"Quiero con las lágrimas de mi corazón, con el macabro tin-tin de mis cadenas, con los aullidos
de agonía que en mi alaza repercuten de compañeros en tormento, quiero con los hediondos
harapos que muestran mis carnes flageladas, mis huesos empielados; quiero con el montón
de excrementos que en mi fosa me asfixian, hacer de este panfleto la más asquerosa protesta
que un rebelde rememorando sus tormentos, puede forjar".
Biófilo Panclasta
1) A brief and general introduction to this chapter
Coucou, les chaton.ne.s! We're back with the third part of our current special post, "La Carencia", which tries to compile the historical evolution of the screamo subgenre in LATAM. Guess what? We're on the halfway. Hooray! Anyways, just like the second part, these countries really didn't have a "solid screamo scene" compared to other countries like Argentina or Chile. In fact, most of these ones are currently experiencing a some sort of blooming since many screamo-related bands are ocassionally appearing day by day within their respective hardcore/punk spaces. It also is true that, just like the case of Mexico, the misconceptions and misunderstandings of what really emo was or not arose and during years anything related to it was clearly despised by more "traditional" underground spaces (even by violent means). The popularity of mid-00s metalcore, post-hardcore and pop punk bands signed to different record labels such as Victory, Ferret and Epitaph, for naming a few, really did hurt the whole emo subgenre back in the days...
Now, among all the featured countries, the only one with a more "solid screamo scene" is Peru. Indeed, when the latin american screamo "boom" appeared in countries like Mexico, Chile and Argentina, the peruvian scene wasn't really behind them at all and produced great record labels, fests and musical outfits that you will either remember or even discover in the next paragraphs. They aren't that active as we'd wish right now, but there are some uprising surprises though. Another country that experienced a fairly "solid screamo scene" is Brazil. Even though brazilian hardcore scene has had a more d-beat-influenced tradition, Saddest Day, one of the first emo-related bands in the region, was born there. Some years later, cities like Curitiba and Brasilia spawned some interesting short-lived screamo-related acts at the same time as some other acts in LATAM were blooming. Sadly, these bands from Brazil were ecplised and overshadowed by other more renowned acts in Mexico and Chile, for example. And, finally, just like the peruvian case, there aren't too many bands from the país carioca right now but, oh dude/tte, they're cool as fuck.
Likewise, I know many of my readers would ask: And Colombia? Well, in general terms, some early and mid-00s, surprisingly underground, metalcore, post-hardcore and pop punk did experiment emulating the sound of the big "emo" bands that were trend back in the days with fairly commercial success in some spaces outside the hardcore/punk realm. Those musical outfits, for obvious reasons, won't be featured here. However, with the rise of the crust and powerviolence subgenres within the local hc/punk spectrum, some other short-lived screamo musical projects appeared with a more experimental approach, pretty much like mexican outfits such as Archadianonstabian or Zarathustra Has Been Killed In The 70s. The musical outfits that currently are leading the torch here in the country are, in fact, spiritual successors to some of these acts (to some extent). And, as you can imagine, there aren't that many because here the subgenre isn't popular yet.
Last but not least, I couldn't find too many screamo-related bands in Ecuador and Venezuela. On one hand, since Ecuador is a small country the local hardcore/punk scene is not that big as well and they're more into other hardcore styles and not precisely emo-related ones. It seems that the only bands I could find are far more popular outside their country. Weird. This logic also applies to the cases of Uruguay and Puerto Rico. And, on the other hand, due to the current social, economic and political panorama in Venezuela, many hardcore pvnx have quitted their native country and have made hardcore bands in exile and, yes, not precisely emo or screamo-related ones. Luckily, there's been a few exceptions in the whole evolution of hardcore punk subgenre in the country that will be featured here.
Finally, just like I announced in the previous chapter of this humble special post, if you happen to know other bands from these countires that I missed, you can let me know in the comments section below and I'll make an additional entry featuring them. So, with all that written, let's begin.
2) Colombia
Incendiariat
During many, many years, this Bogotá-based band was the only "true" screamo reference we've got here in Colombia. Trust me, I really am serious about such statement...They approximately started in 200x and were active until 2018, the year when the band entered on "indefinite hiatus" after their vocalist pursued to make come true dreams living abroad. During their lifespan, they only released Retratos E Historias EP, split with colombian neocrust outfit Amor Y Rabia, (2013), Parto y Desastre LP (2015) and Maher Shalal Hash Basz LP (2018). Regarding their sound, Incendiariat started playing screamo influenced by german emoviolence bands such as Louise Cyphre and June Paik but quickly started adding into their repertory more alien elements such as drone, ambient and even post-metal for creating thus an unique and personal style, which is pretty difficult to compare it with other things out there. The lyrics also had pretty complex and abstract stances (both personal and political) influenced by critical theory and post-left schools of thinking (You know, sorta like Orchid) but with some references to our local social, political and economic bouleversé context (notably in Parto and Desastre record). Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Will we ever see them again on stage? I certainly hope so. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Amor y Rabia
Amor y Rabia was active somewhere between 2010 and 2017 and during their lifespan, they only released one contributed track to Distort Colombia compilation (2011), Trastornos Compartidos, split with spanish anarchist rap act Folie à Trois (2012), Relatos E Historias, split with Incendiariat (2013), and split with Renkore, a colombian crust/hardcore band, (2017). All these records have been published here in the blog, so you can look for them if you want to know more about this band. This band appeared, you know, back in the days when here in Colombia the crust punk and d-beat subgenres started to rise and have some protagonism that, either for good or not, changed everything inside our hardcore/punk community. Unlike those then newborn acts, Amor Y Rabia was more into gallician neocrust in the same vein as Ekkaia and Hongo, and eventually, they did add some screamo elements into their repertory. I'll never forget when they described themselves as an "emo d-beat band". Such a bold yet precise statement and probably the reason why I featured them in this entry ha ha. And, of course, their lyrics were pretty well written with both personal and political stances about different topics such as anarchism, (in)human condition, inner conflict, political apathy, homosexuality and more. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Vorágine
Vorágine started as a melodic hardcore punk band under the name of V.E.I. They oficially didn't release anything until they changed their line-up (which also is the current one) and their name to Vorágine (Vortex in spanish). This name shift also meant a musical evolution since they started adding screamo, post-hardcore, post-rock and dark ambient elements into their repertory with more mature content and politically-charged lyrics as well. With their more recent LP entitled Aquelarre, which also was our best colombian hardcore punk in 2018, the band went more "savage" incorporating post-black metal and even shoegaze elements. This also made them gain some reputation in other non-hardcore punk circles beacuse, for example, they were the opening act for Alcest from France in 2018. Cool. They currently are working on new material, which apparently will be more post-black metal-oriented than ever but, don't worry, the screamo spirit is still there. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
⌂ (alt+127) AKA "alt127" or simply "Casita" (Little Home)
⌂ (alt+127) AKA "alt127" or simply "Casita" (Little Home) was a short-lived experimental hardcore band that existed between 2012 and 2014. It featured ex and current members of other local hardcore bands such as Hatröss, Pütchi, Amor Y Rabia, Muro, El Maquinista and Empatía, among others. The band described their style as "experimental w e e d c o r e" and they mixed different musical styles such as screamo, post-hardcore, post-rock, ambient, sludge and much more for creating an unique musical style with +3 minutes long tracks with lots of distortion, noise, fuzz and screamed vocals about nothing and everything at the very same time. Such a goddamn trip. Enjoyable though ha ha. They never officially released an EP or LP but one of their songs entitled El Escuadrijón was featured in the second volume of Todas Las Fronteras Son Imaginarias compilation (2013). There are other unassorted tracks on their official bandcamp that could potentially be on a record but, for strange reasons, it never happened. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Ximena! Tenemos Que Hablar
Ximena! Tenemos Que Hablar (from now on X!TQH) was a relatively short-lived band that existed between 2014 and 2017 that only self-released one digital-only self-titled LP in 2017. (It also was featured in our best picks list of that year). Regarding the sound, X!TQH plays post-rock-influenced screamo à la Envy or Heaven In Her Arms (Japan) with +3 minute long tracks, slow and fast-paced tempo changes, "epic" introspective and heartbreaking interludes with lyrics making references to Neon Genesis Evangelion. There's some slight post-black metal aura as well. What else could you ask for? And, as I stated before, if you know the local hardcore/punk community you may know who Ximena is. Ha! Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. I've been told that a physical edition could be released anytime soon, so I'll let you know if it happens. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
La Traición De Las Masas
From Rionegro, Antioquia, La Traición De Las Masas (from now on LTDLM) is a hardcore punk band featuring ex and current members of Silencio Asesino, Ruda, Horrible Rabia Homicida, Devenir, Mar Es, Crear Puentes, Llueve En La Montaña and more that has been active since 2014 and only have officially released Cifras, Cadáveres y Mentiras live session demo (2014), one 3-way split with Sosiego (Chile) and Aurea (Venezuela) and one self-titled EP (2015). Regarding their sound, LTDLM draws influences from different subgenres such as crust punk and screamo mostly, pretty much like a cross-pollination between Shikari (Netherlands) and SL'S3 (Gallicia, Spain). Also, their lyrics are politically-charged dealing with issues such as the fatal consequences of the inner armed conflict in Colombia (social unequality, state abandonement, misery, etc.), class struggle, capitalism and much more. I think not many people have been aware of their screamo influences because during many years have been labeled simply as crust. Interesting. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Their demo is missing but you can find some unassorted tracks on YouTube. I hope they release more material in the near future. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
El Sonido De Los Árboles
Pereira is a small colombian city whose hardcore/punk scene gives us de temps en temps some great yet ephemeral musical projects. This sadly was the case of El Sonido De Los Árboles (from now on ESDLA). During their lifespan, they only released one demo (2015), Antíthesis EP (2017) and Conflagrar / Deconstruir live session (2018). Regarding their sound, ESDLA had a really experimental approach mixing different musical styles and genres such as ambient, alternative rock, post-rock, math rock and post-hardcore with very abstract and personal stances. Some lyrics are kinda depressive and pessimistic though. Pretty touching and great performance on stage. If you dig bands such as ⌂ or Ximena! Tenemos Que Hablar so far, ESDLA could catch your attention. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Sad Affleck
Sad Affleck is a screamo/post-hardcore band active since 2017 and have self-released on digital format so far: Helio EP and En Qué Momento Todo Cambió LP (2017). Regarding their sound, Sad Affleck mixes screamo, post-hardcore, math rock and post-rock for creating an unique and personal sound with both chaotic and melodic traits. There are even some clean and screamed vocals duet that accompany very well the slower and introspective interludes. They reminded me of City of Caterpillar (USA) and Envy (Japan) but with a more "condensed" and less aggressive musical execution. It still is very touching, though. In their more recent LP, there are even some mid-tempo paced pop punk and melodic hardcore-driven tracks that will make you remind you of fucked up teenage years. Please, no ha ha...Ok, cool though (?)). And, you still can't get the reference of their name? You need more Internet "meme culture", les chaton.ne.s! he he he. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Vientre
If you're plus ou moins used to listen to modern screamo-related outfits, I'm pretty sure you must already know this Cali-based experimental monster. If not, get out of your rock, Patrick Star! Vientre appeared somewhere between 2016 and 2017 and since then, they quickly became a reference to the emerging colombian screamo vague. They have released thus far: Las Huellas Que Dejamos LP (2017), Semillas LP (2018), split EP with Hardwar (Colombia/USA) (2019), Fronteras EP (2020) and split EP with Lyed (USA) (2020). Regarding their sound, Vientre mixes screamo, post-hardcore and post-rock with a very unique and complex musical instrumentation and execution displaying both chaotic and melodic traits. Also, there's the (in)famous clean and screamed vocal styles duet that many modern screamo bands tend to incorporate into their repertory nowadays. Not really my cup of tea but Vientre manages it really well though. The lyrical content is very personal with abstract stances that will make you either bloom or wither your most hidden and precious sentiments in this fucked-up simulation. Great. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Of course, their most recent material is potential candidate to our best picks of this year. If you love mexican groups like Joliette, you should love this one by antonomasia. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Anhedonia
Another hidden jewel from La Sucursal Del Cielo AKA Cali that's been in the game since 2017 and have self-released on digital format their only LP entitled Estar Rotos Nos Hace Indestructibles (2018) so far. Anhedonia, pretty much like other local acts such as Vientre, mixes screamo, post-hardcore and post-rock for creating an ethereal and instrospective ambient-filled music for trying to retrieve once again the last remnant of the golden heartbeat that made you feel a little bit more "alive" sometime ago. Just a little more...So, if you dig latin american post-rock-influenced screamo bands in the same vein as Joliette (Mexico), Caminos, Bosque (Chile), Árboles En Llamas (Argentina) and Vientre (Colombia), this is for you. Also, keep in mind their lyrics (You can copy/paste them from their bandcamp and use Google Translator, mate). Very touching as fuck. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. I hope to see more material from this band in the near future. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Llueve En La Montaña
Llueve En La Montaña (from now on LlELM) is an experimental emo band (Yup, you read right) from different cities of Antioquia such as Medellín and Rionegro also featuring current members of other musical projects such as Corriendo, La Traición De Las Masas, Crear Puentes, Mar Es and more. They have been active since 2017 and have released so far: self-titled EP (2017), El Frío De Los Días EP (2018) and Kodamás EP (2020). Regarding the sound, this musical outfit mixes screamo, emo, post-rock, math-rock and post-hardcore with a very experimental and avant-garde approach. Also, unlike other national hardcore punk-related musical outfits, this is probably the only one featuring a saxophone, a very strange instrument to the subgenre, that gives a fuzzy smooth jazz-esque vibe to the whole LlELM's unique and bold musical proposition, which has a strangely slow yet forceful introspective execution. Nice. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. I hope to see more material from this band in the near future. Of course, their most recent material is potential candidate to our best picks of this year. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
La Falsa Sensación De Avanzar
La Falsa Sensación De Avanzar (from now on LFSDA) is a recently formed band from Medellín that only have self-released on digital format Aquellas Cosas Que Se Van LP, their debut full-length album. Some tracks off such as Cenizas: Como Reflejo De Tus Ojos and Cuando Tu Mirada Deje De Brillar were released separately as promo tracks and also Volver A Tus Recuerdos was included in El Basurero Del Emo Vol. II compilation (2019). Regarding the sound, LFSDA draws influences from screamo, post-hardcore, post-rock, melodic hardcore and even shoegaze for creating something of their own. Indeed, there are some slower and introspective moments mixed with modern hardcore breakdowns, fast-paced crescendos and complex ambient-filled guitar chords and pedal effects. In a similar fashion as Vientre, the band also has clean and screamed vocal styles duet alike with very personal and abstract stances about, you know, life, love and regret. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended.
Cenizo
Cenizo is a recently formed musical sideproject to other Cali-based bands such as Mico and Vientre. They only have released so far Voluntad b/w Destierros single and Tendencias Autodestructivas LP (2019). They also contributed one track off their LP entitled Carisma to Fragmentos De Habitaciones Y Lágrimas compilation, curated by Antonia Amor y Ruido collective from Ibagué, Colombia (Don't worry, it will be featured sometime later in this special post). Regarding the sound, Cenizo plays screamo and post-hardcore with more experimental traits drawn from alternative rock, sludge, post-rock, post-black metal and emoviolence styles. Their lyrical content is mostly personal with very abstract and cryptic stances but there are some slight references to social and political issues out there such as homelessness and enviromental exploitation, Interesting. It's such a shame that I missed their LP out last year. It's so damn good. If you dig their main musical projects, Cenizo will definitely catch your attention. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Aleph Es El Color Del Cielo
This is Aleph Es El Color Del Cielo's only self-released LP. Their sound is a mix of screamo, post-hardcore, math and post-rock with personal and heart-touching lyrics dealing with failed relationships and how sad and shitty sundays are, for example, that really reminded me of Bosque, Caminos (Chile), Suis La Lune (Sweden) and Envy (Japan). Both musical execution and instrumentation are pretty exceptional with slower and introspective interludes, mid-tempo crescendos, screamed vocals and +3 minutes long tracks. As you may know, here in Colombia we really don't have too many emo and screamo-related acts so, it's pretty cool that Aleph...existed long time enough to remind us of how short and ephemeral this beautifully cruel world is. Well, kind of...Oh, don't forget that there's an American Football reference in the last track. What else could you ask for? Finally, click on the image for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy this record. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Ataraxia
Ataraxia is a band formed last year from the southern part of Colombia (Not sure if from Pasto or Ipiales), near to the international border with Ecuador. As we stated before, their sound draws influences from screamo, emoviolence, post-hardcore, math and post-rock that really reminded me of a mix of Suis La Lune (Sweden), Comadre and Funeral Diner (USA) with both slow and fast-paced tempo overlaps, screamed and clean vocals and a pretty impressive musical instrumentation with simple yet catchy tunes. And, of course, the lyrics are personal and abstract enough, nearly difficult to correctly interpret of what they are about. Finally, I really dig this live recording tape and can't wait for an eventual official release. A year has already passed and still nothing. Ha ha. Patience is a virtue. Am I right, les chaton.ne.s! Don't forget to click on the image for getting redirected to YouTube where you can listen to this record. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Empatía
Ok, if you have read my blog during these months lately, you must already know I participate to this screamo/
emoviolence musical outfit as vocalist. It's kinda weird to review or even discuss here my own musical projects but I'll give you some information about us, though. Empatía was born in Bogotá (late 2017/early 2018) and we've been together since then. We only have released so far:
Discography 7" (Miss The Stars Records (Germany), 2020), which compiles two unreleased EPs:
2017-2018, these are
some of the tracks in our early/mid-stages as a band,
and the split with LAYQA (2019), a now defunct local post punk/hardcore punk band, and more recently, a 3-way split EP with Amitié (USA) and Marée Noire (Canada) (Zegema Beach Records (Canada), Larry Records (USA)
et al, 2020). Some of these tracks off these records have been featured in different compilations such as
El Basurero del Emo Vol. 2, among others, as well. If you'd like to read some reviews made by Brooklyn Vegan (wow! ha ha), Cielos Ciegos (in spanish, though) and Chaos Is Me blogs about our current works, you can click
here,
here,
here and
here. Finally,
click on the image above for getting redirected to our official bandcamp account where you can listen to (and even buy (?)) our music. Highly recommended by many people out there. It seems so ha ha. Enjoy!
basuraastillada
The last colombian band in this humble entry is basuraastillada, a recently formed band from Bogotá. They only have self-released on digital format only one demo and
Pecho De Algodón De Azúcar EP (2020). In fact, the latter just was released when the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic started here in Colombia some months ago. Yup, we're "confined" since long, long time ago ha ha. Regarding the sound, basuraastillada mixes screamo with math rock and...
midwest emo (AKA
indie emo). No, I'm not kidding. Sincerely (yet surprisingly) unbeknownst to me, this musical trend has been in the game since some recent years. The only band I can recall right now is Ginestá from Argentina. So, guess what? I really dig basuraastillada's musical style. Indeed, there's the
mathy guitar fuzz of some
midwest emo-revival acts such as Owen mixed with the fury of mid-00s
emoviolence bands like I Wrote Haikus About Cannibalism In Your Notebook. Great
mélange of chaotic and melodic music with both clean and screamed as fuck vocal styles singing about how boring and trivial is the world for young adults nowadays. Finally,
click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
3) Venezuela
Captiveri
Captiveri was a short-lived "chaotic hardcore punk" musical project from Zulia that only released Baphomet Mantra Vol. I (Not On Label; Captiveri-self-released, 2016) and nothing more and nothing less. Regarding their sound, Captiveri mixed different styles such as screamo, post-hardcore, post-black metal, sludge and neocrust. Also, this was one of the few screamo bands in LATAM singing exclusively in english with politically-charged dealing with severe critiques to borders, iconoclasm, the hardcore scene and more. Pretty cool. Imagine modern bands such Joliette (Mexico) or Vientre (Colombia) but with a more political agenda. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
ZETA
ZETA is an experimental and avant-garde hardcore punk musical outfit from Puerto La Cruz and now established in USA. They've been active since 2003 and since them have mixed different styles such as screamo, post-hardcore, post-rock. They also have experimented with very, very strange elements to the hardcore punk spectrum such as folk, jazz and latin fusion, etc. In fact, one of their more recent LPs entitled Magia Infinita (2019), which also was one of our best picks of last year, is a proof of that bold yet fascinating musical approach. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. From their ever growing and prolific discography, you can listen to Explosión Del Cosmos Del Alma LP (2013) and L'Antiteoría Del Todo (2016), both more screamo and post-hardcore-driven records but try to listen to their other material. Trust me, it's goddamn good. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
4) Ecuador
Finlandia / Singapur
"Neither Finland, Nor Singapur. Just Sound". This is the motto of this interesting Quito-based experimental screamo outfit. During years, I always thought this was the only emo and screamo-related band from the "center of the world". And, it seemed so to be that way. Finlandia / Singapur (whose name comes from a huge philosophical treaty and discussion out there concerning some SpongeBob Squarepants' episodes (no kidding) was active between 2014 and 2017 approximately and did have some different shows in Colombia and Peru as well. Just like other south american screamo bands such as Fiesta Bizarra (Peru) and ZETA (Venezuela), Finlandia / Singapur plays screamo mixed with post rock, math-rock and even
shoegaze with heavy emphasis on slow and introspective instrumental-only interludes (with a very raw and lo-fi approach) mixed with some eventual screamed vocals about broken dreams, loneliness, construction/
deconstruction dichotomies, and much more. Finally,
click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. There you will find their singles EP, split with Escape From The Machinery and
19 Junio, 1955 EP (2016). Some unassorted tracks can be found on their Souncloud account as well, which you can listen to by clicking
here. Will there ever be an official discography anytime soon? Time will tell...Highly recommended. Enjoy!
CBRS
CBRS or Cabras (Goats in english) is the second and last ecuadorian screamo-related musical outfit from Guayaquil that I could find. They only have released one demo (2014), Caminos single (2016), self-titled EP (2017) and Ensayos Sobre Los Afectos EP (2019). Regarding their sound, well, CBRS describe their music as "abrasive music for introspective pvnx" and that's it. Indeed, just like local counterparts Finlandia/Singapur, they mix screamo, post-hardcore, post-rock, math rock and more for creating something very unique and of their own. But the screamed vocal style is way more present and some lyrics are more political aware, though. (Their more recent EP is a proof of this). Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
5) Brazil
Saddest Day
As I mentioned you in previous paragraphs, Saddest Day from Belo Horizonte was one of the first screamo-related band from Brazil and the rest of South America. They only self-released one CD entitled
Confuso.Certo.Bonito.Complicado.Simples.Feio (1999) and that was it. Also, this band despised the emo term for describing their musical style that even they wrote a whole manifesto explaining why they should be simply described as hardcore. You can read it by clicking
here. So, respecting the band's point of view, their sound was closer to those 90s hardcore bands like Elements of Need, Current and Indian Summer with +3 minute long tracks, mix of slow and introspective moments and fast-paced crescendos and screamed vocals. The lyrics were exclusively in english, something really surprising back at the time, with both political and personal content. Finally,
click on the image above for downloading their only LP ever released. The download link is a courtesy of
El Basurero del Emo blog. Do not miss out this hidden brazilian...hardcore jewel. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
3 Segundos Antes Da Queda
3 Segundos Antes Da Queda (from now on 3SADQ) was a band from Brasilia and was active between 2006 and 2008. They only recorded one demo (2006) and an unreleased self-titled LP, that appeared on the Internet sometime in 2009 when the musical outfit already was disbanded. The latter contains some re-recorded tracks from the demo and some extra unreleased and untitled tracks as well. Regarding the sound, they reminded me of early-00s emo "revival" acts in the US such as Funeral Diner, The Saddest Landscape and Beau Navire with their particular musical instrumentation and execution (+3 minutes long tracks, more slower and introspective instrumental-only interludes, screamed vocals, etc.). I'm pretty sure that 3SADQ's sound really was ahead of their time in the region because many modern latin american post-rock-influenced screamo bands sound like this one in some parts. It's such a shame that they were overshadowed by other more "popular" acts back in the days. Too bad but yeah, shit happens. Finally, click on the image above for downloading all 3SADQ's available material. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Liberdade Após A Raiva
Liberdade Após A Raiva (from now on LAAR) is another interesting lost screamo band from Curitiba, regarded by many as brazilian hardcore capital city, active in 2008, that only recorded one unreleased self-titled EP that year. Regarding the sound, they reminded me of 90s french and german
protoscreamo outfits such as Anomie, Ivich, Ananda (France), Age and Abyss (Germany) with a very particular vocal style duet (one with screams and the other one more "hardcore"). Just like other hardcore bands in their country, LAAR lyrics were politically-charged and there's one reference to Rick Deckard, the main protagonist of Phillip Dick's 1968 novel
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? (who was portrayed by Harrison Ford in the 1982 film adaptation
Blade Runner). Cool. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their material. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Motim
Motim also was a short-lived band from Curitiba that existed between 2008 and 2010 and only released Sobreviviendo A Uma Rotina De Incertezas EP (2009) and 21'50" EP (2010). On their official bandcamp account, there's also an unreleased untitled single track, recorded back in 2010. Regarding the sound, Motim played a mix of screamo-influenced neocrust and death metal-influenced metalcore, pretty much like SL'S3 (Gallicia, Spain) meets Mörser (Germany), but they also added in other sounds such as post-rock, ambient, math rock and post-hardcore for creating a pretty interesting mix of chaotic and melodic music. Another characteristic to remark to is the vocal style. Indeed, three band members, including the main vocalist, singed along very differently (one screamed, one made gutturals, and the final one did much cleaner sounds, which served as a some sorta chorus in some parts). Their lyrics were in their native language with both political and personal lyrics dealing with issues such as consummerism, emotional instability, free will and more as well. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their material. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Meia Lua E Soco
Meia Lua E Soco was another short-lived and cryptic band from Campinas that recorded one EP entitled A Todos Nossos Amigos (2008(?)), which never was officially released on physical format back in the days. Regarding the sound, Meia Lua E Soco mixed screamo, metalcore (mathcore variant) and post-hardcore with both screamed and clean vocals. The latter characteristic also was present in other emerging bands in South America at their time such as Leidan (Chile) and La Última Canción Del Mundo (Argentina). The lyrics also were in portuguese with some personal and political stances. They somewhat reminded of Loxiran and Lebensreform (Germany) in some parts but with a slightly different vocal style as well. I wnoder why...Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their material. The band opened it some months ago. Cool. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
A Besta Deve Morrer
A Besta Deve Morrer was a short-lived musical act from Curitiba and only released one LP entitled Não se pode evitar certas fatalidades pois o que comanda a vida não é o homem mas um acaso desesperadamente cruel que te move com todas as forças para longe de onde você queira estar (Wow, it's probably the longest name on a screamo record ever!) in 2011. The last track off this record also was part of Algunas Ideas Pueden Ser Peligrosas - Screamo América Latina compilation (2012). Regarding the sound, A Besta Deve Morrer played screamo-influenced neocrust with some traits of other musical styles such as post-rock and sludge. Pretty much like a more pristine version of Ictus and a little bit less "epic". Still, the song structures had + 3 minutes long tracks, with both chaotic and melodic musical execution, complex yet precise instrumentation, a mix of screamed and guttural vocal style, and very, very dark and pessimistic lyrics in their native language.Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Concreto Morto
Concreto Morto was another band from Curitiba (I do not know if members of the previous band also were involved in this one) that existed somewhere between 2014 and 2016 and only released Vela Preta and 10.ago.14 demos (2014), Viver-Só EP (2014), A Necessidade De Produzir Sempre Foi Antagonista Do Desejo De Criar EP and Medo Do Astrologia EP (2016). Regarding the sound, Concreto Morto played straightforward emoviolence à la Louise Cyphre and June Paik, pretty much like spaniard bands like Gone With The Pain and Enoch Ardon. On their last EP, there are some tracks that really reminded me of the grind mathy savoir faire of Arse Moreira from Mexico. Pretty emotive and intense musical aggressions in a emotional way. It's one of my favorite bands in South America. Too bad they're not a band anymore. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
De Carne E Flor
De Carne E Flor was a band from São Paulo and only self-released one EP entitled Teto Não Familiar in 2016. Regarding the sound, De Carne E Flor can be described as the brazilian response to Viva Belgrado and Descubriendo A Mr. Mime from Spain. Indeed, their sound is a mix of screamo, post-rock and post-hardcore with a fantastic musical execution. Also, they had very heartbreaking lyrics in their native language dealing with...well, just copy them from their official bandcamp account, paste them on Google Translator and find it for yourselves. If you dig other spanish speaking post-rock-driven screamo bands like Caminos (Chile) and Vientre (Colombia), this is for you. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Konran Jyoutai
Konran Jyoutai is a recently formed band from Curitiba (?) featuring ex and current members of other local hardcore punk acts like Narcose, Never Again, Concreto Morto and Clan Dos Mortos, among others. They only have released thus far one self-titled EP (Crocodilo Records (Brazil), 2019). They also contributed one track to El Basurero del Emo Vol. II compilation (2019). Regarding the sound, Konran Jyoutai plays screamo/emoviolence in the same vein as now all-time classics in the subgenre such as Orchid, Neil Perry and Usurp Synapse (with some slight elements of noise, crust and black metal in some tracks) clearly obsessed with japanese culture. Indeed, the name, track titles and artwork is heavily inspired by "the rising sun" country's culture. The lyrics are sung in their native language with very obscure and defeatist content. This is just pure fucking chaos and I dare to say this is one of the most violent, musically speaking of course, screamo acts in LATAM. Damn, how could I miss this out last year? Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
6) Peru
Caotic
Caotic, one of the first peruvian screamo bands, appeared sometime in 2008 and only released one 3-way split with Disaster Surf Attack and Bigote Harrison, two chilean powerviolence bands. The band completely disappeared shortly after. Regarding their sound, they played screamo with notorious emoviolence vibes in the same vein as other emerging bands in LATAM back at the time such as Vlado Petrik (Chile) and Zarathustra Has Been Killed In The 70s (Mexico). This is pure passionate and visceral as fuck music. I really dig this 3-way split since it was one of my first non-american screamo records I've ever listened to. Finally, click on the image above for listening to Caotic's side of the aforementioned 3-way split. Due to my moving, I cannot upload this amazing lost but not forgotten south american hardcore record right now but I'll do it once we're installed on the new La Mort D'Un.e. Moderniste's HQ. Promised. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat was a screamo/
emoviolence band from Lima that existed between 2009 and 2018. During their lifespan, they released one self-titled EP, 4-way split EP with Juan Sáyago, Sparx and Procrastinación 1 Yo 0 (Peru) (La Flor Records (Peru), 2011) split EP with Día Gris (Mexico) (La Flor Records, 2013) and contributed tracks to different compilations such as
Algunas Ideas Pueden Ser Peligrosas - Screamo América Latina (2012) and
Swollen Lungs (2014), among others. Regarding the sound, they played like other
emoviolence-driven bands in LATAM such as Arse Moreira (Mexico) and Ostende (Argentina). In fact, along those aforementioned acts, Angkor Wat was during years a screamo referent in the region. I think their legacy can still be tracked down easily. Finally, click on the image above for listening to / downloading the
No Tiene Sentido Buscar En Lo Que Ya Está Extinto compilation (La Flor Records, 2018), which reunites all Angkor Wat's works. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Un Viejo Arcoiris
Un Viejo Arcoiris was a short-lived band from Lima that existed between 2012 and 2014. They only released Es Mejor EP (2013) and one split EP with Procrastinación 1 Yo 0 (2014). They also did a reunion show at the tenth anniversary of Movimiento Circular De Los Árboles, a pretty well-known peruvian hardcore/punk blog. (Should I make a concert like that in 4 years? ha ha). At this concert, the band made a cover of one song by Jonas Brothers (no kidding!) and a piñata was unmercifully "killed". Ha ha. Regarding the sound, Un Viejo Arcoiris played post-rock-influenced screamo but neither as experimental nor "ambient" as other ones mostly. Indeed, they played really fast-paced in the same vein as other mexican bands like Per Se, Aves and Die Alone. Even one track slightly tease with post-black metal. (This was the first screamo band in LATAM doing so?) There are a couple instrumental-only tracks as an exception to their style, however. Finally,
click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their only EP. If you want to listen to their split with Procrastinación 1 Yo 0, you can click
here. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Löri
Löri (formerly known as Löri Berensön) was a musical sideproject to other local porjects such as Angkor Wat and Juan Sáyago, among others. During their lifespan, they released Es Nuestra Propia Injusticia La Que Se Revela Contra Nosotros Mismos (La Flor Records, 2013), split EP with Escaleras (Argentina) (La Flor Records, 2014) (these two records were released as Löri Berensön), split with Yusuke (USA) (La Flor Records, 2014) and Obtusión//Aversión LP (La Flor Records, 2016). Regarding their sound, the band initially played screamo/emoviolence like Agnkor Wat but they gradually incorporated more post-hardcore, sludge, post-rock and even post-black metal elements into their repertory for creating something really experimental to keep an eye on (notably on their only LP ever released). Someone told me long time ago this was a like a some sort of peruvian response to Joliette (Mexico) and, well, technically speaking, yes. It could be. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Moholy Nagy
Moholy Nagy was also a short-lived band from Lima that appeard sometime in 2012 and only released one 3-way split with Junior Healy (USA) and Per Se (Mexico) (La Flor Records, 2012) and contributed one track to
Swollen Lungs compilation (2014). This track is less than 5 seconds long and probably the shortest screamo/
emoviolence track ever written here in LATAM (and even worldwide). Regarding the sound, Moholy Nagy mixed different styles such as screamo,
emoviolence, post-rock and post-hardcore for creating thus a pretty solid music filled with slow and fast-paced overlap changes, screamed vocals, complex and precise musical execution and instrumentation. They really reminded me of screamo bands from Malaysia such as Kias Fansuri and Utarid.
Finally,
click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music.
Swollen Lungs compilation already was featured here in the blog so, you can either look for it or wait for its re-feature in the next entries related to this humble special post. It's up to you, l
es chaton.ne.s! Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Fiesta Bizarra
Fiesta Bizarra is an experimental band from Trujillo that have been active since 2013. They have released so far: one self-titled (Cósmica! (Perú), 2013), Estar A Favor O En Contra, Qué Más Da? EP (La Flor Records, 2014), Sadness Sorrow Imathgination (La Flor Records / Dingleberry Records (Germany), 2015), Making Waves: 4-way split with Chuck Bass (Germany), Uragano (Italy) and Urughai (Malaysia) (Chloromethane Records (Germany) et al), 4-way split with Tony Danza, La Tole Tole (Peru), Cambiar (Chile) (Awante Independiente Records, 2015) and Reencuentro b/w Bug de Sueños single (La Flor Records, 2017). Regarding the sound, Fiesta Bizarra incorporates different musical styles into their repertory such as screamo, mathcore, post-hardcore, post-black metal, post-rock and more. On early recordings, the music was indeed more abrasive and ferocious compared to their more recent works (notably the 2017 single) since sometime ago they also added in more latin fusion, jazz and bossanova elements but they still retain somewhat their early screamo roots. Interesting. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Fútbol Peruano 1997
Fútbol Peruano 1997 (from now on FP'97) is a screamo band from Lima that only has released so far Lo Que Pasó En 1997, Se Queda En 1997 EP and that's all. Their official bandcamp account does include a rehearsal demo and a 2018 single, however. Their name is a reference an old SNES videogame that was really popular some yesterdays ago. (Here in Colombia, we had our own national edition ha ha). According to the band, they never planned to record anything but after an unknown band finished their respective record session, someone at the studio said to FP'97, whose members were depressed and out of this world at that very specific moment, "Get inside quickly if you want to record something". Regarding the sound, FP'97 played post-rock-influenced screamo with very short songs less than 2 minutes long. But these songs neither are executed on a emoviolence way nor on an epic and experimental one. This is the perfect timing of chaotic and melodic music. Nice. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music filled with nostalgia and melancholy to both SNES bootleg cartridges (it was kinda obvious, right?) and 90s classic screamo bands like Neil Perry or The Spirit Of Versailles (USA). Such a killer combo. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Hiroshima | Nagasaki
Hiroshima | Nagasaki is a fairly new band from Lima that only has contributed one track to El Movimiento De Los Árboles Vol. 2 compilation (2018) amd one demo last year. Regarding the sound, Hiroshima | Nagasaki plays screamo alla italiana influenced by now classic bands like Raein and La Quiete with relatively short and fast-paced songs. There are also some eventual post-rock, ambient and post-everything elements. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Let's wait and see if they release an EP or LP anytime soon. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
María
The last peruvian band in this list, featuring some members of Fútbol Peruano 97, self-released on their official badcamp account their self-titled EP early this year. I knew this band because they were added as an "international special guest" on Fragmentos De Habitaciones Y Lágrimas compilation (Antonia, Amor y Ruido collective (Colombia), 2020). Regarding the sound, María blends screamo with midwest emo, pretty much like basuraastillada (Colombia) does. However, the mix is a little bit different since María gives you the impression of being a more indie emo-oriented band with screamed vocals. Pretty intense and captivating as well. The lyrics are, well, emotive enough to make you cry while smoking pot. I already did it. But, you, please, no. Don't do it. I warned you, les chaton.ne.s! Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. I'll consider this EP as one of our best picks of this year. I hope to not forget about them. Nothing personal, though. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
7) Uruguay
Avitación 101
Avitación 101 (Do not confuse it with Habitación 101 from Catalunya, Spain) is a political hardcore punk band led by a womyn from Montevideo. Their musical style blends screamo,
neocrust and metalcore with politically-charged lyrics dealing with topics such as feminism, capitalism, catholic church, and much more. If you dig
neocrust bands like Asfixia (Basque Country, Spain) and Gattaca (Czechia AKA Czech Republic) since Avitación 101's musical execution and instrumentation is similar to those ones'. Finally,
click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their side of the split with Ruinas (Argentina). Ruinas' side can be listened to by clicking
here. Their split with ZAT (Chile) can be listened to through Crecer Records' (Uruguay) official bandcamp account by clicking
here, their split with Wild Dögs (Spain) can be listened to through Romantic Songs Recordings' (Spain) official bandcamp account by clicking
here and,
last but not least, their split with Beatriz Carnicero (Uruguay) can be listened to through the uruguayan
grindviolence monster's official bandcamp account by clicking
here. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
8) Puerto Rico
Ma Catharsis Et La Mort
We finally conclude this entry with a musical group from Puerto Rico. I have to admit that this interesting boricua experimental screamo was added at the very last minute because I realized of their existence just after listening to the second volume of Todas Las Fronteras Son Imaginarias (2014) compilation. This is the only band from there that I could find. They were active from 2012 to 2015 approximately and only released Extended Pain EP (Driftwood Records (USA), 2013) and split with Kitsch (Puerto Rico) (2014). Some of their tracks have been featured in different international hardcore punk compilations out there as well. Regarding their sound, well, if you have listened to other featured bands in this special post so far such as Joliette (Mexico) and Vientre (Colombia), Ma Catharsis Et La Mort could be appealing to you. Indeed, you'll find in here pretty complex yet well-executed cathartic and violent-driven post-rock-influenced screamo like nothing else out there. Pretty amazing band. I almost miss them out. Ha ha ha. Finally, click on the image above for getting redirected to their official bandcamp account where you can listen to / buy their music. Kitsch's side can be listened to by clicking
here however. FFO: Carrion Spring and Loma Prieta (US). Enjoy and until next time. Kisses and hugs!
