LIVE REVIEW: SOULFLY Bring Tribal Fury and Old-School Fire to Pordenone, Italy; July 16th, 2025

After decades of sonic warfare, SOULFLY stormed through Capitol in Pordenone on July 16th with a set that felt both like a return to roots and a glimpse into something still evolving. Max Cavalera, sporting an Italian national football jersey and noticeably leaner and sharper—both physically and vocally—led the charge with renewed fire.

The night kicked off with “Seek 'N' Strike,” the explosive opener from their third album 3. It was an immediate signal that this show wasn’t about trends or safe choices—it was a celebration of the tribal-groove era that defined SOULFLY’s identity. The setlist leaned heavily into their early discography, with the bulk of the material pulled from the band’s first three records. For longtime fans, it was a dream scenario.

What stood out most was the band’s energy and cohesion. Max was commanding throughout, his voice more powerful than it has been in recent years, and the crowd fed off his presence. Deep cuts like “Pain” were a welcome surprise—even for fans who’ve seen the band multiple times—and the inclusion of just one track from their more recent material, “Superstition” off Totem (2022), underscored the band’s intent: this night was for the old-school.

One of the evening’s highlights came mid-set with “Tribe,” SOULFLY’s unofficial anthem. Max’s traditional berimbau intro gave the moment ritualistic weight, grounding the chaos in something deeply personal and cultural. Even more exciting was the premiere of a new, unreleased track titled “Favela Dystopia”—raw, aggressive, and full of promise, hinting that the next phase of SOULFLY might still carry that early intensity forward.

They closed out their hour-and-a-half barrage with the ultimate one-two punch: “Jump the Fuck Up” and “Eye for an Eye,” sending the crowd into a final frenzy of pits, fists, and screams.

For anyone who has ever felt that SOULFLY’s early records held something untouchable, this night in Pordenone confirmed it: that fire still burns. And judging by Max Cavalera’s renewed vitality, it's not going out anytime soon.