Portugal 80s Metal: BLIZZARD

Heavy Metal band from Algés, Lisbon formed in 1983. It was considered a reference in its genre by the impact of their concerts, fireworks displays and for their shocking and unforgettable live performances. First line up was Pedro Sousa vocals/ bass, Luís Marques (Bola) guitar, Luís Filipe guitar and Pedro Barroso drums. With this line up Blizzard played live for the first time around 1983 at a private party. "Mercado Negro", "Só Tu" were part of their repertory, sung in Portuguese. They eventually win the Festival de Verão in Paço D´Arcos with the song "Mercado Negro". The 2nd line up was Paulo Boto vocals, Ilídio Praia drums, Pedro Azevedo bass and guitarrists Luís Filipe and Luís Marques (Bola) and Fernando Pires keyboards. In early 1987 Luís Marques (Bola), Ilídio Praia and Pedro Azevedo leaved the band in order to transition to another project. With a 3rd line up, consisted in Paulo Boto vocals, Luís Filipe and Luís Moreno guitars, Pedro Santos drums and Rui bass they recorded a 6 track demo which included "Blondie One", "Tormentor", "Angels Retiring", "Back To Hell", "Metal Advice" and "Time To Rock". Blizzard were one of eight bands, together with Tarantula, STS Paranoid, Procyon, Navan, Satan`s Saints, Devil Across and Black Cross, to entered the sessions for the first Heavy Metal double album, live at the Rock Rendez Vous in June 27th 1987, but that never materialized. They split in 1988. Blizzard met in 2006 for a single concert, 20 years later, with the presence of a considerable number of fans, friends and guests, the line up was: Paulo Boto vocals, Ilídio Praia drums, Pedro Azevedo bass and guitarrists Luís Filipe and Luís Marques (Bola).

thanks to Luís Marques (Bola)