The band CAVALERA, featuring former Sepultura members Max and Igor Cavalera, has collaborated with video game developer Capcom to create a new song titled "Piledriver." The track was written to celebrate the release of new downloadable content for the popular fighting game "Street Fighter 6," specifically for the character Zangief.
Key Takeaways
- CAVALERA recorded an original song, "Piledriver," for the video game "Street Fighter 6."
- The song is themed around the in-game character Zangief and will accompany his new Outfit 4.
- The new content, including the outfit and other DLC, will be available starting October 15.
- "Street Fighter 6" director Takayuki Nakayama expressed his personal excitement, calling the collaboration a dream come true as a longtime fan of the Cavalera brothers' music.
A Heavy Metal Tribute to a Gaming Icon
The new song, "Piledriver," is a direct homage to the formidable Russian wrestler Zangief, a staple character in the "Street Fighter" series. The track's lyrics explicitly reference the character's signature moves and persona, with lines such as "Zangief is lord, and it's time to attack" and mentions of "The hammerfist, the Red Cyclone."
This collaboration is part of a larger content update for "Street Fighter 6." The release of Zangief's Outfit 4 on October 15 will also include the introduction of DLC character C. Viper and a crossover with the 1994 visual novel "Banshee's Last Cry."
Free In-Game Gear
In addition to the new song and character content, players will be able to claim a special avatar gear item featuring the CAVALERA band logo for free. This allows fans of the band to represent their musical taste within the game.
Street Fighter Director Shares Enthusiasm
The collaboration was particularly meaningful for "Street Fighter" director Takayuki Nakayama, who shared his excitement on the social media platform X. Nakayama revealed that he has been a fan of the Cavalera brothers' work for decades, spanning their time in Sepultura, Soulfly, and Cavalera Conspiracy.
"Having grown up listening to SEPULTURA, SOULFLY and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, I never imagined that one day I would work with heroes like Max and Iggor," Nakayama wrote.
He described the moment he learned the band accepted the project, stating that he and the sound team, which includes other metal fans, "went absolutely wild with joy."
A Personal Connection to the Music
Nakayama's appreciation for the band's history is extensive. He referenced several key albums that influenced him throughout his life. He cited their early work in "Morbid Visions" for its "raw and unique worldview" and the landmark album "Chaos A.D." for making history.
He also highlighted the album "Roots," which featured a collaboration with Mike Patton, as his personal favorite. The director noted that the Soulfly track "Back To The Primitive" provided him with significant motivation. "What I'm trying to say is that I am truly and deeply grateful! Thank you," he concluded.
The Cavalera Brothers Legacy
Max and Igor Cavalera are foundational figures in the world of heavy metal, best known for their work in the Brazilian band Sepultura. In recent years, they have revisited their early material under the CAVALERA name, re-recording their influential releases to capture their original intensity with modern production.
Revisiting the Past
In 2023, the brothers re-recorded Sepultura's debut EP "Bestial Devastation" and their first full-length album, "Morbid Visions." They completed this trilogy in 2024 with a re-recorded version of the 1987 album "Schizophrenia," allowing a new generation of fans to experience the raw energy of their formative work.
The original Sepultura lineup experienced a significant change in 1996 when Max Cavalera departed the band. His brother Igor remained the drummer for another decade before leaving and eventually reuniting with Max to form Cavalera Conspiracy, which later evolved into the current CAVALERA project.
Commercial and Critical Acclaim
While Sepultura has maintained a dedicated global fanbase throughout its history, the albums from the Max Cavalera era remain their most commercially successful. Two albums in particular stand out:
- Chaos A.D. (1993): This album was a critical and commercial breakthrough, blending thrash metal with groove and industrial elements.
- Roots (1996): A highly influential album, "Roots" incorporated traditional Brazilian tribal rhythms and sounds, expanding the boundaries of metal.
Both "Chaos A.D." and "Roots" have been certified gold in the United States by the RIAA, signifying sales of over 500,000 copies each. This success cemented the Cavalera brothers' status as innovators in the metal genre, a legacy that continues with their current projects and collaborations like the one with "Street Fighter 6."