Virus

One of four bands chosen for inclusion in 1984's watershed S.P. Metal compilation (the first collection of Brazilian heavy metal talent ever assembled), São Paulo's Vírus were born in 1981, and slowly built their repertoire and a modest following by playing what few clubs had the courage to support their misunderstood style of music at the time. Bandmembers Flávio de Barros (vocals), Fernando "Piu" Muniz (lead guitar), Renato de Barros (rhythm guitar), Carlos Cadi, Jr. (bass), and Caio de Capua (drums) were influenced by the likes of Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Kiss, and Judas Priest, and probably saw their popularity peak in 1986, when they were elected Brazil's best metal band by the readers of local magazine Metal. Unfortunately, the group's career began unraveling shortly thereafter, when disagreements with indie label Lunário Perpétuo led to their debut album's recording sessions being canceled halfway through. Vírus didn't have a manager to look out for their interests at the time, and when drummer de Capua up and quit, the remaining members decided to shut down operations following a final show at São Paulo's Teatro Mambembe, in 1988. The band later played a one-off 1999 reunion show at the city's legendary headbanger hangout Black Jack Bar, and, like many of their 1980s metal peers, have entertained the possibility of more serious re-formation plans in years since.