Text by: Jéssica Marinho and Vitor Melo
Bangers Open Air 2026 is coming! The festival will take place at the Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo on April 25th and 26th. Secure your tickets at Clube do Ingresso .
In addition to international acts like Twisted Sister , In Flames , Within Temptation , and others, the festival will feature performances by major names in Brazilian rock and metal. With that in mind, Wikimetal has compiled a list of all the bands that will be playing over the two days of the event.
Saturday (25/04)
Crypta
One of the biggest names in Brazilian metal, the death metal band formed in 2019 by Fernanda Lira (bass and vocals) and Luana Dametto (drums) after their departure from the band Nervosa, has already achieved great milestones in their career. From the beginning, the group attracted attention for betting on an extreme, technical and direct sound, but with its own identity. The debut album, Echoes of the Soul (2021), was well received by international music critics and quickly placed the band on the global heavy metal circuit.
In 2023, Crypta released their second album, Shades of Sorrow , further developing their sound with darker and more aggressive compositions, as well as lyrics that address themes such as loss, pain, and emotional strength. The band has accumulated extensive tours across Europe, the United States, and Latin America, appearances at major festivals, and recognition as one of the leading names in extreme metal to emerge in Brazil in recent years. From the beginning, the band has stood out for its artistic consistency and strong stage presence, winning over audiences even outside the traditional death metal scene.
Violator
A Brazilian thrash metal band formed in 2002 in Brasília, gained prominence for reviving the raw and fast sound of 1980s thrash, with strong influences from bands like Exodus, Slayer , and Kreator. Singing in English and adopting a completely underground stance, the group began to attract attention with the EP Chemical Assault (2004), which circulated widely in the heavy music scene and opened doors outside of Brazil. Their first full-length album, Violent Mosh (2008), consolidated the band's place on the international scene, with positive reviews in specialized magazines and invitations to perform abroad.
The band built its reputation almost exclusively in the underground circuit, without major commercial campaigns, becoming a reference for fans of more traditional and visceral thrash. In 2013, they released Scenarios of Brutality , deepening their aggressive and direct sound, with lyrics of social and political criticism, maintaining the old-school aesthetic as their trademark. The band already has international tours, participation in extreme metal festivals, and recognition as one of the main representatives of Brazilian thrash metal abroad.
Korzus
The veterans of this festival day, Korzus, possess a rare longevity within extreme metal, surviving numerous lineup changes without losing their sonic identity, remaining active for over 40 years as one of the most respected names in Brazilian metal. Formed in 1983 in São Paulo, during the effervescence of the national metal scene of the 1980s, and influenced by thrash metal and hardcore, the band stood out early on for its extreme speed, aggressiveness, and critical lyrics, becoming a fundamental part of the so-called "São Paulo metal" scene.
The group gained prominence with the albums Sonho Maníaco (1987) and Mass Illusion (1991), the latter considered a landmark of Brazilian thrash and frequently cited among the most influential albums of the genre in Brazil. Over the decades, Korzus maintained a consistent trajectory, releasing works such as Ties of Blood (2004), Discipline of Hate (2010), and Legion (2014), in addition to touring Brazil, Europe, and Latin America.
Overdose
One of the pioneers of Brazilian heavy/thrash metal, formed in 1985 in Belo Horizonte, the band emerged in the same cultural context that revealed the Minas Gerais extreme metal scene in the 1980s. A decisive milestone in their trajectory occurred early on, when the band participated in the split EP Bestial Devastation / Século XX (1985), released in partnership with Sepultura . The album became one of the most important records in Brazilian metal.
With a sound that ranged between traditional heavy metal and the rising thrash metal, Overdose quickly gained prominence in the underground scene and made history by participating in the compilation Warfare Noise I (1986), a fundamental record of Brazilian metal that introduced the group to national and international audiences, being one of the first Brazilian metal bands to perform in Europe, paving the way for other national formations abroad. The debut EP, Século XX (1985), followed by the EP …Conscience… (1987), consolidated Overdose's identity with lyrics in Portuguese and an aggressive and direct approach.
Hangar
Formed in 1997 in Porto Alegre, and led by drummer Aquiles Priester, Hangar became one of the leading names in power/prog metal. From the beginning, the group stood out for combining heaviness, technique, and a strong melodic sense, with elaborate arrangements and influences from both European metal and classical music. Their debut album, Inside Your Soul (2001), quickly put the band on the international radar, leading to tours in Europe and Japan and solidifying Hangar's name outside of Brazil.
Throughout their career, the band released works such as The Reason of Your Conviction (2007), Infallible (2011), and Stronger Than Ever (2016). In 2018, the band performed their last show at Manifesto Bar. After several lineup changes, which helped shape Hangar as a band open to different phases and vocalists over the years, they return after a hiatus with a commemorative tour and a new take on the music.
Marena
The newest band in this lineup and the only representative of melodic hard rock/AOR, led by vocalist Rod Marenna , the band gained notoriety for reviving the classic sound of 1980s rock with modern production and its own identity. The project took shape throughout the 2010s and attracted attention for its vocal quality, catchy choruses, and strong influence from European and North American hard rock, engaging with names like Journey, Foreigner , and Whitesnake , without losing its personality.
The discography includes albums such as No Regrets (2017) and Voyager (2021), which helped the band gain recognition both in Brazil and abroad, especially among fans of melodic rock. Among their main achievements are positive reception on international specialized websites and radio stations, as well as collaborations with musicians from the hard rock scene. Marenna has established itself as a project with global appeal, singing in English and directly targeting an international audience, something still uncommon among Brazilian bands of the genre.
School of Rock
The internationally renowned music education project that takes students to the stages of major festivals returns to Bangers Open Air. Conceived by the School of Rock , present in Brazil for years, the initiative brings together young musicians—usually children and teenagers—for live performances with a repertoire based on rock and metal classics, offering practical experience in professional settings. The project has a formative and cultural character, bringing new talents closer to the professional scene and reinforcing the importance of music education within the rock universe.
Sunday (April 26)
Angra Reunion
As the main attraction of the day, the band will take the stage for a historic moment . After years of waiting, the celebrated Nova Era lineup will finally reunite. Guitarist Kiko Loureiro , vocalist Edu Falaschi , and drummer Aquiles Priester will join forces again with guitarist Rafael Bittencourt and bassist Felipe Andreoli to celebrate 25 years since the release of the iconic album Rebirth , which put the band back on top after the turbulent departure of Andre Matos in 1999. This lineup also recorded the albums Temple of Shadows (2004) and Aurora Consurgens (2006). The “Angra Reunion” show will also celebrate the 35th anniversary of the group's founding and will be divided into three parts.
The first part of the show will focus on the band's current phase and will feature the current lineup: Rafael Bittencourt, Felipe Andreoli, guitarist Marcelo Barbosa, drummer Bruno Valverde , and singer Alírio Netto – who is the special guest for the show. Italian Fabio Lione will also be present and will give his last performance as the group's vocalist. Following this, the Rebirth will present a commemorative set from this period. Finally, everyone will be together on stage to celebrate Angra , closing the festival in a historic way. This is the first time a Brazilian band has headlined the event.
Project 46
One of the leading names in Brazilian death/metalcore, formed in 2008, needs no introduction. Originating from São Paulo, the band gained prominence for its completely independent and professional production. They are characterized by an aggressive sound and lyrics in Portuguese that address social issues. Their debut album, Doa a Quem Doer (2011), garnered praise and the opportunity to perform on major stages. A highlight was their performance at Monsters of Rock 2013 , where they were chosen by popular vote. With Que Seja a Nossa Vontade (2014), their reach was even greater, securing album of the year awards and invitations to festivals such as Rock in Rio and Maximus Festival .
In 2017, they released the acclaimed Tr3s , which showcased the band's lyrical and sonic maturity. This album secured international recognition, including a performance at Knotfest Mexico in 2019. In 2023, Robb Flynn invited the band to share the stage with Machine Head in São Paulo. Currently, the band is working on developing their fourth album.
Noturnall
A major exponent of melodic metal in the country, the group led by vocalist Thiago Bianchi has been around for twelve years. From the beginning, the albums Noturnall (2014) and Back To Fuck You Up (2015) already showed a sound marked by fast guitars and strong drum lines. Always collaborating with big names like Mike Portnoy ( Dream Theater ), Mike Orlando and Russell Allen ( Symphony X) , the band continued to evolve melodically with the albums 9 (2017) and Cosmic Redemption (2023). This last work features the historic participation of Ney Matogrosso on the track "O Tempo Não Para".
They are one of the most internationally active Brazilian bands, having toured extensively in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. In 2024, they served as the backing band for Paul Di'Anno on his UK tour and in several Brazilian cities. These were the last shows of the iconic former Iron Maiden , who passed away in October of that year. The group has also performed at major festivals such as Rock in Rio and Summer Breeze Brasil.
Thunder
This band from São Paulo, formed in 2016, stood out for reviving the musical and visual wave of 80s hard rock and heavy metal. They feature lyrics in Portuguese, AOR influences, and strong inspiration from bands like Saxon , Ratt , Dokken , and Patrulha do Espaço . Their debut album, Prisioneiro do Rock n' Roll (2021), strongly showcased this nostalgic identity, earning the group praise.
Last year, they released their highly anticipated second studio album, Diamante . Experiencing an unprecedented rise in popularity, the group became the first Brazilian band confirmed for the legendary German festival Keep It True, where they will perform alongside names like Savatage , Armored Saint , and Metal Church .
Paradise in Flames
Formed in the Minas Gerais city of Santa Luzia in 2002, the band's main characteristic is the fusion of symphonic death/black metal. Through the demo Empire in Ashes (2003) and the EP Devil From the Sky (2004), the group began to challenge standards in their compositions. The debut album, Homo Morbus Est (2006), paved the way for the group's success beyond state borders, with an extensive tour throughout Brazil and significant visibility in Portugal.
Their resume includes shows in Europe alongside names like I Am Morbid and Diabolical . The band reached a new creative level after releasing Blindness (2024), their most recent work, a black metal opera inspired by the work of Portuguese writer José Saramago . More recently, they made their first trip to Asia, with performances in China and Japan.
Evil
This all-female rock band, formed in 2020 during the pandemic, gained prominence for its distinctive sound and intense stage presence, becoming one of the great revelations of the genre in the country. The group began to attract attention with lyrics in Portuguese and the singles "Mais Um Gole" and "Cada Escolha uma Renúncia".
Their debut album, A Noite Vai Ferver , released in 2021, solidified the quartet's place on the national scene. With positive reviews from music critics, they began receiving invitations to perform at major festivals such as Rock in Rio and Best of Blues and Rock . In 2025, they released their self-titled album and began blending Portuguese and English in their compositions. They are considered by Rolling Stone Brazil to be one of the most promising bands of the new generation of Brazilian music.
Chaos Synopsis
Formed in 2005 in São José dos Campos, the thrash/death metal band is known for its aggressive sound and lyrics inspired by dark historical events. With the demo * Garden of Forgotten Shadows* (2006), the EP *Postwar Madness * (2009), and the debut album *Kvlt ov Dementia* (2009), they began to attract attention in the extreme music scene. The positive reception solidified the quartet's name worldwide. In two decades of their career, they have already completed numerous tours in Europe and Latin America.
Through acclaimed concept albums such as Art of Killing (2013) and Seasons of Red (2015), their success grew even further. These albums deepened the band's historical research themes, addressing topics ranging from serial killers to conquerors of humanity. Even with their established following, the group still frequently performs in the underground scene.
Clash Bulldogs
With only five years in the business and hailing from the city of Nova Friburgo, the band gained prominence for blending heavy metal, hard rock, and stoner rock. The name comes from the band's pet bulldog, Argus. With a modern sound, the group attracted attention with the release of six singles and music videos, which opened doors for performances alongside major national names such as Angra, Torture Squad , and Noturnall.
In 2023, they released their debut album, Bark Power , produced by Thiago Bianchi (Noturnall) and featuring special appearances by Blaze Bayley and Mike Orlando ( Adrenaline Mob ). Through energetic performances and constant presence at festivals, such as the Friburgo Rock Fest in 2023, they began to gain notoriety. In 2024, they were the opening act for Bruce Dickinson in Brazil, in addition to playing at Summer Breeze Brasil .
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