Ego Kill Talent

Deriving their name from the proverb "too much ego will kill your talent," the Brazilian outfit Ego Kill Talent formed in Sao Paulo in 2014. Their music fuses heavy modern rock with pop elements, supported by strong instrumental skill, and the group gained notice for exchanging instruments fluidly during live sets. International recognition arrived in 2017 via their self-titled debut album, promoted through prominent appearances alongside System of a Down, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Metallica. The 2021 single "The Call" reached mainstream rock audiences and appeared on the follow-up album The Dance Between Extremes. The 2023 EP Call Us by Her Name introduced vocalist Emmily Barreto to the recorded lineup.

The Sao Paulo collective originally drew members connected to Udora, Sepultura, Reação em Cadeia, and Sayowa, including vocalist Jonathan Correa, bassist/guitarist Theo Van Der Loo, bassist/guitarist Niper Boaventura, drummer/bassist Raphael Miranda, and guitarist/drummer Jean Dolabella. Their first single, "Sublimated," surfaced in 2015 and helped secure a Lollapalooza Brazil performance that led to a BMG contract. The self-titled debut arrived in 2017, followed by support dates with System of a Down and Within Temptation plus festival bills at Rock in Rio, Download Madrid, Rock Am Ring, and Nova Rock. In 2018 the band brought its live show to the United States and began work on the next album at Dave Grohl's Studio 606. Early previews came in 2020 through the singles "Now!" and "Lifeporn," with further tracking completed at Foo Fighters' 606 Studios. Issued in 2021, The Dance Between Extremes contained the mainstream rock hit "The Call" and featured contributions from John Dolmayan of System of a Down, Roy Mayorga of Stone Sour, and skateboarder Bob Burnquist. Jonathan Correa departed in 2022, with Emmily Barreto stepping in to make her recorded debut on the 2023 EP Call Us by Her Name.