On their first visit to Lisbon, the Brazilian band Papangu transformed the Musicbox in a true sound laboratory. On August 13, 2025, the audience witnessed an intense and visceral performance exactly as the press release promised, and we at Metal Junkbox were there to bring you all the details of this unforgettable night.
The show was a true journey without sound limits. Anchored in progressive rock and experimental metal, the band intertwined influences ranging from the strength of Sepultura to the inventiveness of Hermeto Pascoal, passing through the boldness of King Crimson and reaching pulses of Northeastern rhythms, where the accent and cultural identity blended with the dense and enveloping atmosphere of the sound. The result was a show of contrasts: intense, heavy moments alternated with subtle, almost cinematic passages, transporting a large part of the Brazilian audience directly back to their homeland - even if only for a moment.
On a small stage, the band managed to show all its greatness through a gigantic sound that filled every space of the Musicbox, not only because of the brutal technical quality of the musicians but also because of the enormous charisma of those who constantly interacted with the audience, sometimes teaching part of the lyrics, sometimes asking for help in the chorus, or even calling their friend Pedro directly from the audience to collaborate with his tambourine, once again mixing all the Brazilianness that Papangu carries with a progressive metal that will leave anyone hallucinating.
Songs like "Maracutaia", "Boitatá (Incidente na pia batismal da Capela de Bom Jesus dos Aflitos)" and "Acende a Luz: I. Alquimia", all from the most recent album Lampião Rei - acclaimed by critics and the public alike - stood out and showed all their strength in a live version. By the end of the performance, it was clear why Papangu had already been tipped as "the must-see show of 2025". More than just a concert, it was an immersive, sensory and breathtaking experience, which left its mark in Lisbon as one of the most creative bands on the contemporary Brazilian scene.
Artists: Papangu
English 
Portuguese