Inflikted Drum Setup: Igor Cavalera's Return to Thrash Aggression (2008) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What band did Max and Igor Cavalera form together after Sepultura?

Max and Igor Cavalera formed Cavalera Conspiracy in 2007, releasing their debut album Inflikted in 2008 on Roadrunner Records. Max had left Sepultura in early 1997 following a dispute over management, and Igor left in 2006 after a decade of continuing the band without his brother. Cavalera Conspiracy reunited the founding Cavalera brothers in a project focused on aggressive thrash and death metal, stepping away from both Sepultura's later industrial direction and Max's world-music-influenced Soulfly output.

What drum kit did Igor Cavalera use on Inflikted?

On Cavalera Conspiracy's Inflikted recorded in 2007 and 2008, Igor Cavalera played a Tama Starclassic Maple kit. The setup featured a single 22x18 inch bass drum, rack toms in 10 and 12 inches, and floor toms in 14 and 16 inches. The Tama Starclassic's maple shells provided the full-bodied warmth and punchy attack suited to the album's aggressive thrash and death metal direction, and the Star-Cast mounting system allowed free shell resonance throughout the recording.

What cymbals did Igor Cavalera use on Inflikted?

On Inflikted in 2008, Igor Cavalera used the Paiste RUDE series — the same cymbal line he had used throughout much of the Sepultura era, particularly from Roots onward. His Cavalera Conspiracy setup included Paiste RUDE 14 inch hi-hats, RUDE 16 and 18 inch crashes, a RUDE 19 inch crash, a RUDE 20 inch ride, and a RUDE 18 inch China. The RUDE series is designed for high-volume, aggressive playing, matching Igor's hard-hitting approach on the album.

How does Igor's drumming on Inflikted compare to his Sepultura work?

Igor Cavalera's drumming on Inflikted is a deliberate return to the aggressive thrash and death metal approach of early Sepultura — particularly the Arise era — rather than the groove-metal and tribal fusion of Chaos A.D. and Roots. With Cavalera Conspiracy, Igor stripped back the tribal elements and world music influences that defined Sepultura's 1993 to 1996 period, focusing on power, precision, and forward-driving groove. The result is Igor sounding like a veteran who has internalized every phase of his development and chosen to emphasize the most direct and heavy elements.

When did the Cavalera brothers reunite, and why did they form Cavalera Conspiracy?

The Cavalera brothers — Max and Igor — reunited musically in 2007, recording Inflikted together for release in 2008. Max had departed Sepultura in January 1997 following a management dispute involving his wife Gloria, who had been acting as the band's manager. Igor remained in Sepultura for nearly a decade before leaving in 2006. The brothers eventually reconciled privately before deciding to record together again. Cavalera Conspiracy was named after the two brothers rather than any particular geographic or genre allegiance, signaling that the band's identity was rooted in their shared creative bond.