Attomica

In 1985 São José dos Campos, Brazil, became the birthplace of Attomica when guitarist João Paulo Francis and drummer Mario Sanefuji launched the group. Vocalist Laerte Perr joined shortly afterward, followed by brothers Pyda on guitar and Andre Rod on bass. Their initial aim remained modest—to rank as the fastest heavy metal band on earth—yet rapid progress soon followed. The raw material and Portuguese-language songs of their first concerts and 1986 demo gave way to a more refined speed-thrash sound and English lyrics on the self-titled debut album issued in 1987.

The tiny Equinox label released that record, after which the musicians toured numerous major Brazilian cities and thereby enlarged their following. The experience, however, created tension with vocalist Perr, who left upon the tour’s completion. Ex-Thor singer Fabio Moreira took over the microphone, enabling work on new songs to continue. By the time Cogumelo Records released the 1989 sophomore album Limits of Insanity—a somewhat generic collection dominated by Bay Area thrash influences—Moreira had already departed, leaving bassist Andre Rod to assume vocal duties.

A second well-received Brazilian tour followed, yet the return to São José dos Campos again produced upheaval. Guitarist Pyda Rod exited next and was replaced by João Paulo’s brother, João Márcio Francis, formerly of Megaton. Former vocalist Fabio Moreira rejoined in time to appear on the third album, Disturbing the Noise, which arrived in 1991. Its ultra-speed style secured Attomica’s place among Brazil’s foremost thrash acts. The promotional clip for the single “Deathraiser” received airplay on several television video programs, including the Brazilian MTV affiliate. In addition to scheduling their own shows, the band was selected by German thrashers Kreator to open concerts in Brasilia and São Paulo.

Despite these accomplishments the members earned almost nothing and grew weary of the exhausting cycle of recording, touring, and replacing disgruntled musicians. Attomica therefore disbanded in 1994. Like most Brazilian heavy metal groups from the golden 1980s generation, however, they regrouped at the beginning of the new millennium, removed one of the two Ts from their name, and issued the live album Back and Alive in 2004.