Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1997, by Max Cavalera (b. Massimiliano Antonio Cavalera, 4 August 1969, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; vocals, ex-Sepultura). The original line-up of Soulfly additionally comprised guitarist Jackson Bandeira aka Lucio (previously played with Chico Science), drummer Roy Mayorga (b. 6 April 1970, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Agnostic Front, Shelter, Nausea), and bass player Marcello D Rapp. The latter was formerly part of Sepultura's road crew, and had his own band, Mist, who recorded three albums between 1987 and 1992.
Soulfly's debut single, "Bleed", released in 1998, dealt with the death of Cavalera's stepson Dana Wells in a gang-related car crash. The rest of the self-titled album that accompanied its release also touched on the illness of Cavalera's two children and his conversion to Christianity (the band is managed by Cavalera's wife Gloria). Produced by Ross Robinson, Soulfly featured a number of high-profile guest appearances - Chino Moreno of the Deftones ("First Commandment"), Christian Wolbers of Fear Factory ("Bumba" and "No"), Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit (who co-wrote "Bleed") and Benji from Dub War ("Prejudice" and "Quicombo").
More guest stars were on hand to help record the equally impressive follow-up, Primitive. Bandeira left the band in 2002 leaving Cavalera as the sole surviving original member. He reconvened Soulfly the following year to begin work on a new album, backed by former Ill Niño guitarist Marc Rizzo (b. 2 August 1977, Carlstadt, New Jersey, USA), ex-Primer 55 bass player Bobby Burns, and drummer Joe Nunez. Dark Ages was released by the band's label Roadrunner in 2005.
