Portugal 80s Metal

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

AGON

Agon were a band from the Lisbon area, formed in 1986. The line up consisted in Rui M. Leal guitar, João Borges vocals, Ricardo Lopes bass. They played live at the lyceum in Queluz around 1987, and at the Parque Central in Amadora months later... Agon recorded several tracks.

RAMP

Ramp were formed at the end of 1988. The name Ramp was the joining of the members own initials: Ricardo Mendonça guitar, António José guitar, Miguel bass and Paulo drums. Ricardo Mendonça invites Rui Duarte, an old school friend, to take on the role of vocalist. From that moment on, hours and hours were spent in a friend’s garage rehearsing and composing. Their effort would soon pay off, when they went on stage for the very first time. It took place in Fogueteiro, on September 16th 1989, along with The Coven and Mortifera (farewell concert). After the gig they realized that certain things were wrong, including the bass player. So Miguel is replaced by Ricardo (João Saps) ex-Mortifera. For the 2nd gig, Ramp played with Braindead at the Rock Rendez Vous, Lisbon, February 11th 1990. The show captured the media and critics attention due to Ramp’s mind blowing music and passionate performance. Motivated by the excellent reviews of their live shows and a constantly growing public demand, they focused their efforts for what would be their first recording, a demo tape. The 5 track demo was recorded at Heaven Sound Studios, Almada. With the demo ready, although the band was not totally satisfied with the results, they decided not to commercialize it, thus reserving it for promotional purposes and business card for the labels, with the possibility of signing a contract. The band received offers from several labels, but chose to sign with the multi national Polygram Discos. Carlos Maria Trindade from the label, chooses as producers Rui Fadigas, Jorge Quadros (bassist and drummer from the pop/ rock band Delfins) and Mastern Bailey, Ramp enters the Exit Studios located in Lisbon, in September 1991. The result was "Thoughts" a 6 track mini-LP which is released in the beginning of 1992. Featuring "The Comediants", "Disillusions", "March to Death", "Thoughts", "The Last Child" and "Try Again" (Spermbirds cover). The release party took place at Johnny Guitar, Lisbon, in February 28th 1992. Three video-clips arose from the album: "Try Again", "The Last Child" and "Thoughts".

In March 28th 1992 Ramp opens for brasilian band Sepultura at the pavilion Dramático de Cascais. After several concerts in the Lisbon area, Ramp arrive at the north of the country, playing in Porto on April 17th at the pavilion Infante Sagres, with W.C Noise and Censurados. The EP "Thoughts" is released in CD format with 3 new songs. "In The Beginning", "Out of This World" and "Behind The Wall". Recorded again at Exit Studios on August 1992, produced by Mastern Bailey. The group embarks on a national tour playing all over the country and several appearances on TV. In 1995 the independent label União Lisboa released Ramp’s second album “Intersection”. 11 tracks recorded at 1 Só Céu Studios, Cascais, between March/ April 1995, produced again by Mastern Bailey. As a result, the record stormed the Portuguese sales sharts, something that never happened before to a Portuguese Metal band, and got extensive video play with “All Men Taste Hell”, their first single and video. But Ramp also harvested, throughout the world, excellent reviews and media coverage such as in Burn and Madball magazines in Japan, Metal Head and Rock Brigade in Brazil or Mindview and Hard Force in Belgium. Another tour to promote the album takes place and Ramp plays at several important festivals. Their 3rd work "E.D.R. (Evolution, Devolution, Revolution)" was recorded in Nottingham, England, in the Square Studios and was produced by Simon Efemey. It was released in late 1998, showing a much solid Ramp with an astonishing ability to create great songs. ”Hallelujah” and “Old times” were the chosen video-clips and ”For a While” became a radio hit, featuring in the Top Ten of Radio Comercial, one of the biggest Portuguese National Broadcasting Radios. "Revolution on Tour" was also a success, reaching its highest point with the recording of a live album (the first of its kind for a Portuguese Metal band). The double album "Ramp...Live" was released in late 1999. It gathers 18 tracks of their three original albums and it was recorded on their 10th year celebration show, from which they took footage that would be later used for the “How” video-clip.

In a 20 year career Ramp had the opportunity to play as opening act of international artists such as Motorhead, Metallica, Alice Cooper, Sepultura, Angra, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Manowar, Paradise Lost...

DISCOGRAPHY