Max Cavalera has hailed heavy metal as "the most positive thing in the world".
As a founder of metal heroes Sepultura and also the brains behind acts such as Soulfly, Killer Be Killed, Cavalera Conspiracy and Nailbomb, the 55-year-old singer/guitarist is well placed to give his opinion on the metal genre.
And in a new interview with Prescription Punk Rock, the Brazilian metal icon does not hold back when singing the praises of the scene.
Cavalera says: "Metal is the most positive thing in the world, but I know it has a negative image. I understand.
"But once you are inside of the metal, it makes you a great person. I think in metal, I hope at least, there's less racism, there's less sexism, there's less prejudice and there's more friendship. There's more bond.
"Also because you're part of something outside of society, I think it's cool too. It's a unique thing. You're part of something that's special. You feel very kind of proud to be part of something unique like this."
Max adds that he still gets a thrill when he sees a stranger wearing a heavy metal t-shirt.
He says: "When you are in the airport and you see another guy in a heavy metal shirt, you go, 'Oh, fuck, yeah. How're you doing, man?'
"We have to do that. It's our code. There's people that even when they don't recognise me, I still say, 'What's up, man? Fucking cool fucking shirt, man.' A lot of times, of course, they say, 'Oh, it's Max, man. Can we get a picture?' and this and that.
"But some other times it's been where the guy probably doesn't know who the fuck I am, and I just give him props because he is wearing a Celtic Frost shirt. And I'm, like, "Fuck, yeah, dude. Cool shirt, man.' Let him know."
Soulfly have a string of tour dates across Europe in June and July.
