Text by Marcelo Gomes
The Hell On Earth Tour brought together Discharge , Midnight , and Havok on a tour that devastated Latin America and culminated in the city of São Paulo. The diverse musical styles attracted fans ranging from punk to thrash in a truly special night that also featured the Brazilian band Manger Cadavre.
Manger Cadavre was tasked with opening the night. The quartet from São José dos Campos (SP) took to the stage at Carioca Club to present their death metal to the São Paulo audience. Led by vocalist Nata Nachthexen , they performed songs from their most recent work, Imperialismo (2023).
The audience was still arriving, but they were able to witness a solid show in which Nata, with his incredible guttural vocals, impressed those present. Making it clear that the band is emerging as yet another big name in Brazilian metal.
Havok took to the stage overflowing with the essence of thrash metal in every chord. The show was simply mind-blowing, with a setlist full of bangers like "Point Of No Return," "Fear Campaign," and "Hang 'Em High." Right from the start, the band earned the recognition they deserved: a huge mosh pit.
David Sanchez (vocalist/guitarist) showed his happiness at returning to Brazil after 6 years with many riffs. The sequence with "Prepare For Attack", "DIAI" and "DOA" maintained the aggression with surgical precision, demonstrating the technical skill and cohesion of the band.
The band's versatility was evident in "From The Cradle To The Grave" and "Give Me Liberty... Or Give Me Death," with lightning-fast riffs, dynamic changes, and impressive solos from guitarist Reece Scruggs that left the audience breathless.
They closed with “Time Is Up,” already considered a classic by the band. On that memorable night, Havok reaffirmed their name as one of the great exponents of contemporary thrash metal.
Midnight, the trio from Ohio, came next. With a sound that blends speed, black metal, and even punk, Midnight appeared on stage with a dark look, wearing black masks and leather outfits. Charged with intensity, the electrifying performance ignited the audience from beginning to end.
They opened with “Black Rock N’ Roll”, followed by “Lust Filthy And Sleaze” and “Endless Slut”. The heavy set led by Athenar (vocalist/bassist) had the crowd rocking with every song played.
“Satanic Royalty”, “Violence On Violence”, “All Hail Hell” and “Who Gives A Fuck?” were some of the other songs that were played, and it was clear that it wasn't just the fans who were enjoying themselves; the band members were moving from one side to the other, constantly rocking out to deliver the best show possible.
In the audience, the response was warm, and they received several standing ovations. They said goodbye with "Unholy And Rotten," leaving everyone ecstatic and exhausted. My question was whether those present would still have the energy for the main attraction of the night.
Then the time had come for Discharge to leave no stone unturned. The veteran British punk/hardcore band, a reference point for D-Beat and one of the most beloved even within metal, arrived to unleash hell on earth once and for all.
The performance began with a breathtaking trio of songs: “The Blood Runs Red,” “Fightback,” and the anthem “Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing.” The intensity of the performance was incredible, setting the mosh pits in the middle of Carioca Club ablaze.
Perfectly suited to the moment, “The Nightmare Continues” follows the devastation unleashed by the British band. Then, guitarist Terry Tezz Roberts takes the microphone to say that he's in his favorite place in the world and dedicates “A Look At Tomorrow” to the Brazilian band Ratos de Porão.
The veterans, with over 45 years on the road, showed they haven't lost their edge throughout their 22-song set. Classics like "Protest And Survive," "State Violence/State Control," and "You Deserve Me," among others, were part of this memorable night.
In a celebratory atmosphere, Discharge invited Havok and Midnight to join them for "Decontrol," bringing this memorable night to a close in style. Four fantastic shows pushed the audience to their limits with the intensity of each performance. Another one of those days that will remain in our memories.
