The last weekend of April was one of the most anticipated of the year for Brazilian metalheads. It was on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of April that São Paulo hosted the second edition of the Summer Breeze Festival in the country, and the result of these three days is the certainty that the event has arrived in Brazil to stay.
The festival’s first edition last year raised the bar in the continent’s metal festival structure and production to a very high level, setting an example of how to do things the right way. The most notable change in this year’s edition was adding one more day to make it a three-day festival instead of two. This allowed the organization to highlight more Brazilian and some other South American countries’ metal bands on the small stage, where we discovered many interesting small bands deserving more attention.
Exploring different subgenres of rock and metal, the Brazilian version of the German festival has once again established itself with shows as hot as the temperature on those days – and the biggest proof of it is precisely the fact that the heat seemed to bother the fans little, as they were banging and singing like there’s no tomorrow.
Since there were many good bands that we wanted to see and report about playing almost at the same time, our team had to split up and see each a different band at times.
The festival’s first day kicked off for us with NESTOR. The band is resurging on the wave of class-A Swedish hard rock, and they had the honor to open the second edition of Summer Breeze Brasil 2024 at 11:00 AM. The sun was nearing its peak, reminding us of the heat to come. Even though it was early hours amid Friday’s work routines, NESTOR drew a very nice crowd, who were well entertained by the classy Swedes. The sympathetic frontman Tobias Gustavsson reminded the audience of the band’s history starting in the late ’80s and how things just paused a bit for them because of life events. Now, they are backed by a solid label to push them further, and the results are coming in nicely! And you can never go wrong ending your set with the Whitney Houston classic, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Hard rock lovers, give this band a spin!
CULTURA TRES played on the third stage named the Sun Stage, and at this time of the day, it was well fitting! The band’s sound is very nineties, slightly reminiscent of SEPULTURA, not least because of their bass player, who happens to be Paulo Xisto Jr. They drew a small but devoted crowd to support their show, but maybe it was the sun that was frying the best edge of their energy. On their last album “Camino de Brujas,” released in 2022, they sound powerful, and it’s worth checking out.
From the bands that were scheduled to play early, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM were eagerly awaited guests, playing in Brazil for the first time in their careers. They filled the main stage crowd quite well, transporting them back to the classic ’80s thrash metal era. On stage, we witnessed a band in excellent spirits, eager to offer their audience an unforgettable experience. It was evident how significant this first meeting was for both the band and the audience. Vocalist Eric A.K. Knutson delivered a performance that seemed to draw from his very soul, giving his all despite the blistering heat of 30° Celsius.
The Brazilian alternative metal and rock combo, ELECTRIC MOB, delivered a highly energetic set at the Wave stage, where the audience could enjoy performances from lesser-known bands in the local scene. Hailing from Curitiba, ELECTRIC MOB electrified their audience with their relentless performance. It was captivating to watch, and even in the afternoon heat, they didn’t falter. They commanded the crowd’s attention and left everyone buzzing about their show long after; what a way to seize the moment!
One of the most highly anticipated bands on the lineup was EXODUS, and we were personally thrilled to see them for the first time with Steve Souza. Their album “Tempo Of The Damned” is a metal classic, and Souza‘s work on it is simply commanding. Naturally, classics from the Souza era dominated the setlist, and the audience was captivated throughout. We witnessed a massive circle pit, and at one point, four guys even carried a person in a wheelchair into the midst of the excitement! Goosebump-inducing moments were plentiful, especially during “Deathamphetamine” and “Blacklist.” It’s evident that EXODUS is gradually stepping in to fill the void left by SLAYER. They are undeniably in top live form, and it was an absolute pleasure to witness their performance.
Next up on our schedule was Sebastian Bach. We saw Bach live in 2008, delivering a killer set with that unmistakable voice of his, for which we’re forever grateful. Last year, we witnessed SKID ROW‘s performance at the first edition of this festival, with Erik Grönwall delivering a monstrous performance that brought us to tears during “In A Darkened Room.” Bach kicked off his set with his new song “What Do I Got To Lose” and immediately showcased the prowess of a world-class entertainer. The setlist included all the classics from his SKID ROW years, such as “18 And Life,” “Youth Gone Wild,” and “Monkey Business,” and he exuded the same radiant personality he’s always been known for. In between songs, the audience chanted his Brazilian nickname “Tião” (short for “Sebastião”, the Brazilian translation of Sebastian). He remains a top performer, and while he may have lost some of the power in his voice over the years, he more than makes up for it with his infectious personality. The audience adored him, and he reciprocated their affection.
A brief acapella rendition of “Wasted Time,” dedicated to the Brazilian fans, was moving, but it paled in comparison to what followed. “I Remember You” was, without a doubt, the most anticipated moment of the show, and it lived up to expectations. As one of the most beloved ballads in rock, it undoubtedly touched the hearts of every single fan in the audience.
Years after their last visit to Brazil, MR. BIG comes to the country with its final tour, entitled The Big Finish Tour. Taking the stage at the Ice Stage, the American quartet, known for its virtuosity, opened the setlist explosively with the iconic riff of “Addicted To That Rush” from their debut album “Mr. Big” released in 1989.
One of the most thrilling moments in the setlist, and our personal favorite, “Take Cover,” kicks off with an explosion of drums. This moment is particularly touching, as vocalist Eric Martin recalled, as the song is deeply connected to the late drummer Pat Torpey. The drum solo performed by Nick D’Virgilio did justice to the original.
It goes without saying that it was an unforgettable and emotional show. We sang along with the band to literally every song, as Mr. Big boasts a plethora of great, timeless hits. In “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy,” Paul Gilbert brought out his signature drill machine for the solos, driving the crowd wild with the energy this song exudes. “Alive and Kicking,” another powerful song and my second favorite, followed and ignited the crowd even more. They performed the sensual “My Kinda Woman” as well as romantic ballads like “Just Take My Heart” and “To Be With You.” Eric Martin proved himself to be an absolutely amazing frontman and fantastic singer, getting the entire crowd singing joyously and loudly. Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert mesmerized everyone with their talent and exhilarating solos. It was undoubtedly the highlight of the festival for us as we left with a big smile on our faces and practically no voice left from singing our lungs out.
Back at the Wave stage, the Ecuadorian trio MINIPONY was making waves with their hyper-energetic blend of nu-metal, noise, hardcore, and deathcore. Guitarist/bassist (8-string) Amadeus Galiano was all over the stage, his dreads flying as he moved from the stage up to the PA cabinets, inviting the audience into their madness. Charismatic vocalist and sampler Emilia Moncayo was constantly on the move, leaving a lasting impression with her seamless mix of soft and screaming vocals. All of this was propelled forward by drummer Carlos Sanches, whose performance was equally breathtaking. If you’re into wild metal with noise and hardcore influences, you must check out MINIPONY‘s latest release “Ajna” from 2022.
While walking around the festival site during the day, you could spot many THE 69 EYES‘ shirts, as countless fans had been eagerly awaiting their performance. However, they seemed to encounter some technical issues, causing the show to start 10 minutes later than expected. They were introduced on stage by the famous Brazilian punk rocker SUPLA, who is friends with the band. We heard a story that on their way from the hotel to the festival site, the band’s van was involved in a minor crash because the driver was constantly starstruck, checking out SUPLA in the rearview mirror instead of focusing on driving. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, and the band arrived safely at the site. When the set finally started, it was apparent that there were some sound issues, and after four songs, the band paused the set to address them. This delay lasted about 10 minutes until everything was fixed and they could continue. However, once they resumed, they captivated their audience, and by the end of the set, the chemistry between the band and the crowd was electric. The setlist included some trademark Hellsinki Vampires classics like “The Chair,” “Wasting The Dawn,” “Feel Berlin,” and “The Lost Boys.”
Uncle Gene and his KISS cover band, GENE SIMMONS BAND, headlined the day, delivering a set mainly consisting of KISS‘ songs, along with a couple of other covers like LED ZEPPELIN‘s “Communication Breakdown” and MOTÖRHEAD‘s “Ace of Spades.” They also performed a great rendition of “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” inviting Brazilian pop singer Miranda Kassin to join them on vocals. The set served as a treat for all the KISS fans who may never have the chance to see the original band live again. Undoubtedly, we haven’t seen the last of Mr. Simmons, and we can likely expect many more shows from his house band in the future. On stage, he embodied the Gene Simmons persona that audiences have come to know, occasionally displaying hints of patronizing behavior and subtle touches of toxic masculinity.
The hardcore legends from Brooklyn had the honor of closing the Sun Stage, delivering an intense performance to a pulsating and moshing crowd. Billy Graziadei has a strong connection with Brazil due to his family ties there, so São Paulo welcomed the band as if they were their own. BIOHAZARD shows are an absolute joy to witness due to the energy they bring, which they then feed back into the audience, creating a self-sustaining cycle of intensity. We also had the pleasure of seeing Graziadei throwing himself into the pit while playing guitar. The set kicked off with “Urban Discipline,” followed by “Shades Of Gray.” From the outset, it was evident that the band was hungry to connect with their Brazilian fanbase. The set also featured some mosh-pit favorites such as “Five Blocks To The Subway” and “Down For Life,” as well as their regular cover of BAD RELIGION‘s “We’re Only Gonna Die.” Closing with “Hold My Own,” a palpable sense of gratitude permeated the audience for the unforgettable experience; BIOHAZARD is in prime form!
Written by Fernanda Nunes and Jules Näveri
Photos by Jules Näveri, Fernanda Nunes, and Sara Nunes
