O Terço

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1968–Present

Genres

progressive rock, rock rural, folk rock, MPB, psychedelic rock

Instruments

guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards, cello, flute, viola caipira

Biography

O Terço is a foundational Brazilian progressive rock band formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1968. Initially established as a trio by Sérgio Hinds, Jorge Amiden, and Vinícius Cantuária, the group's name (meaning 'The Third' or 'The Rosary') reflected their original three-piece structure. While their early work in the late 1960s blended rock and roll with folk and classical influences, they gained significant recognition through the Brazilian festival circuit, winning prizes with songs like 'Velhas Histórias' and 'Tributo ao Sorriso.' During this formative period, they also collaborated extensively with other icons of the era, notably backing Marcos Valle on the seminal album 'Vento Sul.'

The band reached its creative and commercial peak in the mid-1970s after shifting toward a more complex progressive rock sound, heavily influenced by the English scene but rooted in Brazilian sensibilities. This 'golden era' lineup featured Hinds alongside Sérgio Magrão, Luiz Moreno, and the virtuosic keyboardist Flávio Venturini, who was recommended to the band by Milton Nascimento. Their 1975 masterpiece, 'Criaturas da Noite,' featured orchestral arrangements by the legendary Rogério Duprat and became a landmark of South American prog, seamlessly blending heavy synthesizers with 'rock rural' (rural rock) influences from collaborators like Sá & Guarabyra.

Following a temporary dissolution in the late 1970s—which saw members Magrão and Venturini depart to form the highly successful pop-rock group 14 Bis—Sérgio Hinds became the band's primary torchbearer. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, O Terço experimented with various lineups and styles, including English-language albums and symphonic projects. The classic 1970s lineup eventually reunited in the early 2000s for a series of high-profile concerts and live recordings, cementing their legacy as pioneers who bridged the gap between psychedelic experimentation, symphonic rock, and Brazilian regional music.

Discography

• O Têrço (1970)
• Terço (1973)
• Criaturas da Noite (1975)
• Casa Encantada (1976)
• Mudança de Tempo (1978)
• Som Mais Puro (1983)
• Time Travellers (1992)
• O Terço e Orquestra Sinfônica Juvenil do Est. de S. P. – Live At Palace (1994)
• Compositores (1996)
• Spiral Words (1998)
• Tributo a Raul Seixas com o Terço (1999)
• Ao Vivo - 1976 (2005)
• Ao Vivo (2007)
• 45 Anos de Estrada - Ao Vivo (2015)