Photos by Alessandra Felizari
The end of the month was brutal for the people of Rio Grande do Sul, with the arrival of the incredibly anticipated date that would bring the first Crypta , Krisiun , the reigning champion of death metal for decades, Nervochaos , who hitched a ride on this journey, and, to close, Belphegor , an iconic, veteran, very serious and committed band with a sonic mass that places them as one of the heaviest bands in blackened death metal. Everything was perfect in this fortunate lineup – the price, the times, the numerous dates across Brazil, and, above all, the bands, who lived up to their credentials and, relatively speaking, performed as headliners .
The first show on May 27th was Crypta , and the (now truly) Brazilian quartet came with blood in their eyes. The input the members bring is unparalleled and should be noticed by any band aiming to play extreme metal today. Technical and direct in her vocals and bass playing, Fernanda Lira delivers great stage presence, looks, expressions, and gestures. The stage, adorned with candelabras and candles, sets the tone – the girls are old school , celebrating the mystique of a satanic-panic that forged the reputation of death and black metal – both styles explored in their musicality (incidentally, the festival's main theme). The band features Jéssica di Falchi ( a guitarist who was on her own crusade for metal, playing Iron Maiden in a female tribute band, among other projects that made her stand out). The girl simply destroys, has infinite charisma, and shows her intimacy with the electric guitar. She comes to fill the gap left by the Dutch singer Sonia Anubis , who left Crypta before the girls hit the road. Her absence was felt, but at least in Porto Alegre, Jéssica stole the show (and some hearts too). Clearly, guitarist Tainá Bergamaschi showed why she sought her place alongside the former Nervosa , with the highlights of the show being the interactions between the two guitarists, who displayed deep atmospheres, inspired riffs, and great speed. Luana Dametto, , demonstrated skill and rehearsal, and shows herself to be fully comfortable as a rising star in the ultra-violent – in her own way – drumming of this century.
The night takes on special significance as it brings together, at home, the band from Rio Grande do Sul on tour with the legendary Krisiun, also formed by musicians from the interior of the state. The band performs songs from their debut album and receives great feedback with the album's fastest track, " Starvation ," with the audience chanting in unison telling the president to take a hike. The women launch into the track " Dark Night of the Soul," seemingly hungry to show what they can do, giving a true lesson in dexterity and conditioning. Fernanda thanks the admirably full house. The quartet closes the show with " From the Ashes ," their first single, bringing beautiful melodic curves and metal for fans. The sound that Crypta delivers is palatable, not only because it is brutal and intelligent in just the right measure, but because it sounds very much like a classic band using current resources to sound perfectly good (and they are absolutely right). In this way, Fernanda, Luana, and Tainá (and Jéssica!!!) are fully integrated into the market in which they participate, and should be taken as an example of "succeeding" through hard work, creativity, vision, and competence. The four left the stage early, and in a festive atmosphere, we bumped into the girls at the bar for beers, photos, and autographs while the stage was being prepared for the next act's dance.
Brazilian band Nervochaos takes the stage with American Brian Stone on vocals. The quartet promotes their new album, All Colors of Darkness (2022). Brutality and overwhelming speed, the band makes grooves and thrash explode through the PA system, erupting in an almost indistinct brutality, serenely guided by a destabilizing and chaotic sound project (as the name suggests). Long songs are lost in the wall of sound that fills Bar Opinião. Proud of their new album, Stone declares: "You can't leave here without it," in a heavy accent. The band delivers songs from almost all of their incarnations, and from the latest, "Dragged to Hell" stands out, a death metal track with measured incursions. Although their show is relatively simpler than the other acts, Nervochaos leaves its mark and satisfies longtime Brazilian metal fans while captivating new ones on this long tour alongside titans of the genre.
“Good evening Porto Alegre, good evening my beloved Rio Grande do Sul!”, shouts Alex Camargo, taking the stage so casually that I wouldn't be surprised if he was wearing espadrilles. At the Krisiun show, the venue took on the atmosphere of a barbecue among friends. The Kolesne-Camargo trio is very – VERY – gaucho-like, and it had been a few years since they'd played at the home of Rio Grande do Sul metalheads – Bar Opinião – as Alex himself made sure to point out. They played each song as if they were rehearsing in their garage, but with an unparalleled execution of a string of modern and archaic classics: “Kings of Killing”, “Ravager”, “Combustion Inferno”. The vocalist even lends himself to a rare (and boozy) rendition of “Vento Minuano”, from the old gaucho songbook, to the delight of the patriotic fans.
The band also performs “Descending Abomination” and declares itself honored to play with Crypta, with the members receiving praise from the frontman – a noteworthy endorsement. They also salute their old partners from Nervochaos and remind us that Belphegor, a band that is a reference in the trajectory of the 3 possessed kids from Ijuí, is yet to come.
The band still delivers full-bodied bass and integrated vocals for "Scourged of the Enthroned," showing that the current Krisiun is merely a reflection of a long trajectory, uninterrupted learning, and the perfect conditions for a power trio that has remained unscathed for three decades, doing what they love like family. The band even plays "Ace Of Spades" (Motorhead) , accentuating the festive atmosphere of the night, which, amidst comings and goings in the spacious outdoor area of Bar Opinião, allowed for a large circulation of people, encounters between friends, recordings of moments, and anticipation for the grand finale . Finally, "Black Force Domain " closes the great moment that Krisiun had with their brothers from Rio Grande.
More beer, more waiting, bathrooms, lines, selfies – Bar Opinião was visibly buzzing with reunions, tours, and the latest additions to the city's cultural scene (which, to suit all tastes, is more extensive than ever). Belphegor would undoubtedly close out a great night, but it was still possible to see some deserters, satisfied with what they had seen so far. From that perspective, seeing Belphegor was truly an optional luxury. But from the perspective of the Austrian fans, the best was yet to come.
To close the night, the level truly rises with Belphegor on stage. Although the previous bands had a lot to show, the way the Austrian quartet imposes itself substantially differentiates them from the others. The horde raises the volume of the onslaught and brings a tireless repertoire, giving liturgical contours of a typically black metal mass to a devastating and bestial hymnbook. The setlist includes a list of songs acclaimed by fans, who showed themselves to be familiar with the arrangements of “Hell's Embassador”, “Stigma Diabolicum”, “Lucifer Incestus” and other tracks dedicated to the old art of sounding extreme, malevolent and ill-intentioned. While preparing for the release of their new album The Devils (2022), which should be released on the 24th of this month of June, the band also presents “Virtus Asinaria”, a new single that yielded a music video.
Helmuth Lehner , the only original member of Belphegor (est. 1991), vigorously carries the banner of death/black metal , giving his performances a theatrical flair and the visceral energy of an artist who plays for a purpose greater than himself. Accompanied by bassist and longtime partner Serpenth , the two musicians maintain an atmosphere reminiscent of a distant past where this type of sound was often considered threatening to the ears and psychologically damaging to its listeners.
The band was greeted by a dedicated audience, who showed they knew the rhythms and the tyranny of their repertoire. The people from Rio Grande do Sul demonstrated that they hold Belphegor, death, and black metal in very high regard, and those who stayed certainly saw what they wanted to see. Helmuth greets his fans from Rio Grande do Sul with appreciation for the displays of affection for his extensive work. It's time to say goodbye.
After more than two years of empty expectations, canceled tours, and a lack of hope, the music market is thirsty. Faced with the uncertainty of the future, the live music community, professionals and enthusiasts alike, are taking advantage of the good times. We hope it will be possible to continue seeing shows safely, and also that this long period of abstinence will continue to motivate lineups and gatherings of the magnitude we had tonight.
