After a very successful Friday and Saturday, the final day of Summer Breeze Brasil 2024 takes place this Sunday, the 28th. Hosted at the Memorial da América Latina, the Brazilian version of the German festival brought a wide variety of artists from different styles, delivering performances that delighted the audience.
Coverage of the first two days is already published here on the website. Click here to check it out.
Overkill
The day began with Eclipse on the Ice Stage, followed by While She Sleeps on the Hot Stage. Returning to the first stage, the American band Overkill delivered a performance marked by speed and technique. The musicians didn't hesitate to showcase the full power of classic thrash metal, characteristic of the 1980s.
The group, currently consisting of Robert Ellsworth (vocals), Derek Tailer (guitar), Dave Linsk (guitar), David Ellefson (bass) and Jason Bittner (drums), delivered a technically proficient show, with special emphasis on the guitar solos.
Ellefson, former Megadeth , is filling in for DD Verni , who did not participate in this South American tour—which ended with a stop in Brazil—because he underwent shoulder surgery and is currently recovering.
Another striking characteristic of Overkill's sound is Ellsworth's distinctive voice, which doesn't appeal to everyone as it's not the most melodic, but it's undeniable that he delivers a good performance and exudes the essence of metal.
One song that deserves special mention in the setlist the band chose to perform in São Paulo is "Wicked Place," from their most recent album, Scorched (2023), which, in addition to featuring an excellent guitar riff, also boasts a prominent drum line. Linsk delivers a captivating guitar solo.
But not only in that track. The guitarist is a true explosion on his instrument, never letting the bar drop at any point.
The Overkill show is a classic choice for any old-school thrash metal fan, however, it may not be the most enjoyable for those who aren't big fans of the genre — largely due to Ellsworth's voice which, even when speaking, is loud and screamed.
Avatar
Returning to the Hot Stage, Avatar kicked off their set at 2:30 PM. Besides their sound, the band is popular for their iconic visual style.
With the sensational "Dance Devil Dance," from their most recent album of the same name, released in 2023, the group has already showcased all their talent in an explosive performance that had the audience shouting the catchy chorus along with the band.
The group has been active for several years and is definitely a band worth checking out. Not only are their songs well above average, but their entire live performance is also exceptional.
The stage presence of vocalist Johannes Eckerström is absolutely captivating. It's impossible to stop looking at him while he's on stage; besides being a great vocalist, he hits the notes and sings without showing any difficulty.
Their aesthetic is reminiscent of clowns, and what better clown to embody than the Joker? Indeed, the lead singer speaks like the classic villain from the Batman movies while interacting with the audience, and it's phenomenal.
Another special detail of the Avatar show is when they come together and start headbanging in perfect sync. This excites the fans even more and makes them want to do the same.
The opening riff of "Bloody Angel" alone let the audience know which song was about to be played. A beautiful track from Hail The Apocalypse , which, live, becomes even more spectacular than it already was.
The Avatar show didn't feature any lackluster songs, and the band quickly launched into "The Black Waltz," with Eckerström blending guttural vocals with melodic ones.
The band's string section, comprised of bassist Henrik Sandelin and guitarists Tim Öhrström and Jonas Jarlsby, plays a fundamental role in the band's sound, executing some of the best chords I've ever heard live.
The bass lines are powerful and heavy, while the guitar solos and riffs are melodic and precise. But none of this would be possible without John Alfredsson , which ties everything together with true power.
“Tower”, from Hail The Apocalypse (2014), marked a calmer moment in Avatar's show, where the vocalist showcased his impressive low notes, which contrasted beautifully with some higher-pitched passages, in a more intimate song, with him at the piano.
The best song on the setlist was “The Dirt I'm Buried In.” A track from the band's most recent album, it's danceable, phenomenal, and even better live.
Avatar's show was one of the best of the festival and is a great example of good music combined with excellent performance.
Death Angel
On the other side of the Latin America Memorial is the Sun Stage, which hosted Death Angel at 4:30 PM, a time when, thanks to the stage, people were protected from the sun.
While the American thrash metal band was performing on the twin stages, Carcass , but the sound issue wasn't a problem and didn't interfere with the band's show.
One issue with this stage is that it doesn't have a screen, which is a significant drawback for those further back, making it impossible to see the band. Because it's smaller compared to the other two, the structure is quite limited.
Unlike Overkill, Death Angel features vocals by Mark Osegueda , which are easier to understand, something that tends to appeal more to someone who doesn't like the style.
Most of the shows that took place on that stage lasted around an hour, and this one was no different.
This led the band to deliver a show with few pauses, at a fast pace, resulting in a performance with minimal breaks.
Perhaps because of this, it seemed like their show was short, but in reality, several other bands had the same set time; however, with Death Angel, the perception was that the show could have included a few more songs.
Will Carroll 's pulsating drumming , which maintained its power throughout its duration, deserves special mention.
This was the last show of the South American tour, and the band ended with a good performance. The group delivers great guitar riffs and bass lines, but what truly stands out is Carroll's drumming, which is definitely an essential element in the band's tracks.
Another highlight from Death Angel was the song "Mistress of Pain," from the album The Ultra-Violence , released in 1987. Featuring a great solo, the song is also quite powerful.
Our contributor Leca Suzuki captured the shows with exclusive photos that you can see in the gallery below.
