Soulfly
The Ritz, San Jose
November 19, 2025
Photos by Raymond Ahner
Soulfly’s stop at The Ritz in San Jose on their current tour proved once again why Max Cavalera remains one of metal’s most commanding frontmen. From the moment the band launched into the opening riffs, the room went off like a tornado was rolling through. The crowd, a mix of longtime fans and younger metalheads discovering Soulfly’s legacy in real time, erupted as Cavalera strode onstage with his trademark swagger and primal energy.
Touring in support of their thirteenth studio effort Chama, the setlist pulled heavily from that record, but was also highlighted by the heavy classics.Tracks like “Back to the Primitive” and “Storm the Gates” ignited instant chaos in the pit, while “No Hope = No Fear” and “No Pain= No Power” had everyone in the front row headbanging along. The combination of tribal rhythms, blistering thrash, and massive, chugging breakdowns sounded raw and immediate, as if the songs were being forged right there onstage.
Cavalera’s vocals were ferocious, delivered with the kind of visceral grit that only he can summon. His son and drummer, Zyon Cavalera, was the night’s secret weapon—his drumming thunderous, precise, and relentlessly driving. The rhythmic interplay gave each song a pulse that felt unmistakably Soulfly, especially during the extended percussive jams that have become a highlight of their live show.
The band’s chemistry was tight throughout, and the production was refreshingly stripped down. No elaborate visuals, no distractions—just pure metal played at full force. Between songs, Cavalera kept the banter minimal, letting the music speak for itself, though he took a moment to acknowledge the crowd’s energy and the importance of heavy music’s community.
By the time the encore of “Eye for an Eye” hit, the venue was a sweaty, exhilarated mass of bodies still begging for more. Soulfly delivered exactly what fans came for: a powerful, unfiltered dose of intensity that reaffirmed their place as one of metal’s most vital live acts. It was a night that felt both timeless and urgently alive—classic Soulfly through and through.
Supporting Soulfly in this tour is one of Max Cavalera’s other bands, Go Ahead and Die. With Max’s son Igor on lead vox and bass, the band ripped through an all too brief set of crossover infused metal.
Here are more photos of both bands by Raymond Ahner:
Soulfly
Go Ahead and Die
Go Ahead and Die
Go Ahead and Die
Go Ahead and Die
Go Ahead and Die
Go Ahead and Die
