Heavy metal band Sepultura [ tickets ] is set to embark on a lengthy US tour that kicks off Nov. 17 in Long Beach, CA.

Vocalist/guitarist Derrick Green, guitarist Andreas Kisser, bassist Paolo Jr., and new drummer Jean Dolabella will hit 28 cities in November and December to promote the group's latest release, "Dante XXI," a concept album about Dante's "Inferno."

Original Sepultura singer Max Cavalera left the band in 1996, and his brother, drummer Igor Cavalera, announced his departure in June.

''Despite all of our efforts to compromise and respecting Igor's desire to have a break for himself we needed to follow up our new release with touring which is what was expected of us to do," said a statement posted at the band's official website. "[We did so] with Igor's full understanding that we would continue the touring cycle with someone else it was accepted and fully understood by him. Upon return from the first part of the tour Igor decided to leave the band by his own choice and we can accept that. We wish him all the luck in what ever it is he wishes to pursue."

In September, after his brother joined him on stage in Phoenix for an impromptu jam session, Max Cavalera--who, since leaving Sepultura, has fronted the metal outfit Soulfly [ tickets ]--said that a Sepultura reunion was possible.

The two Sepultura co-founders joined forces on stage for a 10th anniversary benefit remembering Max Cavalera's murdered stepson, Dana Wells.

"Igor called and said he wanted to be here," Max Cavalera said. "He came and flew here. I couldn't help but come and ask him to jam. We've been jamming our whole life. We started the band together. It was such a treat to the fans. I saw the faces in the crowd, they were tripping out.

"And, of course, the [reaction] on the Internet was overwhelming. I kind of forgot how much controversy or whatever these things bring. I was just happy to see him and talk to him and jam with him. Every where I go, people ask about that.

"There's nothing official," he added, "but, yeah, I would say today [the possibility of a reunion] is much more real than a couple years ago."

Sepultura's current members were unavailable for comment as they were touring outside of the United States.