Soulfly is an American metal band formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997. The o… Read Full Bio ↴Soulfly is an American metal band formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality, political and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, slavery, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera, who formed the band after he left the Brazilian group in 1996. To date the band has released twelve studio albums, one tour EP, twenty-three singles, one video album, and twelve music videos. Their debut album, Soulfly, was released on April 21, 1998, while their most recent album, Ritual, was released on October 19, 2018.

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)

March
Soulfly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dark ages upon us
Hate surround us
Fear embrace us
Tragedy behind us
Media brainwash us
Spirits guide us
Weakness expose us
Memories behind us

Journey in front of us
Roots under us
Strange attracts us
Inner voice calls us
Envy destroy us
Music lift us
Scars remind us
Spark ignite us

Everything will pass on
We must go on
Everything will pass on
We must go on
It's up to us

It's up to us
It's up to us

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Soulfly's "March" depict an individual struggling to navigate the challenges of their present circumstances while grappling with the weight of their past experiences. The opening lines of "dark ages upon us, hate surround us, fear embrace us" reveal a sense of despair and hopelessness that stem from the external world around the singer. The media has brainwashed society, and spirits guide them through this tumultuous period. The lyrics suggest that weakness may be exposed but the memories of the past remain treasured.

The singer then speaks about a journey that lies ahead. They find themselves rooted in their past, yet strangely, they find themselves attracted to new experiences that await them. Despite the fear and pain that envelopes the `individual, their inner voice calls out, stirring them to action. However, envy is a destructive emotion that can cripple an individual's journey to growth. Nevertheless, the power of music can lift them up and remind them of their scars, igniting the fire within.

The final lines of the song are a call to action. Everything will pass, whether the good or the bad. It's up to that individual to find the strength within themselves to go on, to break the chains of despair, and forge a new path. As listeners, "March" encourages us to press on, even when things around us seem unbearable; we must move forward and take control of our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Dark ages upon us
We are living in a time period characterized by darkness and decline

Hate surround us
The environment is filled with negative emotions like anger and hatred

Fear embrace us
We are overwhelmed with feelings of apprehension and anxiety

Tragedy behind us
We have experienced pain and suffering in the past

Media brainwash us
We are subjected to manipulation by the mass media

Spirits guide us
We are guided by unseen forces and energies

Weakness expose us
Our shortcomings and vulnerabilities are being revealed

Memories behind us
We have a past that shapes who we are today

Journey in front of us
We have a path that we must travel in life

Roots under us
Our foundation and heritage provide stability and grounding

Strange attracts us
We are drawn to the unknown and unconventional