In a recent interview with Guitar World, Max Cavalera opened up about his deep appreciation for Deep Purple, aligning them with iconic bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin in terms of influence.
During the conversation, he unveiled his personal list of the top 10 guitarists who have significantly influenced his musical style. Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple made the list, thanks to his impactful music. Cavalera highlighted his admiration for the band, mentioning, “Deep Purple often doesn’t get the recognition they deserve in the metal scene. They belong right up there with the greats like Sabbath and Zeppelin. From their early tracks like ‘Hush,’ which carries a ’60s vibe, to the legendary riff of ‘Smoke on the Water’—a riff we’ve all tried our hands at—it’s clear how foundational they’ve been.”
Sharing a memorable interaction with Blackmore, Cavalera reminisced about a time during his tenure with Sepultura. Initially, at a social gathering, Blackmore seemed uninterested in mingling until Cavalera struck a chord by mentioning football. “Suddenly, he was all ears, whisking me away to chat privately for a couple of hours, warding off any interruptions with a firm ‘We’re discussing important matters here. Give us space!’” Cavalera admired Blackmore’s unique talent for fusing classical music elements with heavy rock, particularly evident in Deep Purple’s electrifying live performances.
Reflecting on his early days in music, Cavalera shared how he self-taught guitar chords and riffs, with Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water’ marking a significant milestone for him. “I started with Black Sabbath’s ‘Heaven and Hell’, which was quite the challenge, but mastering it felt like a huge achievement. It was a catalyst, sparking a lifelong love affair with guitar riffs, leading me to other iconic tracks like Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’.”
Currently, Cavalera is focusing on new projects with his band Soulfly and touring with Go Ahead and Die on their Unhealthy Mechanisms Tour 2024. Fans can look forward to catching Soulfly live at the upcoming Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple Festival in May.
