TRIPLE THRASH TREAT 3

Brazilian thrash metal is a regional scene of thrash metal music that originated during the 1980s in Brazil. Along with Bay Area thrash metal, and Teutonic thrash metal, it was one of the major scenes of thrash metal in the 1980s. Though not as large or well known as the North American or European thrash movements, it is still a pivotal point in heavy metal, as it bridges the gap between the thrash of the mid-80s and the death metal scene later in the decade.

The European and North American heavy metal and hardcore have been a great influence on a lot of bands like Stress, Belém and Restos de Nada, but the first thrash metal (or speed metal) album released officially in Brazil was a split album between two bands in 1984. The split album "Ultimatum", with the two bands Dorsal Atlântica and Metalmorphosis, came out around the same time as "Kill ‘Em All" by Metallica, "War and Pain" by Voivod, and "Sentence of Death" by Destruction.

Dorsal Atlântica from Rio de Janeiro were pioneers because of their record being officially released, but there were other bands releasing demos, like Vulcano from São Paulo and Sepultura from Belo Horizonte.

The Brazilian thrash metal scene had the same revolution in thrash metal during the late 90’s as the other scenes, with bands mixing different styles into thrash metal. Sepultura was the most succsessful mixing tribal sounds into their music. A lot of bands disappeared in the mid- and late 90’s. Some of these returned more than 10 years later and along with a lot of new bands, the scene once more are standing strong.

 

Sepultura "Inner Self" live Texas 1989

 

In this third edition of Triple Thrash Treat, we have the honor of presenting the answers from 3 former radio babes, all well known in the Norwegian metal scene. We have the mother to all metallers in Norway, we have an Italian who became a loved metalbabe in the Norwegian metal scene and we have a young and rising star who became best known for her local radio shows in Trondheim. Here is:

Gro Narvestad, host of Ambolt, Norways most famous metal show on radio.
Patrizia Mazzuoccolo, host and producer of Tinitus.
Helle Stenkløv, host of Hammartid, a local metal show in Trondheim.

As usual we ask them the same 5 questions and here is what these 3 fine radio babes came up with.

 

 

Radiobabe
GRO NARVESTAD
(Ambolt)

 

What is your favorite thrash metal riff?

"Creeping Death" / "Hit the Lights" / "Seek and Destroy" – Metallica, "Piranha" / "Metal Command" – Exodus, "Fight till Death" / "Mandatory Suicide" / "Angel of Death" (there’s no fucking escape from this one) – Slayer, "Skeletons in the Closet" / "S.O.S" – Infernäl Mäjesty.

What was your first gig with a thrash metal band?

Oh lord, how am I supposed to remember? I’m almost 90 years old – probably Slayer or Sepultura late 80’s  / early 90’s. Can’t remember which or when. First metal gig I went to on my own wasn’t even thrash – it was Iron Maiden in 1984 or so (Gothenburg).

Who has, in your opinion, the best thrash metal screams?

Tom Araya, dude. Mille Petrozza ain’t half bad either.

And who is the best thrash metal riffer?

Gary Holt. Close second – Jeff Hanneman.

Finally, what is your favorite thrash metal album?

It’s a toss-up between Exodus – "Bonded by Blood", Slayer’s "Show No Mercy" and Infernäl Mäjesty’s "None Shall Defy". 

 
photo by Per Christian Grimsgaard
  

Radiobabe
PATRIZIA MAZZUOCCOLO
(Tinitus)

 

What is your favorite thrash metal riff?

Tough question. I am not a fan of ‘testo riffs’ as much as carefully crafted ones. Though I really love the main riff in "Bonded By Blood" by Exodus. I find it rather…catchy, actually. But in general, I am more into the atmosphere that a particular track gives out. And so, while Slayer are insanely fast, I feel that Kerry King’s ability to construct melodic riffs is highly unique. "South of Heaven" would have to be my favourite track cos the whole song is haunting and at the same time epic. It is art. Last but NOT least, I want to mention Metallica cos that "Seek And Destroy" song has the most dynamic riff ever invented as far as my ears go…and it might sound surprising but I am also greatly excited by that main riff in "Cyanide". I playlisted the song on Tinitus several times when "Death Magnetic" came out and it got me shaking it in the studio everytime. To the point that sometimes Kirsti had to remind me to turn her mike on at the end of that song, ahem. Trivium’s "Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr" main riff is outrageously sexy, too. And though it is not traditional thrash, I love the main riff off of "Hammer Smashed Face". I think there are elements of thrash in Cannibal Corpse. Sue me.

What was your first gig with a thrash metal band?

Metallica (in Italy) in 1988…Jason Newsted instead of Cliff Burton for obvious reasons. I remember Newsted walked past me at this radio station in Milan and I just stood there, said nothing. My friend was working at the radio station at the time and had invited me over. I felt totally intimidated (how things have changed since!). The gig was great though!

Who has, in your opinion, the best thrash metal screams?

It’s a toss up between Tom Araya and James ‘fucking’ Hetfield! No doubt. It’s tough picking one out of these two fabulous specimen but if I were forced to I would say Araya’s thrash metal screams are blood-curdling while Hetfield is the perfect growling machine. The latter also strikes the most perfect stage pose everytime…with his perfect legs. And I’ll stop right there HA! Chuck Billy has a sweet little voice on him, too. And Paul Baloff on that first Exodus record. I went to this show in New York last night and saw a band whose vocalist did the most insane thrash metal screams. They’re called Holy Grail, check them out. 

And who is the best thrash metal riffer?

Oh god, how long have we got?! Probably Kerry King, shortly followed by James ‘hot pins’ Hetfield. Love what Mustaine does as well cos he is a little more progressive in the way that he approaches guitar riffs. I am just not a huge Megadeth fan in terms of songs (compared to Slayer or Metallica). Oh and did I mention Hetfield? It did not take that long, did it.

Finally, what is your favorite thrash metal album?

"Reign In Blood" and "Kill ’em All". Might sound corny but these two bands are a cut above the rest (of the Big Four). I love Anthrax and Megadeth, too. Just in smaller doses. And I am not into the whole ‘thrash revival’ scene these days. I wish all those bands would just fuck off.

 

 

Radiobabe
HELLE STENKLØV
(Hammartid)

 

What is your favorite thrash metal riff?

Picking just one has never been my strong side. I’d have to mention Metallicas "Ride the Lightning", Destruction’s "Bestial Invasion", Metal Church – "Metal Church" and the whole "Game Over" album by Nuclear Assault. I know most people hate the guitar sound on "Game Over", but there’s no need to skip the album for that reason. The riffing is great!

What was your first gig with a thrash metal band?

That was probably Destruction at Wacken 2004. I was 19 and it was my first big festival experience. I didn’t have any friends that listened to metal before that, so I guess that’s why it took so long.

Who has, in your opinion, the best thrash metal screams?

I’m weak for Razor’s old vocalist, Stace McLaren. His screams are so boyish and vital, and they really hit a nerve in me. Very few can match Nasty Savage’s Nasty Ronnie! What a screamer! Death Angel’s Mark Osequeda does the trick on "The Ultra Violence", Wolfgang "Keil" Borgmann from Mekong Delta has some cool ones and Dark Angel’s Don Doty is great. I also like John Connelly, Joey Belladonna, Tom Araya and Apollyon. Just to namedrop some more.

And who is the best thrash metal riffer?

You’re asking me about that? I’m a piano player for Christ’s sake! I suck at this. But I’d pick Max Cavalera from Sepultura, Annihilator’s Jeff Waters, Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine from Megadeth and maybe Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman?

Finally, what is your favorite thrash metal album?

This is a hard one… Nasty Savage – s/t, Sepultura – "Beneath the Remains", Metal Church – "Metal Church", Dark Angel – "Darkness Descends", Vio-lence – "Eternal Nightmare", Destruction –  "Infernal Overkill", Nuclear Assault’s "Game Over", Metallica’s "Kill ‘em All"… Blargh, I could have mentioned hundreds. Just take a look at the artists I’ve mentioned above. I have favorites among them all.

 

 

It is uncertain where or when the thrash metal scene in Australia began, but one of the earliest records of a band playing the style of music would be the Melbourne group Heresy in 1982, who would later change their name to Nothing Sacred. While the members of Nothing Sacred did not consider themselves a thrash metal group, the influences from the style were apparent, also blending influences from NWOBHM and, on their full-length album "Let Us Prey" hardcore punk, with a cover of an S.O.D. song. Peter Hobbs, front-man from the Melbourne band Tyrus would later collaborate with the members of Nothing Sacred to record the early demos of what would later become Hobbs’ Angel of Death.