Stress (Brazilian band)

Lore & Background

Stress was formed in the late 1970s after the future members met in a school. Their early career consisted of playing covers of bands such as Rolling Stones, Nazareth, Sweet, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. The original lineup included Chamone Andre on drums, Leonardo 'Reven' on keyboards, Roosevelt Bala as singer, Wilson Mota on guitar, and Paulo Lima on bass. Their first concert, omitting school anniversary performances, occurred in 1977.

In 1978 the band began working on original material under the influence of Judas Priest, Saxon, and Iron Maiden, initially singing in both English and Portuguese. Due to fan demand for understandable lyrics, all lyrics were rewritten in Portuguese. Their debut album Stress was released in 1982, featuring a heavy brand of speed metal bordering on thrash metal, with hard rock influences. The album addressed social issues, notably the song Stressencefalodrama denouncing censorship and torture by the Brazilian government. Many songs required lyric or title changes due to censorship.

Their second album Flor Atômica was released in 1985, consolidating their cult status in the Brazilian metal scene. The song O Oráculo do Judas from that album became a radio success in Rio de Janeiro. After continued concerts but no further album, the band disbanded in 1986. They reunited in 1995 and released Stress III in 1996. After a nine-year gap, they released a demo with one new song in 2005. Their fourth full-length album, Devastação, was released in 2019.

Reader's Guide

Stress holds a foundational place in Brazilian heavy metal history as the first band from the country to release a heavy metal album. Their 1982 self-titled debut is considered the first Brazilian heavy metal album, predating the later thrash metal dominance of bands like Sepultura and Sarcofago. The band's early work blended speed metal with thrash and hard rock, and their lyrics engaged with political issues such as government censorship and torture, reflecting the repressive context of Brazil's military dictatorship. Despite disbanding in 1987, their reunion in the mid-1990s and continued activity into the 2010s demonstrates lasting influence. Their legacy is tied to pioneering a national metal sound and inspiring subsequent generations of Brazilian metal musicians.

Did You Know?

• Stress recorded what is considered the first Brazilian heavy metal album, Stress, released in 1982.
• The song Stressencefalodrama denounced the Brazilian government's policy of censorship and torture.
• The band originally sang in both English and Portuguese but rewrote all lyrics in Portuguese due to fan demand.
• Stress disbanded in 1986 but reunited in 1995 and released Stress III in 1996.