However, last month, they rescheduled to a smaller venue with a capacity of 9,000 attendees. The band announced their decision to disband in December 2023, and their farewell tour has since traveled internationally.
Sepultura was established in 1984 in Belo Horizonte by siblings Max and Igor Cavalera. They were the children of model Vânia and the prosperous Italian diplomat Graciliano, whose death resulted in the family’s financial decline. The loss of Graciliano profoundly impacted his sons, motivating them to form a musical ensemble after Max listened to Black Sabbath‘s 1972 album “Vol. 4” on the same day. They adopted the name Sepultura, the Portuguese term for “grave,” inspired by translating lyrics from the Motörhead track “Dancing on Your Grave.“
Prior to forming the band, the brothers participated in a cover band. Their initial musical influences encompassed bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, as well as punk and hardcore groups like V8, Terveet Kädet, Rattus, and Discharge. They frequently visited a record store in São Paulo that curated tapes of contemporary releases by American bands. Their musical preferences evolved notably after discovering the band Venom.
The Cavalera brothers expanded their musical influences by exploring more extreme metal bands such as Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Exciter, and Dark Angel. They were also inspired by prominent Brazilian metal bands including Stress, Sagrado Inferno, and Dorsal Atlântica. By 1984, they had discontinued their formal education. Following several early changes in band membership, Sepultura achieved a stable lineup consisting of Max on guitar, Igor on drums, lead vocalist Wagner Lamounier, and bassist Paulo Jr. In March 1985, Lamounier left the band to become the leader of the pioneering Brazilian black metal band Sarcófago. Max assumed vocal responsibilities, and Jairo Guedz was recruited as the lead guitarist.
