Ratos de Porão on DeBaser: raw crossover, louder than your landlord

The Profile

Ratos de Porão are a Brazilian hardcore/crossover band from São Paulo, led by vocalist João Gordo. Emerging from the early 1980s punk scene, they fused hardcore with thrash, delivering politically charged records and notorious live shows that influenced peers and metal audiences worldwide.

Formed in São Paulo; early hardcore later crossed with thrash. Albums Brasil (1989) and Anarkophobia (1990) were released by Roadrunner (review notes Max Cavalera’s role in the signing). Just Another Crime... In Massacreland (1993) was produced by Alex Newport. Themes include violence in favelas, political corruption, war, and nuclear danger. They covered Sepultura’s “Biotech is Godzilla,” and Sepultura have performed “Crucificados pelo Sistema.” Live recordings include the split Ao Vivo recorded at Lira Paulistana in 1985. Lyrics appear in Portuguese and English across their catalogue.

Brazil’s Ratos de Porão are celebrated for a brutal hardcore/crossover blend, street-born lyrics, and uncompromising attitude. Reviews spotlight classic records (Crucificados pelo Sistema, Brasil, Anarkophobia), the ferocity of João Gordo’s vocals, and ties to Sepultura. Live documents and later works (Homem Inimigo do Homem) confirm their long-haul power. Expect concise, violent bursts with sharp social bite.

Notable Quotes

❝ Dirty, foul, rough: the Brazilian "Sewer Rats" represent the black scum of the most extreme, underground Hardcore.

❝ Born in 1980 in São Paulo, Brazil, they can be considered to this day among the best exponents of the Hardcore-Thrash crossover scene, which lived its golden period in the late 1980s.

❝ The violence of the Brazilian combo then fully surprises us; all tracks last around a minute

❝ A container full of violence and brutality, but never gratuitous or pointless; The "Ratos" are a concentrate of desperation, spite, alcohol, brawls, and the most unconditional love for music.