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)
Slave
Soulfly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Master
And who made him my master…
Involuntary
Servitude
Punishment comes for you…
From the cradle to the grave
Remove the chains - emancipate
Slave- slave
Injustice
Oppression
For whom there is no protection
Retribution
Insurrection
The middle passage in action
From the cradle to the grave
Slave- slave
Remove the chains - emancipate
Slave- slave
I will
Arise
And Slay my enemies tonight
Whippings
Mutilations
And limb amputations
Grind, captive, confined…
Deep within
Has Been
The anguish of my soul
Face down
To the Earth
Through the skin you'll see my bones
Grind, captive, confined…
Zumbi E O senhor das querras
Zumbi E O senhor das demandas
Quando zumbi chega
E zumbi E quem manda…
The lyrics to Soulfly's song "Slave" discuss the theme of slavery, specifically the experience of involuntary servitude where one is not able to choose their own master. The singer wonders who made his master his ruler and how the punishment always seems to come for him. The verses go on to describe the various forms of oppression and injustice experienced by slaves, including whippings, mutilations, and limb amputations. The chorus then calls for the removal of chains and the desire to emancipate from the oppressive situation.
The bridge of the song expresses the deep anguish and pain felt by those enslaved, describing being ground, captive, and confined. The outro of the song introduces the lyrics in Portuguese, referencing Zumbi, a historical figure who led a resistance movement against slavery in Brazil in the 17th century. The words "Zumbi e o senhor das guerras" translate to "Zumbi is the lord of wars," and "Quando Zumbi chega E Zumbi E quem manda" means "When Zumbi arrives, Zumbi is who rules."
Overall, the lyrics of "Slave" delve into the history and atrocities of slavery and serve as a call to action for those listening to emancipate themselves from any oppressive situations they may be facing.
Line by Line Meaning
Master
Acknowledging the person holding power over someone else
And who made him my master…
Questioning the legitimacy of the power dynamic and how it came to be
Involuntary
Highlighting that the person being controlled has no choice in the matter
Servitude
Expressing the concept of being owned and controlled by another
Punishment comes for you…
Warning of consequences for those who exercise their power unjustly
From the cradle to the grave
Describing the entirety of a person's existence as subject to control and oppression
Slave- slave
Reinforcing the oppressive nature of the situation
Remove the chains - emancipate
Advocating for liberation from the oppressive situation
Injustice
The unfairness and inequity present in the power dynamic
Oppression
The exercise of authority or power in a cruel or unjust manner
For whom there is no protection
Highlighting the vulnerability of the person being controlled
Retribution
The punishing of someone for a wrongdoing
Insurrection
An uprising or rebellion against the oppressive situation
The middle passage in action
Referencing the history of the brutal transatlantic slave trade
I will
Declaring one's own agency and determination to fight against the oppressive situation
Arise
The act of rising up, usually in rebellion or protest
And Slay my enemies tonight
Defeating those who hold power over oneself
Whippings
Punishment through beating
Mutilations
The act of cutting or disfiguring someone's body
And limb amputations
The extreme act of removing a person's limb as punishment
Grind, captive, confined…
Repetition of the bleak reality of the oppressive situation
Deep within
Referring to an inner emotional or psychological state
Has Been
Emphasizing a long-term condition or struggle
The anguish of my soul
Intense emotional pain or suffering that comes from being oppressed
Face down
Being physically forced to bow down or submit to authority
To the Earth
The source or foundation of life, power, or authority
Through the skin you'll see my bones
The physical toll of being oppressed and beaten
Zumbi E O senhor das querras
A reference to Zumbi, an important figure in Brazilian history who fought against slavery and colonialism
Zumbi E O senhor das demandas
Further emphasizing Zumbi's status as a leader fighting for justice
Quando zumbi chega
The anticipation of Zumbi's arrival as a symbol of resistance and liberation
E zumbi E quem manda…
Asserting Zumbi's authority and power in the struggle against oppression
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Demitri EgGe Mackoy
on Tribe
ASTIG........