Blunt Force Trauma Drum Setup: Igor Cavalera's Cavalera Conspiracy Second Strike (2011) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What albums did Cavalera Conspiracy make?

Cavalera Conspiracy released four studio albums on Roadrunner Records: Inflikted in 2008, Blunt Force Trauma in 2011, Pandemonium in 2014, and Psychosis in 2017. All four albums feature the founding Cavalera brothers partnership — Max Cavalera on vocals and guitar, Igor Cavalera on drums — returning to the aggressive thrash and death metal roots that defined early Sepultura. The band formed after both brothers had left Sepultura, Max in 1997 and Igor in 2006, and reunited as creative partners outside of the band they had co-founded.

What drum kit did Igor Cavalera use on Blunt Force Trauma?

On Cavalera Conspiracy's Blunt Force Trauma recorded in 2010 and released in 2011, Igor Cavalera played a Tama Starclassic Maple kit — the same platform he had used on Inflikted and refined through three years of touring. The setup included a single 22x18 inch bass drum, rack toms in 10 and 12 inches, and floor toms in 14 and 16 inches. The maple shells were tuned slightly tighter than on the debut, producing a punchier, more attack-forward sound that matched the album's more focused production.

How does Blunt Force Trauma compare to Inflikted?

Blunt Force Trauma is generally regarded as a more focused and consistent album than Inflikted. Where the debut had the energized looseness of a reunion, Blunt Force Trauma benefits from three years of the brothers performing together live. Igor's drumming is tighter and more decisive, the production by Logan Mader is incrementally clearer with better dynamic range, and the songs reflect a band that knows its identity rather than discovering it. The drum sound specifically is heavier and more authoritative — tour-hardened and studio-refined in equal measure.

What cymbals did Igor Cavalera use on Blunt Force Trauma?

On Blunt Force Trauma in 2011, Igor Cavalera continued with the Paiste RUDE series that had been his primary cymbal choice since the Sepultura Roots era. His setup included Paiste RUDE 14 inch hi-hats, RUDE 16, 18, and 19 inch crashes, a RUDE 20 inch ride, and a RUDE 18 inch China. The RUDE series remained consistent across both Cavalera Conspiracy albums, reinforcing the sonic identity between Inflikted and Blunt Force Trauma.

Why did Max and Igor Cavalera start Cavalera Conspiracy instead of returning to Sepultura?

Max and Igor Cavalera formed Cavalera Conspiracy rather than returning to Sepultura because Sepultura — the legal entity, recording contract, and band name — continued without them after their respective departures. Max left in January 1997 following a dispute over management; Sepultura elected to continue with a new vocalist rather than dissolve. Igor left in 2006. By then, a different lineup had recorded four albums under the Sepultura name. Cavalera Conspiracy gave the founding brothers a fresh vehicle for their creative partnership without the legal or emotional complications of reclaiming the Sepultura name.