SOULFLY Guitarist Talks About New Album

Julia Neuman of Metal Assault conducted an interview with SOULFLY guitarist Marc Rizzo on March 20, 2010 at Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metal Assault: [SOULFLY's new album] "Omen" is scheduled for release on May 25. What really stands out about this album for you?

Marc: It's right to the point. There's a real hardcore, punk vibe to the record. Short tunes. This record is kind of different for us and I think the fans are going to like it a lot.

Metal Assault: When you were writing the album, did you have it in mind that you wanted short songs, or was that more of an unplanned thing? Did you go into it with specific musical goals in mind?

Marc: I think Max's [Cavalera, SOULFLY guitarist/vocalist] goal was to put out a record that seemed a little more to the point, a real thrash metal or hardcore vibe. I know he definitely wanted to go in that direction when we started making the record, so I guess in the end it turned out to be like that.

Metal Assault: You released a few solo albums yourself in which you incorporated a lot of different styles of music other than metal. Do you prefer the songwriting dynamic that you get with a group or do you prefer writing on your own, where maybe you're not quite as limited musically?

Marc: I like both. I like working with the guys in SOULFLY and collaborating but then I also like doing my own thing. I do like being able to do whatever I want to and really indulging in guitar music. It's nice to be able to do just the guitar thing, because that's what my solo stuff is, just instrumental guitar music. So I like being able to just go off into that world too.

Metal Assault: Which album are you most proud of to date and why?

Marc: The CAVALERA CONSPIRACY record is really special to me because I was such a big fan of Max and Igor [Cavalera, former SEPULTURA and current CAVALERA CONSPIRACY drummer] when they were in SEPULTURA. For them to ask me to be a part of that record was really exciting. I think we put out a great record that will stand the test of time.

Metal Assault: How has Max Cavalera influenced you musically?

Marc: He's been one of my biggest influences. You know, growing up I was the biggest SEPULTURA fan and SOULFLY fan. I was always into their music and wanted to go in that direction with music. And then to be able to join a band with them was really crazy. Even now with the band together, he's a huge influence on me.

Read the entire interview from Metal Assault.