System of a Down , in their first time in Curitiba, will definitely go down in the history of concerts in the capital. On the night of Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Armenian-American band from Los Angeles made the Couto Pereira Stadium, at maximum capacity, dance, jump, cry and scream, all these emotions mixed together in approximately two hours of show.
Furthermore, for those who had already witnessed a large musical event at the venue, it was clear from the start of the day that this was no ordinary Tuesday. Early in the morning, many System of a Down fans were already in line, the atmosphere of excitement spreading throughout the city, even altering traffic, public transport routes, and the routines of those who held the coveted 'golden ticket' in hand.
First of all, it's worth mentioning that the organization and logistics of the event were very well planned. There was a large number of security guards, civilian firefighters, and staff guiding the public. However, the number of people who became ill during the event was also surprising and kept the team busy.
Ego Kill Talent provides eye candy to start the evening.
The Brazilian band Ego Kill Talent took the stage on schedule to a packed house and attentive audience. Finally, the curiosity of many was satisfied: why was the band opening for so many internationally renowned artists? The answer was clear: the band's talent, skill, and charisma. They started with the famous "We Move as One" to ignite the crowd. Despite the quality of the music, a certain apprehension was still visible in the musicians' eyes, after all, controversies always surround the band. But as the setlist progressed, they showed self-confidence and empathy.
Furthermore, it was impossible not to notice the stage presence of the new bassist Cris Botarelli , who, along with Miguel Boaventura Jr. , Theo van der Loo , and Raphael Miranda, delivered a perfect sound with great chemistry between them.
Around the middle of the show, vocalist Emmily Barreto, concerned for the audience, asked for a pause during "Never Fading Light" so that firefighters could attend to someone feeling unwell in the crowd. She also asked the audience to let her know if anyone needed medical attention again. The songs "Call Us by Her Name," "Reflecting Love," and "Last Ride" were performed with great audience participation. But despite witnessing a great show, many anxious faces seemed eager for Ego Kill Talent to finish their set.
However, for those who hadn't yet seen the band live, it was a great experience, leaving them wanting more. Ego Kill Talent certainly gained many new fans with this performance. May there be many more shows like this.
System of a Down: The wait has become reality.
Finally, after ten years of waiting, the time has come, System of a Down takes the stage, very discreetly, it must be said. So much so that on the right side of the stage, it took a while to notice all the members already positioned for the start of the performance.
With thanks and a kiss thrown to the audience, that's how Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian , and John Dolmayan started their show in Curitiba. The first song of the night was "Attack," from the 2005 album Hypnotize , followed immediately by "Suite-Pee" and "Prison Song."
At the start of the show, it was already noticeable that the audience was quite agitated, resulting in the first aid being provided by the firefighters, and there were quite a few. People were constantly being carried away on stretchers, wheelchairs, or even supported by security guards, all taken to the on-site medical clinic. Despite the cold day in the city, perhaps the anxiety, the crowding, and in some cases the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages ended the dream of some in just a few minutes.
Meanwhile, the show on stage continued at full speed, with occasional pauses for guitarist Daron to chat and joke with the audience. With his unmistakable rhythm on vocals and strings, he even risked a playful hum, singing a snippet of "Every Breath You Take" by The Police , before returning with all the heaviness of SOAD (the famous abbreviation for the band's name). Vocalist Serj Tankian remained more reserved, though always very friendly.
Following the band's introductions, also presented by Daron Malakian, came the wonderful "Aerials" and the highly anticipated "IEAIAIO," some of the highlights of the night. Furthermore, the setlist included more than 30 songs, encompassing the band's main career hits. The WAKE UP! definitely aimed to be grand and did not disappoint on its first date in Brazil. "ADD (American Dream Denial)," "Soldier Side," "BYOB," and others were all included.
The incredible moments of the night
Finally, after so many successes, came the icing on the cake, with the performance of "Chop Suey," which left those present in collective hypnosis, unsure if it was really happening. Many fans shed tears, others were more restrained, and still others were more agitated, participating in the many mosh pits scattered throughout the stadium. It is worth noting that the images shared on social media during the show gave a sense of the people's excitement and the distress of the rescue team in extinguishing the famous 'flares' scattered among the more daring fans.
But the moment where everything happens is during the opening chords of "Toxicity," followed by vocalist Serj Tankian asking the audience for the famous spins, or mosh pits. In the case of Curitiba, such euphoria from the audience and musical expression in one place had never been seen before. The nearly forty thousand people, counted by the event's production, simply jumped, sang, and vibrated in unison. A moment to go down in the history of shows in the capital of Paraná, and also in the memory of those who were there. Thank you, System of a Down!
Our contributor Vladimir Silverio was at the show and captured the evening with exclusive photos. Check out the photo gallery below:
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