Primitive

When push came to shove, few metal fans ever had any doubts that Max Cavalera would do just fine on his own after his acrimonious split from Brazilian death metal heroes Sepultura. In fact, the guitarist/singer/songwriter quickly proved himself the better of the two parties with the release of his new band Soulfly's eponymous debut in 1998. Primitive, Soulfly's sophomore solo project, introduces the listener to yet another slew of new musical styles, experiments, and collaborations (including Slayer's Tom Araya, the Deftones' Chino Moreno, and the entire Mulambo Tribe from Brazil) and boasts a punchy production courtesy of Korn and Alice in Chains producer/engineer Toby Wright. Among the highlights, "Son Song" is a lucid collaboration with Sean Lennon that succeeds because it is so downright catchy and off the wall, and the closing "Flyhigh" is truly surprising with its female lead co-vocal and bludgeoning detuned guitar groove. ~ John Franck & Ed Rivadavia