Last Saturday, the 11th, Fabrique Club hosted a true celebration of sonic chaos and political irony with Brujeria to Brazil.
The Mexican-American band, famous for mixing death metal, grindcore, and dark humor with sharp critiques of politics and society, returned to the country for the first time without the iconic Juan Brujo , its founding vocalist, and without Pinche Peach (both deceased in 2024), which generated a mixture of nostalgia and curiosity among the audience. To fill this void, Jeff Walker , the legendary vocalist and bassist of Carcass , joined the group under the pseudonym El Cynico , taking on bass and some vocal duties. The current lineup also included El Sangrón on vocals, El Sativo on drums, and El Criminal on guitars.
Despite the 25-minute delay, the introduction was, to say the least, hilarious, featuring three traditional Mexican songs before diving into the heavy setlist. This was enough to elicit laughter and even encourage some fans to try some dance moves, creating a relaxed atmosphere that contrasted with what was to come. The initial delay, instead of frustrating, only seemed to increase the anticipation, transforming Fabrique Club into a cauldron about to explode. This choice for the beginning highlighted the band's cultural identity, which always incorporates Mexican elements into its lyrics and performances, serving as a reminder that Brujeria goes beyond mere extreme metal.
When the band finally took the stage and opened with “Brujerizmo,” the venue erupted in pandemonium. The audience reacted immediately, with mosh pits forming to the heavy sound that filled the room. El Cynico, who had previously been part of the band, demonstrated complete mastery of the group's persona and energy, alternating between sarcasm and brutality with the confidence of someone who understands the essence of Brujeria. The sequence with “El desmadre” and “Hechando chingasos (Greñudos locos II)” maintained the high intensity, and it was clear from the first songs: the band may have changed its image, but it hasn't lost its soul.
The setlist was a journey through the band's discography and history. Classics like "Anti-Castro," "La migra (Cruza la frontera II)," "Ángel de la frontera," and "La ley de plomo" showcased Brujeria's more political side, with lyrics that remain relevant today, addressing borders, violence, and oppression. Unfortunately, these are themes that still resonate in 2025.
The dynamic between the musicians was impeccable; to prove it, they unleashed killer tracks like “Desperado”, “Colas de rata”, “División del norte” and “Revolución”, which further ignited the crowd. Before “Consejos narcos”, the last song before the encore, El Sangrón asked if there were any stoners in the audience and if anyone had marijuana for the band. With a positive response, the guitarist played a snippet of “Sweet Leaf”, crowning the moment and ending the regular set in epic fashion, leaving the audience craving more.
The return to the stage came with the historical weight of “Raza odiada (Pito Wilson)”, which put Fabrique in a state of pure catharsis. Vocalist El Sangrón didn't hold back in his criticism of Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro . And, to close, they couldn't leave out “Matando güeros”, the absolute anthem of Brujeria and one of the most intense moments of the night. The performance was brutal, serving as a reminder that, even with the changes in members and the years that have passed, the essence and provocative spirit of the band remain intact.
In the end, Brujeria's show at Fabrique Club was a celebration of resistance and identity. Lasting less than an hour, the direct and visceral performance proved that the group is still a living force within the global extreme metal scene. Even without Juan Brujo, El Cynico's presence brought a new energy to the band, and the São Paulo audience, once again, responded accordingly, showing that Brazil remains one of the most passionate territories for the wizards of Latin American grindcore.
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