Vertebra came to life into the Brazilian underground music scene in the mid 1990s. There, they captured hearts with some powerful live performances, their unquestionable integrity and remarkable music… Indeed, a progressively minded blend of death and thrash metal with an inherent sense of melody. A single track demo, Humanity, came out in 1995 and a further demo recorded but not released before the band imploded, driven apart by the often overwhelming pressures of daily life.
However, those recordings were not in vain. During the turbulent period of the pandemic, Vertebra’s founder, guitarist and vocalist Arildo Leal, felt the drive to create once again. Thus, four of those old demo tracks would be the starting point for rebuilding the foundations of Vertebra. Now the band is back with their so long awaited full-length debut album, the fulfilment of all that early promise, The Same.
About the debut album
The Same opens with the explosive Oblivion, a hard-edged thrasher with a sharp, authentic sound that wastes no time in unveiling the fantastic technical ability that the whole of Vertebra have at their disposal. The instinctive, free-flowing interplay between bass and drums, the meticulous precision of the riffs, the dazzling solos are all there, dancing around the snarled vocals, delivered with a palpable passion and intent. Even more impressive though, is Vertebra’s masterful songcraft, the manner in which they use their abilities to sculpt exciting, addictive, sleekly structured songs.
Be it the powerful, free-willed and exploratory first single, Behavior In The Eyes, the outstanding melodies and solos of 95 Eyes or the bustling riffs that open out into spacious vistas of Fanatic And Picturesque, there is so much to explore throughout this incredible album. Undoubtedly, rarely is music so heavy yet so elegant, so intricate but so memorable and immersive. This is extreme metal at its most engaging, complex and accomplished.
About the band
Vertebra is a band driven by conviction and absolute belief in their music. This return is not based on nostalgia for the halcyon days of youth, but on a need to express their creativity and their individuality. Also, to take a stand for individuality in a wider sense, in a world becoming ever more apathetic and homogenized. This band still has a lot to say and a lot to offer. When Xtreem Music releases The Same on July 29th, on CD (with bonus track) and digital formats they will blaze a path through the metal underground that will be impossible to ignore.
Lineup:
Arildo Leal – Guitars/Vocals
Tiago Vargas – Bass/Vocals
Cristiano Hulk – Drums
Fernando Luzardo – Guitars
