Soulfly, City of Fire @Capitol, Perth (14/9/10)

Sat 18th Sep, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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Max Cavalera shed his skin in 1996. Growing increasingly uncomfortable, he peeled away the shell of Sepultura and began the re-birthing process. A new beast emerged, and in time, would became a force unto its own. Thus was*Soulfly* created.

On Tuesday, 14th of September, 2010 Soulfly descended upon Perth city, flanked by two brethren.

Ground zero: Club Capitol.

The first attack that night was a creation formed from Cavalera’s own family. Incite was led by his stepson Richie Cavalera. It would become apparent however, that this sentimental connection may be the only reason these Phoenicians from Arizona were afforded this journey. For the young animal was eager and quick to anger, immature and not fully aware of how best to use its weapons. Cavalera barked that he was “…here to kill” but only landed several glancing blows.

The guitarist, known as Dis, worked hard and displayed some talent but his efforts were often sullied by the aimless and aggressively flung barrage. Supporting the spine, Zak Sofaly and Luis Marrufo seemed determined and desperate but they served naught that anyone who’d been to a gig ending in ‘core’ had fended off before. Incite’s cause was not a complete waste, one must conclude, since the more easily assuaged were drawn into a circular pit, and casualties mounted, strewn upon the slippery conditions underfoot.

Flying at Soulfly’s left hand were City of Fire and unlike the still-green Incite, this was a battalion of experienced campaigners; a gestalt formed of fell warriors, whose teeth had been cut sharp on other projects. Led by ex-Fear Factory’s Burton C Bell and capably supported by fellow Canadian Byron Stroud of Strapping Young Lad on bass, City of Fire posed a threatening prospect.

All-out assault was not their game. Instead, they favoured a baiting and trapping approach, using a steady crescendo to lure their victims. With this method, they built before them a throng of folly. But Bell’s aim was errant this night when unleashing the chorus that should drive the nail, he often landed notes just wide of those he targeted. Bell’s inaccuracies were well covered by the pinpoint precision of guitarists Ian White and Terry Murray, rounding on anyone resisting their combined wiles. They seemed to enjoy taunting their prey. Fast hammering riffs burst unannounced from slower, hypnotic sections creating a blissful confusion of the elements. No one knew what to expect. They played a devilish collection of tracks from their self-titled debut album and then threw in a cover of The Cult’s Rain. City of Fire served well to amass a crowd, hungry and appreciative, but left the knockout blow for Soulfly.

It was clear when Max Cavalera walked out that this man was capable of closing the night’s unfinished business. The rapturous applause that greeted him indicated a mob ready to perform his bidding, and madness ran through the Capitol; from the front to the back, the floor to the ceiling, all were led in a murderous chant of Blood Fire War Hate.

Brazilian flag proudly displayed upon flag and instrument, the fiercely patriotic Cavalera pledged his allegiance to his homeland both in symbology and in music. From the lyrics of their reprise of Sepultura’s Roots Bloody Roots to the traditional tribal drum intermission. A similar allegiance was evident from the fans to him.

When Max Cavalera said Jumpdafuckup they said howdafuckhigh?

Though undeniably the soul of the ‘Fly he was not acting alone. He cannot be held wholly responsible for what happened in there. Marc Rizzo (guitars) and Johny Chow on bass, and surely drummer Joe Nunez, they all knew what they were doing. In fact, they are likely to blame for many a swollen and distended toe with their crowd heaving riffs and pulsating rhythm.

A clearly well established live band with a sound designed for the format proved unstoppable, whether charming you with segues of metal classics or enveloping you with the bombastic beats of back catalogue classics: Back to the Primitive, Prophecy, Eye For an Eye, and so on…

Soulfly bared their many taloned claws and heavily armoured back, proving they are a live force. And Max Cavalera proved he can master any monster he claims as his steed.

So there you have it. An international triple-header. So many nations brought together, so many names. And for what? Anger? Death? Destruction? No, not really. Hatred? No. Just fun.

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