It’s hard to break out of the immediate association of Sepultura when thinking about Brazilian metal. Yet, Sepultura are currently wrapping up their breakup tour, so it’s time a new group takes the throne.
My premiere nomination would be the rising death-groove metal force – Claustrofobia.
Arising from São Paulo, brothers Marcus and Caio D’Angelo are joined by bassist Rafael Yamada for Motörhead speeds of groovy, thrashy, death metal. “Stronger Than Faith” is easily their best new single (from the recent Unleeched album), but dive deeper to their Peste magnum opus for Soulfly–Gojira intensity.
Claustrofobia actually just wrapped up a year full of live shows including at Ruinfest with Skeletal Remain and Voices of Ruin as well as a North American runn supporting Obituary, Agnostic Front, and… Sepultura!
While still in their up-and-coming stage, Oráculo Delfos are absolutely mind-blowing, representing the central Brazilian city of Sinop, Mato Grosso. New track “Crawling in the Abyss” is next evolution of Lamb of God‘s groove-thrash amalgamation. Hey labels, sign this band! Oráculo Delfos needs to be touring alongside Mastodon and Helms Alee immediately.