Stress (Brazilian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Brazil |
| Products | Heavy metal music |
Stress is a Brazilian heavy metal group, acknowledged as one of the pioneering metal bands in Brazil and noted for issuing the nation's inaugural heavy metal record, titled Stress.
History
Established in 1974 by future bandmates who met during their school years, Stress holds the distinction of being Brazil's first heavy metal ensemble and the earliest to launch an album. Their initial performances consisted of covers from bands such as Rolling Stones, Nazareth, Sweet, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. The founding members were André Chamon on drums, Leonardo Revenue handling keyboards, Roosevelt Bala as vocalist, Wilson Mota on guitar, and Paulo Lima playing bass. Their debut significant live show took place in 1977.
By 1978, drawing inspiration from groups like Judas Priest, Saxon, and Iron Maiden, they started composing original songs in both English and Portuguese. Responding to audience preferences for comprehensible lyrics, all tracks were eventually translated into Portuguese.
Their first album, Stress (1982), showcased a fast-paced metal style blending speed metal with thrash, traditional heavy metal, and hard rock influences. The album’s themes tackled societal concerns; notably, Stressencefalodrama condemned governmental censorship and torture practices in Brazil. Several tracks experienced modifications in lyrics or titles due to censorship restrictions. The record enjoyed considerable acclaim, with songs like O Oráculo do Judas receiving extensive radio airplay in Rio de Janeiro, enhancing their visibility in the media.
In 1985, Stress released their sophomore album, Flor Atômica, which cemented their cult following within Brazil’s metal community—a scene that later included thrash metal acts such as Mutilator, Atomic, Sepultura, and Sarcofago.
Although they continued performing live shows, the band dissolved in 1987 after unsuccessful attempts to produce a third album.
Reassembling in 1995, Stress delivered Stress III in 1996 featuring fresh compositions. After an extended break, they put out a single-track demo in 2005.
In 2019, the band released their fourth studio album titled Devastação.
Current members
- Roosevelt "Bala" Cavalcante – vocals, bass (1977–present)
- André Lopes Chamon – drums (1977–present)
- Paulo Gui – guitars (1983–present)
Former members
- Pedro Lobão – guitars
- Leonardo Renda – keyboards
- Wilson Motta – bass (1977–1979)
- Pedro Valente – guitars (1977–1983)
- Carlos Reimão – bass (1979–1982)
- J. Bosco – bass (1985–1986)
- Alex Magnum – guitars (1985–1986)
- Rick – bass (1986–?)
- Christian – guitars (1986-?) (deceased)
- Alex Scio – guitar (1988–1989)
- Alex "Xamba" Cotta – bass (1988–1989)
Studio albums
- Stress (1982)
- Flor Atômica (1985)
- Stress III (1996)
- Devastação (2019)
Live albums
- Stress - Ao Vivo! DVD (2007)
- Live 'n' Memory (2009)
Compilation albums
- Amazon, First Metal Attack! (2009)
- Atomic Flower, Brazilian Metal Explosion (2010)