Gangrena Gasosa

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1990

Genres

crossover thrash, heavy metal, sarava metal

Instruments

vocals, guitar, bass, drums, percussion

Biography

Gangrena Gasosa is a pioneering Brazilian crossover thrash band formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1990 by Cid Mesquita and Chorão³. The group gained national and international attention for creating "Saravá Metal," a unique musical style that blends aggressive heavy metal with traditional Afro-Brazilian percussion and Umbanda spiritual themes. Instead of traditional black metal imagery, the band members portray various Umbanda entities such as Exus, Pombagiras, and Omolu on stage, complete with distinctive ritualistic clothing and props.

Throughout their decades-long career, the band has released several notable albums, including Welcome to Terreiro in 1993, Smells Like a Tenda Spírita in 2000, and Se Deus É 10, Satanás É 666 in 2011. Their theatrical live performances and uncompromising musical vision earned them a dedicated cult following across Brazil, leading to memorable appearances at major festivals such as Goiânia Noise Festival, Porão do Rock, and the Rock in Rio festival in 2022. They have also been the subject of documentaries and soundtrack projects celebrating Brazilian folklore and extreme music.

Despite numerous lineup changes and internal disputes over the trademark rights to the band's name, Gangrena Gasosa has continued to evolve and release new material, such as their 2024 album Figa of the Dark. Their ability to fuse heavy underground metal with rich cultural traditions places them in a unique position within the Brazilian music landscape, alongside legendary acts like Ratos de Porão and Sepultura.