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Brazilian bands always have a special place on this site, as we are a Brazilian press media. I was very happy to discover Breakdown, a Brazilian band based in Germany that plays a modern and nostalgic sound that goes back to the roots of thrash metal without losing its freshness. We spoke to Leo, the band’s guitarist and vocalist.
This is the first time I’m interviewing a Brazilian band that doesn’t live in Brazil, and I find that incredible. So, to kick things off, how about telling us a bit about yourselves and how Breakdown came to be?
Leo: Man, it all started back in ‘98, after we finally got the hang of playing our instruments. We did some covers for a while and then decided to take the leap into writing our own songs.
I’ve noticed a recent wave of bands trying to bring back that 80s thrash metal vibe, kind of like Anthrax or Exodus. But listening to your music, I hear a lot of that old-school sound, yet it feels more modern (which, honestly, I really appreciate). How would you define the band’s sound, and how did you develop it?
Leo: Thank you! That’s exactly what we’re going for. Honestly, I’m not sure how we did it… I think all our influences just blended naturally. We don’t follow one style religiously. We play metal, and our influences range from NWOBHM and German metal to thrash, death, and punk. We just see what we can do with our instruments and go from there.
This year, you participated in Roadie Crew’s online festival, organized by Eliton from Som do Darma. What was it like to take part in that event, and how was the response?
Leo: I think it’s a great platform with solid reach. The goal is to get our music to more people, and it works!
You started the band in Brazil but later moved to Europe. How was the process of moving and adapting to a new country?
Leo: We moved because we wanted to explore new horizons and see the world. But yeah, adapting was a huge process. It was a great experience for us… your world changes a lot. It’s fascinating to see how people can be so similar yet so different in other countries. Metal scenes, though, tend to be pretty consistent everywhere!
Speaking of moving abroad, how has that process been for you? I ask because my brother lives in Germany now, and he’s told me that while everything is great, there’s still some prejudice against non-Europeans.
Leo: I’ve had a few small issues—structural prejudice, little difficulties here and there—but nothing too different from what I faced back in Brazil for having long hair or coming from a humble background. That said, in many countries, there’s been a resurgence of far-right movements, and we’re definitely keeping an eye on that.
I just listened to your new album, Divide and Konquer, and the production is excellent. Can you tell us about the production process?
Leo: The production started in Ireland with demos and ideas, but we moved before it was finished. Once the songs were ready, I prepped everything in a local studio here. Then Edu recorded the drums in Brazil, and we spent a week at Stage One Studio with Andy Classen. The production process was great—very hands-on and honest, capturing a natural vibe without over-editing. We mixed the album together in the studio, fine-tuning every detail. We’re really happy with the result and can’t wait to do it again!
Now, let’s talk about the lyrics and dive into a controversial topic. It’s clear your band has political stances. Many thrash bands, like Nervosa and Crypta, are leaning into political themes, which contrasts with some metal fans who oppose politics in music. What drives you to include politics in your songs?
Leo: Honestly, it doesn’t need to be controversial. I respect all styles and listen to all kinds of bands covering various topics—there’s room for everyone, and rock and metal are about freedom. For BKN, though, it happens naturally. Our background and worldview influence our writing. We think war, extremism, social inequality, racism, and oppression are terrible, so we don’t sugarcoat or pretend they don’t exist. In an ideal world, people wouldn’t die for these reasons every day. For us, it’s impossible to ignore, so yes, those themes are part of our metal.
When interviewing international bands on Groundcast, I usually ask about Brazilian bands. But for you, I’ll change it up: what bands are you currently listening to and would recommend? They can be from anywhere.
Leo: Man, there’s so much out there. Lately, I’ve been listening to Evil Invaders from Belgium, Flagelador, Violator, Kryptos from India, Ambush… plus the classics and influences we’ve always loved.
Finally, here’s your chance to leave a message for our readers in Brazil (and maybe beyond). Go for it!
Leo: Platforms like this, alongside bands, keep the underground alive. It’s a huge effort, and I commend you for it. Thank you so much.
To everyone: Everything about BKN is at www.breakdown-bkn.com.
See you out there! The underground lives!
Related Links
https://www.instagram.com/breakdown_bkn/