Max Cavalera recently spoke out in defense of Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose. He condemned critics who have been targeting the singer’s appearance in a statement shared on Appetite for Distortion.
The Soulfly frontman expressed his frustration with people who criticize musicians based on their physical appearance rather than their musical contributions.
“My showed me the other day was there some people, you know, sh*t talking Axl and it’s like, come on, man. F*ck you all,” Cavalera said. “You know, it’s such bullsh*t. Leave the guy alone. Because I had a little bit of that, you know, like you gain a couple pounds and people got to talk sh*t about your weight. What is this? Are we like Vogue models? Are we like rock and rollers?”
Cavalera emphasized that music should be judged on artistic merit rather than physical appearance.
“It was never about the f*cking weight. Who gives a f*ck what somebody weights, you know? It’s about the music, man,” he continued. “It’s about what they play. It’s about what you like in the music, you know? So I heard that and I was like totally like again I was like, ‘F*ck this sh*t. Like, ‘F*ck, this is just cowards.’ I never got to meet Axl, but I’m sure we hit it off pretty good.”
The musician also reflected on the natural aging process and expressed pride in growing older.
“It happens to everybody. All of us, you know, most of us gonna get old and you’re not gonna be this. You’re lucky to get old,” Cavalera said. “I f*cking wear that with pride. Like the white hair and the stitches. I take pride on that. Took a long time to get that, you know.”
Cavalera’s defense of Rose comes at a time when the rock community continues to grapple with issues of body image and aging in an industry often focused on youth and appearance.
The respect for Axl Rose among fellow musicians extends beyond Cavalera’s recent comments. Louder Sound reported that Kid Rock has previously praised Rose as “one of the greatest rock singers on this planet” after their memorable first meeting at Bungalow 8 in New York. They stayed up until 11 AM “solving the world’s problems.”
Cavalera himself has built a reputation for authenticity and directness throughout his career, which spans decades in the metal scene. iHeart Radio noted that the Brazilian-American musician has recently discussed his experiences beyond music. These include making music with his sons and even sharing Christmas dinner at Ozzy Osbourne’s house, illustrating his broad connections within rock and metal communities.
The issue of body shaming in rock music has affected numerous artists over the years. Metal Sucks documented that various musicians have faced similar criticism about their appearance. This makes Cavalera’s stance particularly relevant to ongoing discussions about respect and professionalism in the music industry.
These insights reinforce Cavalera’s defense of Rose not only as a musician deserving respect regardless of physical appearance but also as a respected figure among fellow rock icons. These artists continue to influence the genre through their artistry rather than their looks.
