CAVALERA - Dallas, tx - 10/18/2025
Written and photographed by lua white - IG @luasphotos
Pictured: MAX CAVALERA (LEFT), Travis Stone (RIght) - Photographed by Lua White
As a relative outsider, the first thing that strikes me about the heavy metal community is just that- community. Looking out into the energetic sea of bodies that packed Ferris Wheelers last night, I saw enthusiastic fans of every age and walk of life, all united in celebration of the brilliant and forceful Chaos A.D. Given that the album originally hit the shelves in 1993, it was my expectation that most of the show’s attendees would be those who experienced the height of thrash metal firsthand, but I was delighted to find that many of the most fervent headbangers were school aged children; eager recipients of the seemingly eternal torch that is the metalhead identity. In an age of trends that fade out as quickly as they appear, it’s clear that metal fans continue to remain steadfastly loyal to the music that they love- steady pillars in a sea of ephemeral and ever-changing modern subculture.
Pictured: Fans at Gathered at the barrier enjoying the show at Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ in Dallas, TX. Photographed by Lua White
It doesn’t take a connoisseur of the genre to recognize the beauty in that image; though as the night went on, I found myself deeply engaged not only by the electric energy of the fans, but by the songs themselves. Upon watching Cavalera’s set, a newcomer might never assume that many of these songs have been routinely performed for over three decades. Each vocal line, riff, and drum hit was delivered with a freshness and tenacity that made one fact abundantly clear: this is a band that approaches their material with the same level of enthusiasm and commitment to excellence whether it be the first or thousandth performance of a song.
Pictured: Igor Amadeus Cavalera (Left), MAX Cavalera (right). Photographed by Lua white
The moment that the pummeling drumbeat of “Refuse/Resist” rolled out across the lawn at Ferris Wheelers, the air came alive with the sort of electric energy that can only be felt when in the presence of musical greatness. There’s a reason why the Cavalera brothers have maintained such revered status among fans and peers alike- every note was administered with such brutality and precision that it was impossible not to join in the spirited movement of the crowd. Siblings Max and Igor weren’t the only members which commanded attention, however. Bassist Igor Amadeus Cavalera and guitarist Travis Stone held equal dominion over the stage, wielding their instruments with such accuracy and zeal that I found myself frequently lamenting the fact that I had to pull my camera away from any one artist in order to capture the next.
Coming away from the experience, I not only hold a new appreciation for the camaraderie and atmosphere that surrounds the metal genre, but for the music itself; and for Max and Igor Cavalera’s brilliant work in both Cavalera and its predecessor, Sepultura. As I write out the last of my thoughts, the space around me is once again filled with the brutal soundscape of Chaos A.D., though this time, it is the result of my request to borrow my metal-enthusiast husband’s timeworn copy of the record. Though I claim no authority on the subject of heavy music, you don’t have to be a seasoned metalhead to know when you’ve witnessed an incredible performance, and what I witnessed last night was just that. And, who knows- after the interest that this record has sparked in me, the next time a Cavalera show comes through Dallas, you may even catch me at the barricade instead of the photo pit.
Pictured: fans cheering on cavalera. Photographed by lua white