Virginie with Marc and Johny (Cavalera Conspiracy)

It can be very difficult to make an artist talk sometimes. That’s what Marc Rizzo and Johny Chow from Cavalera Conspiracy proved with their very polished discourse, of which you can read a summary by clicking this link. This interview took place before the band's show at the Hellfest on 21st June. You can also watch the video of this interview on our page. Enjoy!


Interview conducted by Virginie


Date : 2008-06-21 in Clisson (France)
Interview filmed and worked by Metalo



Sum up of the interview :

Radio Metal : How did the fans react to your first show?

Marc Rizzo: Great, it was off the hook. The tour has just been amazing, with crowds going insane… It's been great.

Johny Chow : It’s a pretty awesome thing. Young people knew all the lyrics from the CAVALERA album, but you could see all the old guys singing all the older stuff from SEPULTURA. It wasn't new for me, because I've been in many bands before, but the first time we played here at the festival, it was nuts. The whole place was going up and down. That was probably the craziest thing I’ve seen.

Is it easy between Max and Igor Cavalera?

Johny Chow : Yeah, when you see them on stage, they're just laughing at each other. They’re happy. It’s awesome to see them together.

Marc Rizzo : They’re having a great time. You can see that they’re happy to be doing this, to be making music together.

SOULFLY and SEPULTURA are influenced by tribal sonorities, while it’s more thrashy and classical for CAVALERA CONSPIRACY. Is it an album composed for the stage?

Marc Rizzo : It is. The songs are sure, right to the point. I think they're definitely meant to be played live. We will definitely see the pit go crazy.

Do you think you will evolve like SOULFY, with tribal influences?

Marc Rizzo: There already are these tribal influences in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, Max and Iggor kind of invented that sound. They were pioneers, so I think we will definitely hear more of that in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY.

Johny Chow : This album is like a collection of what Iggor and Max have done in the past, with SEPULTURA and SOULFLY. All their influences come into the band, especially for the live stuff.

It is said that Max Cavalera is very difficult. Do you think this is true?

Marc Rizzo : No, he’s a very laid back, super cool guy. I think he’s the nicest guy in metal, definitely. These past five years of my life working with Max in SOULFLY were amazing. Definitely a super nice guy.

Johny Chow : Johny Chow: And me coming into this whole thing, even before I got into the band, Max called to say welcome. He’s very laid back, and it’s fun. If he was difficult to work with, it wouldn’t be fun. He’s awesome. It’s like a family.

Have you ever considered going solo, both of you?

Johny Chow : He does, Marc has the Marc Rizzo band. They’ve toured the US already.

Marc Rizzo : Yeah, we have a new album ready.

Johny Chow : Personnally I play in FIREBALL MINISTRY. We're recording a new album now, so we'll see what that brings.

Retranscription by Saff' :



Part 2