by Max Cavalera recently commented on Megadeth’s retirement announcement. He shared his perspective on the decision in a statement covered by Alternative Nation.
When asked about his take on Megadeth’s recent retirement announcement, Cavalera expressed his fundamental disagreement with the concept of retirement itself. He emphasized that stepping away from music would represent a loss of purpose and direction.
“I myself, I don’t understand retirement. Because to me, retirement is the death of purpose. It’s like, you got no more purpose. What are you going to do? To me, it’d be a horrible idea to retire, because I’ll just get in trouble. So I can’t retire, myself. It’s not an option. I don’t have that option in my table, thank God,” Cavalera said.
While critical of retirement as a concept, Cavalera acknowledged that the lifestyle is not suited for everyone. He noted that the demands of a music career can be challenging for many artists.
“But if other people want to do it, more power to them. This life is not for everybody, for sure. It’s a rough road. A lot of people have a hard time dealing with everything that comes with this lifestyle. I’m not one of them. I love all of it. I love the drama, even. I love the chaos. I’m on board for the whole thing, man,” he continued.
Cavalera concluded by explaining that his commitment to touring and performing is unwavering. He finds life on the road more fulfilling than time spent at home.
“That’s why for me, there’s no such thing as retirement. I go home for two weeks, I get bored. I’m like, ‘I need to get out of here, man. I need to get back on the road.’ I spent most of my time on the road, anyway. So yeah, I feel comfortable on tour most of the time. I love it like that,” he added.
Cavalera’s stance on retirement reflects a deeply ingrained philosophy that has defined his entire career. For the legendary musician, music is not simply a profession—it is an integral part of his identity and purpose. This perspective has remained consistent throughout his decades in the industry, shaping his approach to both his creative endeavors and his personal life.
Blabbermouth reported that Cavalera has consistently stated he never thinks about retirement. He aspires to “play forever,” emphasizing the importance of creative expression and performance as driving forces in his life. This unwavering commitment extends beyond a single project. Ultimate Guitar notes that Cavalera has no retirement plan whatsoever.
Cavalera’s passion for music drives his continuous involvement in multiple creative projects. He remains actively involved with Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy (a collaboration with his brother Igor), and other projects including Nailbomb and Killer Be Killed, as detailed by Metal Injection. This diverse portfolio of work ensures that he remains creatively stimulated and engaged with the metal community.
Beyond his current projects, Cavalera continues to honor the legacy of Sepultura, the pioneering band he co-founded. Rather than viewing Sepultura’s farewell tour with sentimentality, he believes that he and his brother Igor continue to carry the spirit of the band through their ongoing work. The brothers have been re-recording Sepultura’s early albums under the Cavalera name. This ensures that the legacy of their foundational work continues in a way that feels authentic to them.
For Cavalera, the touring lifestyle remains the ultimate expression of his commitment to music. He finds himself most alive and fulfilled when performing live and traveling constantly. This reality makes the prospect of retirement not just unappealing, but fundamentally incompatible with who he is as an artist and as a person.
