The Vowers were from Peso da Régua, Lamego. Formed around 1987, the band goes through several line ups and in 1989 only 3 original members remained, Pedro Carvalho vocals, Luís Esteves lead guitar and Miguel Teixeira bass. In late 1989 with the entry of Serafim Carvalho drums and Miguel Jesus rhythm guitar the line-up stabilized. The track "Motorbreath" was officially released by MTM records in the "The Birth of a Tragedy" compilation album 1992.
Xeque-Mate formed in 1979, in Porto. Francisco Soares vocals, António Soares guitar, Aurélio Santos bass and Joaquim Fernandes drums were the original line up. After several months of rehearsing the band goes to Lisbon, to record a 6 track demo at the Arnaldo Trindade studios. From the 6 tracks were extracted "Vampiro Da Uva" and "Entornei o Molho", to be released as a single in May 1981, through the label Metro-Som. The single got good ratings in the national charts. Followed by several live performances and a appearance on national TV RTP2. They participated on the Grande Maratona do Rock Português (Great Marathon of the Portuguese Rock), along with Jarojupe, Bico d`Obra, NZZN, TNT and many others. The 3 days marathon was organized by the former newspaper Musicalíssimo, between December 18th and 20th 1981 at the Pavilhão do Cevadeiro, in Vila Franca De Xira. Two years later, Aurélio Santos leaves the group, due to incompatibility, José Queirós replaces him. The band heads again to Lisbon, where they entered the Angel studios. On their own and with the help of Álvaro Azevedo, they recorded and mastered in just a week about 15 songs. Xeque-Mate makes several attempts on all labels for the purpose of releasing their first long playing. Meanwhile Paulo Barros (Tarântula) joins the group as second guitar only to reinforce the band live.Xeque Meta opens for British bands Diamond Head and Vardis on May 12th 1984 at the Pavillion Infante Sagres, Porto. On December 15th 1984, they perform at the very first Portuguese Heavy Metal Festival, in Santo Antonio dos Cavaleiros, along with Mac Zac, STS Paranoid, Sepulcro and others. In the following year the album "Em Nome do Pai, do Filho... e do Rock`n`Roll" is finally released, through Horizonte Records. At the beginning of 1986 Kim replaces Joaquim Fernandes on drums and Paulo Barros steps out for his band Tarântula. In April 25th 1986 Xeque performed live at the Rock Rendez Vous, introducing a keyboardist in the band. They split up in 1989. Xeque-Mate meet again in 2007 for a reunion show... and they still playing live.
From Lisbon came Devil Across, formed in 1981 by guitarrists Ricardo "Bon" Santos and Fernando Pascoal Martins. In 1983 Pedro "Rato" Inglês drums joins the group and finally in early 1987 joins two new members, Pedro "Balto" Batalha bass and Carlos Ramalhete vocals. Songs like "Defenders Of The Metal", "King of The Bubbles", "Metal Attack", "You´ll Die", "Lisbon Night", "Love`s Curse", "Stand To Suffer", "Alju Battle", "Guards of Hell", "Rise" and "You`ve Got Love On Me" were part of the reportoire. Devil Across entered to a studio and recorded a demo in 1987. In April 3rd 1987 Devil Across played live for the 1st time, at Rock Rendez Vous, Lisbon. They were one of eight bands, together with Navan, Tarantula, STS Paranoid, Procyon, Blizzard, Satan`s Saints and Black Cross, to entered the sessions for the first Heavy Metal double album, live at the Rock Rendez Vous in 1987, but that never materialized. The live recording of the gig was in June 20th 1987. Balto leaves the group in 1988.
