Soulfly incorporates many styles of metal with Brazilian tribal and world music. All of their first six studio albums debuted on the United States Billboard 200, with a peak position at number 32 for their second album, Primitive. Soulfly has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The band has gone through numerous line-up changes, with Cavalera being the only constant member. In an interview with Max in 2015, it is revealed that the band's name was taken from the song "Headup" by Deftones, a song that Max collaborated on.
Studio albums
Soulfly (1998)
Primitive (2000)
3 (2002)
Prophecy (2004)
Dark Ages (2005)
Conquer (2008)
Omen (2010)
Enslaved (2012)
Savages (2013)
Archangel (2015)
Ritual (2018)
Totem (2022)
Cannibal Holocaust
Soulfly Lyrics
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Treacherous the unknown
Skinned alive and left to die
Inner fear comes to life
Cannibal holocaust
Hope is lost, all is lost
Cannibal holocaust
Tribal war, jungle law
Innermost, denial
Self-inflikt, devour
Till nothing remains
Cannibal holocaust
Hope is lost, all is lost
Cannibal holocaust
Hope is lost, all is lost
Sharpening the spears
The fire eaters
Even the jungle
Wants him dead
Snake worshippers
Into oblivion
Even hell
Wants him dead!
Discorporated, asphyxiated
Discolorated skin
Retaliation, retribution
Join the ministry of filth
Hung, drawn and quartered
Confluence, emptiness
Suicidal scorn
The neuro-axis stains
Cannibal holocaust
Enter the slaughterhouse
Cannibal holocaust
Enter the slaughterhouse
The lyrics of Soulfly's song Cannibal Holocaust depict a gruesome scene of violence and horror. They describe the impaling and skinning alive of bodies and souls in an unknown, treacherous location, where inner fear comes to life. The title of the song refers to a controversial 1980 Italian horror film of the same name, which was banned in several countries for its graphic and disturbing content, including scenes of real animal cruelty. In the song, the tribal war and jungle law further contribute to the savage and cannibalistic atmosphere, as the characters seem to engage in self-inflicted acts of violence and devour each other until nothing remains. The lyrics suggest the complete loss of hope and the abyss of darkness and death, where even the jungle and hell want the characters dead.
The song Cannibal Holocaust was released in 1998 on Soulfly's self-titled debut album, which was produced by Max Cavalera, the founder and frontman of the band. Cavalera's eclectic musical background and his interest in different cultures and traditions influenced the fusion of metal, thrash, punk, and world music in Soulfly's sound. The album also features guest appearances by Chino Moreno of Deftones, Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, and Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, among others. The song's lyrics were co-written by Cavalera and David Silveria, the drummer of Korn, who also played on the album as a guest musician.
Line by Line Meaning
Impaled bodies, impaled souls
Lifeless and soulless human bodies are impaled onto something, indicating violence and murder.
Treacherous the unknown
Unknown and unexplored territories can be dangerous and deceitful.
Skinned alive and left to die
Being stripped of one's skin and left to die slowly and painfully is a barbaric and inhumane punishment.
Inner fear comes to life
The fear that lives inside every human being can manifest in real life due to traumatic experiences.
Cannibal holocaust
An event where cannibalism and destruction are prevalent, leading to hopelessness and loss of all things good.
Hope is lost, all is lost
The situation is so dire that there is no hope left for any positive change, everything is doomed.
Tribal war, jungle law
A lawless environment where the strongest tribe rules and violence is a common theme.
Innermost, denial
Suppressing or denying one's innermost thoughts and feelings can lead to negative consequences.
Self-inflikt, devour
Harming oneself and excessive consumption, whether it be drugs or alcohol, can lead to one's downfall.
Till nothing remains
Continuing a destructive behavior until there is nothing left of oneself, physically or mentally.
Sharpening the spears
Preparing for violence and aggression, reinforcing the idea of war and destruction.
The fire eaters
Violent and dangerous individuals who consume whatever is in their path, spreading destruction.
Even the jungle
An environment that is already harsh and unforgiving is turning against the aggressor, escalating the situation.
Wants him dead
Even nature, the element that is supposed to sustain life, is rejecting the individual and seeking for their end.
Snake worshippers
Individuals who worship dangerous and deadly creatures, signifying a disregard for life.
Into oblivion
Disappearing into nothingness, possibly as a result of one's destructive behavior.
Even hell
A place of eternal punishment is rejecting the individual, reinforcing the notion of being beyond redemption.
Discorporated, asphyxiated
Being ripped apart and choked to death, resulting in a gruesome death.
Discolorated skin
The result of a brutal beating or a manifestation of a disease, signifying suffering and pain.
Retaliation, retribution
Violent actions taken as revenge or punishment, leading to an unending cycle of violence.
Join the ministry of filth
Becoming a part of a group that revels in destruction and immorality, possibly leading to their own degradation.
Hung, drawn and quartered
A brutal punishment where one is tortured and dismembered, signifying cruelty and barbarism.
Confluence, emptiness
The point where two or more things come together can also signify a lack of substance or value.
Suicidal scorn
Scorning one's own life and well-being, disregarding their own safety and health.
The neuro-axis stains
The brain and spinal cord, the centers of cognitive and motor functions respectively, are affected by the violence and trauma, leading to irreversible consequences.
Enter the slaughterhouse
Going into a place of extreme violence and brutality, potentially leading to one's own demise.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MASSIMILIANO ANTONIO CAVALERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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