Rock Day is celebrated this Sunday, July 13th. And sometimes the best way to celebrate music is not only by discovering new artists and bands, but also by supporting the national scene. The national scene is full of bands from all genres of rock and metal.
With that in mind, we've selected some Brazilian bands for you to add to your playlist.
The Heathen Scythe
The São Paulo-based band The Heathen Scÿthe brings not only a unique image, but also quite interesting music and lyrical themes. Offering an audiovisual experience, their sound blends Classic Metal, Industrial, Power, Doom, Metalcore, and Black Metal. Self-described as "Post-Apocalyptic Pagan Metal," the band seeks to reconnect listeners with nature through their music, addressing occultism and paganism from various countries. They released their first self-titled EP in 2024 and are currently preparing to release their debut album.
The Damnation
The all-female thrash/death metal power trio formed in 2019 in São Paulo presents a versatile sound that blends various facets of extreme metal. The band is known for its lyrics that address themes such as depression, injustice, and politics, as well as its musical influences ranging from old-school thrash metal to bands like Testament, Megadeth , and Arch Enemy . The band gained prominence with the EP *Parasite* , which led to a partnership with a European label for the release of their debut album * Way of Perdition * (2022). Currently composed of Renata Petrelli (vocals and guitar), Fernanda Lessa (bass), and Camila Almeida (drums), the band promises a new album later this year.
Apnea
The group, formed in 2019 in the city of Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, unites experienced musicians from the national underground rock scene: Mauricio Boka (drums, Ratos de Porão ), Nando Zambelli (guitar, ex- Garage Fuzz ), Marcus Vinicius (vocals and guitar, ex- Bayside Kings ) and Gabriel Imakawa (bass, Jerseys ). Their innovative sound mixes elements of stoner rock, heavy metal, grunge and 70s rock, with influences from the 90s. Their debut album , Sea Sound (2022), received positive reviews for its versatility and innovation; now, the band will release the EP Beyond City Limits .
Urdza
Initially, the band focused on covers of bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest , and Metallica . Then, they decided to enter the original music scene and released their first album, * A War With Myself *, produced by Leandro Caçoilo and Thiago Bianchi . The card game Magic: The Gathering served as inspiration for the band's name and lyrics. With a good reception from the public, the band is known for its heavy riffs, striking vocals, and reflective lyrics, which led to shows as an opening act for Saxon, Burning Witches , and Angra .
Supersound
The Rio de Janeiro-based hard rock group is composed of Daniel Marques (vocals), Alex Ketzer (guitar), Daniel Gringo (guitar), Rafael Baiano (bass), and Rodrigo Tartaro (drums). They released a self-titled debut album in 2016, and a second album, In Tenebris Lux, in 2024, which showcases the band's heavier and more engaging sound. Supersonido stands out for its lyrics in Portuguese with instrumentals influenced by foreign styles. Recently, the band released a version of their hit single "Você Sabe Quem Sou" (You Know Who I Am), featuring over 30 musicians from the new wave of Rio de Janeiro rock.
Hellway Train
Honoring the legacy of Minas Gerais heavy metal, Hellway Train focuses on sounds inspired by 80s hard rock and heavy metal. Formed in 2010 by vocalist Marc Hellway , after a period of hiatus, the band returned in 2020 with a heavier sound, incorporating elements of synthwave and even death metal, which can be seen on the album Borderline (2024). The group addresses complex themes such as psychological illnesses and the relationship between insanity and sanity, exploring literary, cinematic and comic book universes, as well as references to the BDSM universe. The band is a great bet for those who like old-school heavy metal.
Myasthenia
Without a doubt, Miasthenia is one of the great Brazilian melodic black metal and pagan metal bands. Known for their profound and conceptual lyrics that explore the history and ancestry of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the band stands out for its aggressive sound and dense atmospheres, combined with vocals in Portuguese that narrate stories and resistance. The band is led by vocalist and keyboardist Susane Hécate , who is also a historian, which contributes to the research and historical rigor present in the band's lyrics.
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