Portugal 80s Metal: October 2011

PARANOIA (Lisboa)

In November 1988, Dave "Mille" vocals/ guitar and Dico "Lombardo" voice/ drums/ second vocals founded Paranóia. The first Portuguese noisecore band! The duo (who chose not to include a bass player) bases its short life in a musical approach without rules, whose sole purpose is to generate the largest possible number of decibels, which proved quite straightforward as the "musicians" do not have the slightest group experience or composition. In fact, not even know how to play or tune their instruments. Two rehersal-tapes, "Paranóia" and "Manicómio" were recorded and released in early 1989 with three weeks apart. Surprisingly, the project sells more than 30 copies of the rehersal-tapes. Being interviewed for the fanzine based in Porto "Culto Urbano" and news in the mythical radio program Lança-Chamas. The core of fans based in Caldas da Rainha becomes legendary when, before a concert start of French band Aggressor at the famous venue Rock Rendez Vouz in Lisbon, the fans in front of the stage began repeatedly yelling "Paranóia, Paranóia" towards the balcony, where the two Paranóia musicians gathered to watch the concert. Without the official end of the project, Dico joins Dinosaur on April 1990. Paranóia never played live. In 2007 a self-edited mini-compilção MP3 "The 'best' of the worst ..." (with the unprecedented "Thrash! 'In the two versions) and the following year two split-tapes with Napalm Noise and Anal Colic were released by the underground French label Underground Polluiton Records.

biography by Dico

DISCOGRAPHY

demo tape "Paranóia" ©1989

demo tape "Manicomio" ©1989

compilation tape "O Melhor do pior de..." ©1989 audio sample

LOW VALLEY

Low Valley, from Lisbon, were a project led by vocalist João Henriques (ex-STS Paranoid, ex-Wild Shadow), in the beginning of the 80s. Intended to bring together the best musicians he knew, João had the help of Orlando Matias guitar and João Carlos Lopes bass (both Atomic Mushrooms/ STS Paranoid), but with the lack of money the project did not go forward. In 1984 João was preparing to play at the 1st Portuguese Heavy Metal festival in Sto António Dos Cavaleiros, with the help of guitarrists Orlando Matias, Beto (João was part of Botas Da Tropa along with Beto, the first band as lead singer around 1980, later would change its name to Sepulcro), João Carlos Lopes bass and Rui drums (Valium), but it never happened, despite appearing at the festival poster. It turned out to be a failure in terms of continuity, which resulted in the departure of João to STS Paranoid a year later. Low Valley was set aside until late 80s when STS Paranoid separated and after performing live with Wild Shadow (replacing vocalist Zé Gomes) at Rock Rendez Vous on February 18th 1990. The line up was completed with ex-Devil Across members: guitarrists Ricardo "Bon" Santos, Fernando Pascoal Martins and drummer Pedro "Rato" Inglês and again with João Carlos Lopes bass.

audio sample I / audio sample II

MEMORABILIA

advert/ ticket 1st Portuguese Heavy Metal Festival, December 15th 1984 (never played)

WREK AGE

Wrek Age were from the island of Ponta Delgada in Açores. Everything started on January 5th 1985 under the name Black Diamond. The first line up was composed by Paulo Jacob drums, Joãp Medeiros guitar, José Manuel bass and João Almeida vocals. With this formation the group won the 1st Communist Youth festival in Ponta Delgada, with the song "O Som da Canção" on March 3rd 1985. A month later the first changes in the band happen: joins Eduardo Pavão solo guitar and Luís Café replaces João Almeida on the vocals. Months later João Almeida reenters and Luís Café leaves. In July 1986, another change in the band, Eduardo Pavão is replaced by Pedro Andrade. On August the group plays 3 gigs in Sabta Maria island. However, Pedro Andrade is forced to join the compulsory military service, giving a sharp stop in the group. With the addition of Zé Medeiros solo guitar in June 1987, there is a shift in the musical direction of the group, in a more heavier sound. The result would be three new songs:: "Life In The Fast Lane", "Anothe Day" and "Dream You To Hell". In March 1988 José Manuel leaves and is replaced by Paulo Melo, giving the band a new lease of life. On May 5th 1988 they change name and Wrek Age was born. During the rest of the year the band opted to close in the rehearsal room composing new songs. In December 1988 Zé Medeiros leaves and reenters again Pedro Andrade. The lead singer João Almeida in 1989 emigrated to the United States, and one month later the group would give their first concert as Wrek Age, Paulo Jacob took over the vocals. On June 1989 Danny Brasil, an emigrant returned from the United States, joins the band as vocalist. Meanwhile Zé Medeiros returns to Wrek Age. On November 24th 1989 the band plays live with the new line up, at the Micaelense Colisseum. The group enter the studio in February 1990 and recorded their first demo tape "I Love It Loud". At an improvised studio and produced by Carlos Frazão (well-known musician from São Miguel island), all 4 tracks were caught and recorded live and at first take. The demo included 4 tracks: "Over `n`Over", "Everybody (Take It)", "All Of Your Love" and "7 Years Burning". A 2nd demo was recorded but never edited. (check also: Chama Eterna/ Metal Kings II Fan-Club)

DISCOGRAPHY

demo tape "We Love It Loud" ©1990 audio sample

VIDEO

Live at Largo do Colégio, Ponta Delgada, Açores 1992

THE OATH

The Oath were from Lisbon. Formed at the second half of the 80s, with Henrique Gomes bass, Angelo Santos guitar, Zé Luís drums José Luís vocals and Luís Lousa guitar. The band played several gigs, all in Lisbon. Appearing first live at the Anjos Secondary School, also at the Dona Luisa de Gusmão Seoundary School and at the traditional Festivities of Lisbon and their last concert at the Feira Popular. The Oath recorded a demo around 1989/90.

DISCOGRAPHY

MEGASIN

Band from Almeirim, Santarém, who was active between 1989 to 1991. Sérgio Mendes drums, João bass, César vocals and José Marques guitar were part of the first line up. Megasin recorded a rehearsal demo in 1989 called "Time To Die".

DISCOGRAPHY

PUTREFACTION

From the same town (Vila Real de Santo António) as Aggressive, came Putrefaction. Formed in the late 80s, the line up consisted of Emílio Salas drums, Carlinhos bass, Ernesto Rodrigues guitar and Luís Neves vocals (ex-Aggressive). Luís is replaced by Orlando Ribeiros in 1990, after just one concert. The group played at the 1st Death Metal Festival - Algarve `91, held in Silves and on April 27th with Sepulchral, Borboleta and Aggressive.

audio sample

VIDEO

"Mother of All Wars" rehearsal 1991

MEMORABILIA

advert Monte Gordo (VRSA), July 13th 1991

AGGRESSIVE

Band from the South of Portugal, Vila Real de Santo António, formed in March 1989. The line up was Luís Neves vocals, Luís guitar, Amilcar bass, Miguel guitar and Paulo Toledo drums. Between July 24th and 25th the group recorded a 8 track demo tape entitled "Dark Soul". Luís Neves in 1990 joins Putrefaction. Luís (guitar) took over the vocals. The group played at the 1st Death Metal Festival - Algarve `91, held in Silves, April 27th with Sepulchral, Borboleta and Putrefaction.

DISCOGRAPHY

VIDEO

Rehearsal 1991