With a new album around the corner, Soulfly was set to kick things off early Friday as they were set as the opening act on the Helvíti stage. This was the band’s third visit to Copenhell, and as it had been seven years since last, they were a welcome return.
The sun was out, tribal drums filled the air, and we were about to be blasted…

“Welcome to the Church of Soulfly! Congregation, get your ass down!”
- Max Cavalera (vocals/guitar)

As it goes with this band, it was mostly a new crew standing before us on this sunny day. Max is still and always the kingpin of course, and his son Zyon Cavalera was still behind the drums, which makes sense, but there was a new guitarist and a new bassist at play, both some hairy and playful mofos! Mike DeLeon (Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals) was the new guitarist (well, he joined back in 2023, replacing Dino Cazares), and the brand new touring bassist was Chase Bryant (Warbringer).
We quickly saw that this new crew was a lively one, where neither DeLeon or Bryant were to be held down for even a second! They were flying around the stage, upstaging each other in every turn in the best of ways! Max was all smiles, a lot of headbanging, and yes, even jumping da fuck up at times. His great mood was absolutely contagious, and the crowd too was soon enough in full swing, filling in the action where needed.

“Bring the shit, Copenhell!”
- Max Cavalera (vocals/guitar)

Admittedly, this wasn’t the most packed crowd at the festival, Soulfly was the first band of the day on this stage after all, but man, those who had gotten out of their tents, gutters, or hotel rooms - whatever picks your fancy - were going at it! Almost immediately we got mosh pits and a circle pit as well. For Porrada, Max asked for the largest circle pit the festival had seen, and I’d say he got a very good bid for it in return!
The crowd also got to sing, and not only by their own accord. When it was time for Tribe, and Max took the stage alone with his berimbau, everyone was invited to shout ‘Soulfly’ in fitting spots, and at the end of the show, there was an enthusiastic ‘olé olé olé Soulfly Soulfly’ sing along as well. Now, the crowd is fine of course, but it wouldn’t be a true Soulfly show without at least one proper guest appearance as well, and this came with another of Max’ sons, Richie Cavalera, delivering additional vocals for Bleed.

This was indeed so much fun, and such a good way to get the Friday going. Soulfly keeps up their form in surprising me in the best of ways with their delivery, and now I want them back for a fourth time, hopefully within a shorter interval than last.

Setlist:

Seek ‘N’ Strike
Prophecy
No Hope = No fear
Downstroy
Bring It
Back To The Primitive
Fire / Porrada
Tribe
Superstition
Bleed (feat. Richie Cavalera)
Boom
No
Pain
Jumpdafuckup / Eye For An Eye