What makes Tribe by Soulfly notable?

The EP features live recordings that capture the raw energy of Soulfly's performances, solidifying their reputation in the metal scene. 'Tribe' also received critical acclaim, with notable mentions in publications like Metal Hammer, highlighting its innovative blend of genres and cultural themes which influenced subsequent artists in the metal genre. When 'Tribe' was released in 1999, Soulfly was establishing their identity as a force in groove metal, following their self-titled debut album from 1998. This EP showcased the band’s continued exploration of world music influences intertwined with aggressive thrash elements, marking their evolution beyond just a side project for frontman Max Cavalera after leaving Sepultura.

Tribe works well if you're into steady rhythms for group energy, short bursts of intense grooves and aggressive yet spiritual atmosphere.

How many songs are on Tribe?

Tribe has 8 tracks, running approximately 32 minutes.

Tribe

Soulfly · 1999

32 min · 8 tracks · thrash metal

A primal fusion of tribal rhythms and aggressive metal sounds, evoking a visceral connection to heritage and identity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tribe — Opening with powerful drumming and chanting, this track embodies the EP's theme of cultural heritage while blending heavy riffs with world music elements.
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Quilombo (Zumbi dub mix) — This reinterpretation merges traditional Brazilian sounds with a modern twist, showcasing Soulfly's ability to innovate within their heavy soundscape.
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No Hope = No Fear (live) — The live recording captures the band's intense performance energy, emphasizing the communal experience of metal music and its impact on audiences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The EP combines tribal rhythms with metal but lacks strong cohesion due to its mix of live and studio tracks.

What we noticed

The EP includes two remixes, which alter the original compositions significantly, adding layers of electronic elements to the metal sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady rhythms for group energy
short bursts of intense grooves
aggressive yet spiritual atmosphere
engaging live performance feel

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, mellow vibes
seek lengthy immersive experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Showcased Soulfly's identity and solidified their reputation in the metal scene.
Career context: When 'Tribe' was released in 1999, Soulfly was establishing their identity as a force in groove metal, following their self-titled debut album from 1998. This EP showcased the band’s continued exploration of world music influences intertwined with aggressive thrash elements, marking their evolution beyond just a side project for frontman Max Cavalera after leaving Sepultura.
Stylistic neighbors: Sepultura· Machine Head· Fear Factory