3 (Soulfly album)


3 is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Soulfly released in 2002 through Roadrunner Records. 3 has sold 195,000 copies as of March 11, 2008.

Album information

The album artwork features an Om, a spiritual icon in Indian religions. The original title for the album was Downstroy, after the opening track of the album. Max Cavalera later stated that he regretted changing the album's title.

Songs

Both of the first two tracks were the only singles released from the album, "Downstroy" and "Seek 'n' Strike."
The song "One" features guest vocals from Ill Nino’s Christian Machado and uses the title as first word of the two word clauses per line: 'One soul / One heart / One man / One truth / One tribe / One life / One God'. "L.O.T.M" is a Native American-themed metal song named after the 1826 novel of the same name. "Brasil" is a Brazilian metal song featuring berimbau, as well as percussion performed by Cavalera.
"One Nation", a cover song originally by Sacred Reich, features guitarist Wiley Arnett and drummer Greg Hall of Sacred Reich as guest musicians. "09-11-01" is a one-minute silence used for listeners to tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorism acts on the World Trade Center.
"Tree of Pain" is a tribute to Cavalera's late stepson Dana. "Zumbi" and "Soulfly III" are world music songs.

Reception

  • Spin rated the album a 6 out of 10, stating that "There's something undeniably thrilling about an Ozzfest demagogue who champions dignity as a human right and makes a maxim like 'Faith is a weapon' his rallying cry...the band remains a hard-charging, tribal-drumming monster fierce enough to kick the bulldozers out of the rainforest....3 could be the charm for Soulfly."
  • NME also rated the album a 6 out of 10 stating that "Another clench-jawed grind through seven kinds of hell...Soulfly must be the only band who can make the obligatory minute of Sept. 11th silence seem loud."
  • Alternative Press rated the album a 7 out of 10 stating that "Streamlined and digestable...A impenitent tone is set from the start...enough to get the troops of doom marching once again."
  • CMJ stated that "This one is a winner; don't miss out."

Personnel

Soulfly
Additional musicians
  • Meia Noite – percussion
  • Otto D'Agnolo – keyboards, additional audio effects
  • John Naylor – additional programming
  • Greg Hall – drums on "One Nation" and "I Will Refuse"
  • Wiley Arnett – guitar on "One Nation"
  • Zyon Cavalera – "Pledge Of Allegiance" intro voices on "One Nation"
  • Igor Cavalera – "Pledge Of Allegiance" intro voices on "One Nation"
  • Jade Carneal – "Pledge Of Allegiance" intro voices on "One Nation"
  • Noah Corona – "Pledge Of Allegiance" intro voices on "One Nation"
  • Isabel Adelman – "Pledge Of Allegiance" intro voices on "One Nation"
  • Dave Chavarri – drums on "Under The Sun"
  • Joe Nunez – drums on live tracks
  • Jason Rockman – vocals on "Pain "
  • Jeff Hollinger – vocals on "Pain "
  • Isaac Ayala – vocals on "Pain "
Production
Management
  • Oasis Management – management
  • Gloria Cavalera – management
  • Christina Newport – management