The band name comes from a Portuguese translation of Motörhead's song "Dancing on Your Grave" which is "Dançando na sua Sepultura". Sepultura means "grave" in Portuguese (and in some other Latin-based languages). Originally, they wanted to call the band Tropa de Choque (Shock Troops), but found that the name had been used before.
The first Sepultura show was on December 4th, 1984. The band played two songs that never were re-recorded or released.
Sepultura played the Donington Monsters of Rock festival in England in 1996 as a three piece with Andreas Kisser on lead vocals after Max Cavalera learned about the murder of his stepson Dana Wells.
Max left Sepultura in December 1996 after the rest of the band had clashes with his wife (Dana Wells' mother) and band manager Gloria Bujnowski. He went on to form the alternative/nu metal band Soulfly.
Derrick Green, originally from Cleveland, Ohio relocated to Brazil to replace Max as vocalist. Sepultura have largely played as a single guitar band since then, though Green has occasionally played rhythm onstage.
Roy Mayorga filled-in for Igor Cavalera during the European tour with In Flames in 2006. Igor quit Sepultura permanently later the same year. The Cavalera brothers then reunited in the Cavalera Conspiracy project.
ACTUAL MEMBERS ;
PAULO JR. - Bass (1984-present)
See also: The Unabomber Files, ex-AI-5, ex-Brasil Rock Stars (live)
ANDREAS KISSER - Guitars (lead) (1987-present)
See also: Andreas Kisser, De la Tierra, ex-Pestilence, ex-Sexoturica, Hail!, Kisser Clan, Metal Allegiance (live), ex-Anthrax (live), ex-Asesino (live), ex-Scorpions (live), ex-Andreas Kisser & Embromation Society, ex-Brasil Rock Stars, ex-DJ Andreas Kisser, ex-Ed Motta, Andreas Kisser and Rui Veloso, ex-Esfinge, ex-Godswallop, ex-Quarteto da Pinga, ex-Clube Big Beatles (live), ex-Mana (live), ex-Orquestra Rockfônica (live)
DERRICK GREEN - Vocals, Guitars (additional) (1998-present)
See also: Derrick Green (DJ), Maximum Hedrum, ex-Musica Diablo, ex-Alpha Jerk, ex-Krop Acid, ex-Outface, ex-Overfiend, ex-Brasil Rock Stars (live)
ELOY CASAGTANDE - Drums (2011-present)
See also: Iahweh, ex-Aclla, ex-Andre Matos, ex-Mr. Ego, ex-Andreas Kisser (live), ex-2ois, ex-Gloria
