Korzus is a Brazilian
thrash metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...
band formed in
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
in 1983.
They are one of the first bands of the
Brazilian thrash metal
Brazilian thrash metal is a musical movement that originated in the 1980s. Though not as large or well known as the North American or European thrash metal movements, it bridged the gap of the mid-1980s and the death metal scene later in the dec ...
scene, along with bands like
Sarcófago
Sarcófago was a Brazilian extreme metal band formed in 1985. They were fronted by Sepultura's original singer, Wagner Lamounier, and Geraldo Minelli.
The front cover of the band's debut album, ''I.N.R.I. (Sarcófago album), I.N.R.I.'', is reg ...
and
Sepultura
Sepultura (, "grave")Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17. is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Formed in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera,Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16. the band was a major force in the groove metal, thra ...
. Their first release was issued in the seminal metal compilation called ''SP Metal'' on
Baratos Afins
Baratos Afins is a long-established Brazilian record label and store, based in São Paulo city.
Baratos Afins is an indie record label operating in São Paulo City, Brazil. It was founded by Luiz Calanca in 1978, first as a record shop and late ...
label in 1985.
They changed the lineup a lot of times since the birth of the band, but three members, Marcello Pompeu (on vocals), Silvio Golfetti (on guitars) and Dick (on bass guitar) remained. The classic lineup of the band (1988–1992) was Marcello Pompeu (vocals), Silvio Golfetti (guitars), Marcelo Nicastro (guitars), Dick (bass) and Roberto Betão Sileci (drums, replacing Zema who committed
suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...
in 1987).
History
Early days
Lacking the funds to record a studio album, their debut album, which was released in 1986 consisted of a collection of
live recordings. A year later they released their first studio album called ''Sonho Maníaco''.
Around that time, Silvio Golfetti played guitars for the L.A.
speed metal
Speed metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) roots.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' (Berg Publishers, 2007), , p. 31. It ...
band
Agent Steel
Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1984 by vocalist John Cyriis with drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for Cyriis' hi ...
for a short time in 1987, because he was a friend of John Cyriis, vocalist of
Agent Steel
Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1984 by vocalist John Cyriis with drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for Cyriis' hi ...
and born in Brazil. He temporarily played guitars for Sepultura at the time when
Andreas Kisser
Andreas Rudolf Kisser (; born 24 August 1968) is a Brazilian musician, best known for being the lead guitarist for the metal band Sepultura. He has been featured on every Sepultura release since their second album, ''Schizophrenia''. Additionally, ...
was unable to play due to an arm injury.
In 1989, they changed their sound a little, going more in a direction of
Bay Area thrash, and released the EP ''Pay For Your Lies'', featuring a cover of
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath were an English rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy met ...
's "Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes". During that period Korzus became a major metal band in Brazil; they even struck a friendship with their idol,
Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
racer
Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna da Silva (; 21 March 1960 – 1 May 1994) was a Brazilian racing driver who won the Formula One List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions, World Drivers' Championship in , , and . Senna is one of three Formula One drivers fro ...
.
1990s
In 1991, Korzus released their breakthrough album ''Mass Illusion''. With production of Roger Moreira (vocalist/founder of the Brazilian rock band Ultraje A Rigor) the band gained more attention outside Brazil. A videoclip for the song "Agony" was made, and it received heavy air play on ''Furia Metal'' (a Brazilian version of
MTV's ''Headbangers Ball'').
Drummer Beto Silesci and the guitarist Marcello Nicastro left the band, as each one pursued their own projects (Beto Silesci formed a band with his wife and tried the drums in the
hardcore
Hardcore, hard core or hard-core may refer to:
Arts and media Film
* ''Hardcore'' (1977 film), a British comedy film
* ''Hardcore'' (1979 film), an American crime drama film starring George C Scott
* ''Hardcore'' (2001 film), a British documen ...
band
Ratos de Porão
Ratos de Porão (Portuguese for "Basement Rats") is a Brazilian crossover thrash band from São Paulo. They were formed in 1981, toured South America, North America, Asia and Europe, and still continue to play today. Their core lineup of João G ...
; Marcello Nicastro became a well-known player of ''cavaquinho'' – a short four-string guitar used to play
samba
Samba (), also known as samba urbano carioca (''urban Carioca samba'') or simply samba carioca (''Carioca samba''), is a Brazilian music genre that originated in the Afro-Brazilian communities of Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century. Havin ...
).
After the departure of Beto Sileci and Marcello Nicastro, the band started to try an audience out of Brazil, due to the success of Sepultura.
They recruited a guitarist called Soldado and a drummer called Fernando Schaefer and recorded in 1994 the album ''KZS''. The band was musically fitting with the 90s
New York hardcore
New York hardcore (also known as NYHC) is both the hardcore punk music created in New York City and the subculture and lifestyle (sociology), lifestyle associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Wa ...
sound of bands such as
Madball
Madball is an American New York hardcore band formed in New York City, that originated in the late 1980s as a side project of Agnostic Front. The band developed after Agnostic Front's front man Roger Miret would let his younger half-brother Fr ...
and
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1986 in Queens, New York City. The band's lineup consists of brothers Lou and Pete Koller on lead vocals and guitars respectively, Armand Majidi on drums, and Craig Setari on bass. Sick ...
. On tour they played in the States with
Biohazard
A biological hazard, or biohazard, is a biological substance that poses a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans. This could include a sample of a microorganism, virus or toxin that can adversely affect human health. A bioh ...
and
S.O.D.
After two years, Soldado and Fernando Schaefer left the band (Fernando Schaefer became a drummer for several Brazilian bands like Treta, Pavilhão9, Rodox,
Kiko Loureiro
Pedro Henrique "Kiko" Loureiro (born 16 June 1972) is a Brazilian guitarist. He has been a member of several heavy metal bands, including Angra and Megadeth.
Career
Loureiro began studying music and playing acoustic guitar at age 11. He studie ...
, and recently Endrah), and to replace them, they hired Heros Trench for the guitar post and Rodrigo Oliveira as the drummer.
This lineup recorded a live CD at the Brazilian edition of the
Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock was an annual hard rock and heavy metal music festival held in Castle Donington, England, from 1980 to 1996, taking place every year except 1989 and 1993. It later branched into other locations such as the Netherlands, Poland, ...
festival in 1998 and in 2004 they released the album ''Ties Of Blood''.
Present
Korzus has a new formation, which includes Antônio Araújo as the new guitar player (replacing Silvio Golfetti). In 2010 the band released a new album, entitled ''Discipline of Hate'' by German label AFM Records.
Discography
* ''Korzus Live'' (1985)
* ''Sonho Maníaco'' (1987)
* ''Pay For Your Lies'' (1989)
* ''Mass Illusion'' (1991)
* ''KZS'' (1994)
* ''Live At Monsters Of Rock'' (1998)
* ''Ties Of Blood'' (2004)
* ''Discipline of Hate'' (2010)
* ''Legion'' (2014)
References
{{Authority control
Brazilian thrash metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1983
Musical groups from São Paulo
Musical quintets
1983 establishments in Brazil