Soulfly’s Max Cavalera Recovering From Bout With Bell’s Palsy

Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera is recovering from a bout with Bell's Palsy, a temporary condition that is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side.

Cavalera, 42, was diagnosed with a case of Bell's Palsy last week upon his return from Australia. He consulted a doctor and was put on a course of antibiotics and is improving greatly and is expected to make a full recovery imminently. He thanks fans for their concern and well wishes and wanted his supporters to know that he is okay, since the condition manifests in the face and he ultimately didn't want fans to worry.

Of his recent illness, Max said, "I woke up one morning after coming home from Australia and the whole room was spinning. I looked at Gloria and said, 'There's something wrong here.' She said, 'Your face looks weird.' I went to the mirror and couldn't move half of my face. We thought I was having a stroke, so we rushed to the hospital. I learned my condition was called Bell's Palsy but I'd never heard of that. It's a f---ng weird disease. My right eye won't blink, and half of my face feels like I've been punched by Mike Tyson! It hurts like hell. Anyway, I am leaving for Brazil. The show must go on and this Bell's Palsy ain't gonna stop a metalhead from his duties. I hope I'll be ok and thanks to all the fans concerned with me. Stay Metal."

Soulfly will release 'Enslaved,' their eighth studio album, on March 13.