Virgem AtÔmica

Sure, if we're gonna present a respectable selection of old Brazilian Heavy Metal rarities here we can't really ignore this obscure-looking unclassic, even if it isn't quite as uber-rare as it looks. Nor is it as punky and/or Crossover-Thrashy as the sleeve implies either but on the whole a pretty straight-forward, crunchy Heavy Metal-affair, where "stripped-down" feels like a much more deserving adjective than derogatories like "amateurish" or "crude".

"Pesadelo Na Terra", theme-song and especially The Mix-Tape-Hit "Renascer" is V.A. at their best, all clenched fists'n'teeth, darkened, pounding Euro-Metal power like R&W-era Accept or indeed the good ol' Blitzkrieg-demos. Not in the same league by far, but solid and honest enough to keep them just above the FCO*-waterline. "Ameaça Nuclear", "Tempos Vencidos" and the rockin' "Ilusões" bring up the rear in solid Teutonic Gama-Metal fashion and only leaves us with the dreary, much too long semi-ballad "Mestres Do Poder" as the album's one true lemon.

If you're looking to add your 30th-to-40th 80's Brazilian Metal album to your collection, you could certainly do worse.

* = For Completists Only