KNAC.com spoke to SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera recently about a number of topics including the new CAVALERA CONSPIRACY project he has started with is brother Iggor (both ex-SEPULTURA). Here are a few excerpts from the chat:

KNAC.com: How's the initial response been to the new project?

Cavalera: "So far the response has been very good, very positive. People really dig the record, they like the fact that it's a very straight-forward metal album and me and Iggor are playing together. It's been a lot of fun. There's been a lot of excitement and interest, not just from fans but all around."

It's been kind of crazy. Family calling, other people who I've been on tour with. I was on tour with MEGADETH and Dave [Mustaine] was talking about that it was so cool I was talking with Iggor again. So I think it's cool, it shows that there is a broad impact, and I think that most people are happy we are together after 10 years without talking. And the fight with Sepultura and all the bullshit is behind us and the future is where we're looking. I'm definitely excited that the fans are behind us and ready to hear the record and see us on tour. That's why I'm here for, you know.

KNAC.com: That the album is as heavy and brutal as it is is icing on the cake.

Cavalera: "I like the album cuz it's short (laughs). It reminds me of the old VAN HALEN records, or [SLAYER's] Reign In Blood. Most people who know me know my albums tend to be pretty long. And I'd be the first to admit, my albums are almost impossible to hear all at one time, the whole thing, even I can't a lot of the time. The Soulfly albums, they're like bibles, they are really long and have a lot of vibe. So I really like the fact that the Conspiracy album only has 11 songs, and they are done really fast. But I think that the feeling at the finish is that you want more, you know. It's not so exhausting. It's simple, it's to the point. It's like right there, no bullshit, it comes in and kicks you in the face and doesn't let it go until the end. I'm happy. It was a good time to make a record like that."

KNAC.com: So just how did the reunion with Iggor happen, what set it in motion?

Cavalera: "It really started with Iggor, who called me out of the blue. He actually called Gloria, I was on tour in Europe. He talked to her for a good hour and half and that was really important because he knows how close Gloria is to me. The shit that happened when she was our manager in Sepultura was what split us apart in the first place. So that was really good, Iggor needed to talk to her and he did, and it took a lot of courage.

He basically told her 'I know I fucked some things up, I said some things I didn't mean, it was a crazy time, I love you, I love your family, I love Max and I want to be with you guys again as a family.' And that did it right there, it was about family and Gloria was completely open and welcomed him back and after that I asked him to come to Phoenix and we played the Dana [Wells "D-Low" Memorial] Show. And to me, when we played live 'Roots' I felt like the world was going to blow up, at that second right there. It was one of those weird feelings, it was so explosive."

I realized right there that I gotta do something with him, we've got to play together again, we've got to make another record. And in the dressing room after the show, that's when I told him 'I'm writing an album, I'm gonna send you some songs and we're gonna be in the studio soon,' and he really liked that.

KNAC.com: I guess the obvious question is what took so long?

Cavalera: "We are both very proud, very stubborn people. We will stand our ground, obviously to an extreme (laughs). The way the shit went down when I left Sepultura, I knew it was going to take time before we could patch things up, because it was really personal. But I don't think anyone thought it was going to take 10 years or whatever."

To read the entire interview head to this location.