Last Sunday, the 26th, São Paulo witnessed one of those moments that are already historic: the legendary band Integrity , one of the pillars of North American hardcore, finally made its debut on Brazilian soil. The chosen stage was Burning House, a venue that has long been a refuge for the underground scene of the São Paulo capital. The place, known for hosting heavy and alternative events, received a great audience, and the event featured opening acts by the Brazilian bands Infortuno and Obsoletion .
The Brazilian bands Infortuno and Obsoletion set the stage flawlessly, showcasing the strength and diversity of the national hardcore scene. Infortuno delivered a heavy and aggressive set, with lyrics in Portuguese and an intense stage presence, pleasing the audience that was still arriving at the venue. Obsoletion maintained the tense and dark atmosphere, exploring influences from metal and sludge with their dark hardcore punk cult sound. They opened with "Symptom of the Universe" by Black Sabbath and played songs from their debut album, Obsoletion (2024). Both performances highlighted the strength of the Brazilian underground scene, showing that national metal is more alive than ever.
When Integrity finally took the stage, expectations were sky-high. The set began with an instrumental intro, which brought heaviness and set the stage for chaos. This was followed by "Vocal Test," a track that, as the name suggests, tests the vocals, but quickly transformed into a battle cry, driving the crowd wild. Without pauses, the band launched into "Hollow" and "Psychological Warfare," blending sonic violence with the best of hardcore attitude. It was a celebration of intensity, in which everyone participated with devotion. The fast riffs, relentless drumming, and aggressive vocals made the crowd respond with a ferocious mosh pit, and the energy at Burning House exploded, proving that Integrity knows how to entertain an audience, even on their first visit to the country.
The intensity only grew: “Sarin” and “Hymn for the Children of the Black Flame” formed a dense, almost suffocating sequence, in which the weight of the guitars and Dwid Hellion created an apocalyptic atmosphere. The audience oscillated between mosh pits and stage diving, especially during “Taste My Sin” and “Incarnate 365”, two classics that perfectly synthesize the unique blend of hardcore and metal that defines Integrity.
One of the highlights of the night came with “Systems Overload,” which vocalist Dwid dedicated to the Cavalera and Sepultura , stating that he grew up with Derrick Green (Sepultura's vocalist) and that Iggor Cavalera (former drummer of the band) was his neighbor for a few years. He also emphasized that he is friends with both sides and that the song is about division, not of bands, but of people who try to pit one against the other. At that moment, the band ventured a snippet of “Refuse/Resist.” The audience loved the gesture of reverence to the icons of Brazilian metal.
The sequence with “Rise” and “Diseased Prey Within Casing” maintained the relentless pace. “Judgement Day” and “Micha: Those Who Fear Tomorrow” pushed the show to the limit of physical exhaustion, while “Jagged Visions of True Destiny” crowned the main set with almost transcendental intensity, in a true sonic ritual conducted by frontman Dwid Hellion, who remains a hardcore entity almost three decades after the release of his first album. There was still room for two surprises in the encore: an explosive version of “Hybrid Moments,” a Misfits , injecting traditional punk rock into the set and demonstrating the group's versatility. Closing with “Straight Edge Revenge,” Integrity left the stage in flames, with the audience singing along and asking for more. It was a balanced setlist, navigating between the aggressive and the reflective, keeping the energy high from beginning to end.
In the end, the feeling remained of having witnessed something special. Burning House proved to be the perfect stage for this type of event, with powerful sound and an underground atmosphere that amplified the intensity of the show. Beyond the band's impeccable performance, the genuine interaction with the audience transformed the show into a collective experience, soothing the souls of Brazilian fans who had waited decades for this moment.
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