Centúrias typified the first generation of Brazilian heavy metal bands of the early '80s: underprivileged kids living in a country that was agonizing through the waning years of a stifling military dictatorship, armed with barely adequate instruments, and penning riffs and Portuguese lyrics based on what imported Deep Purple and Judas Priest albums they could get their hands on. The group first began rehearsing in 1980 and was playing its first gigs around their native São Paulo by the following year (with keyboardist Guina providing a Rainbow-like touch), eventually scraping up enough money to pay for some studio time and record a nine-song demo in 1983. This respectable range of experience would qualify Centúrias -- then comprised of vocalist Eduardo Camargo, guitarist Fausto, bassist Milani, and drummer Paulão Thomaz -- to become the first band chosen for inclusion in the S.P. Metal compilation of 1984, which helped propel the Brazilian heavy metal scene to the next level. Unfortunately, the members of Centúrias had grown quite fed up with each other by then so, after cutting another four-song demo in 1985, Camargo and Thomaz brought in new members Adriano Giudice (guitar) and Rubens Guarnieri (bass) to record 1986's Última Noite EP. The band then broke up entirely, but persistent drummer Paulão would soon resurrect Centúrias with the help of vocalist César "Cachorrão" Zanelli (ex-Santuário), guitarist Marcos Patriota, and bassist Ricardo Ravache (both of them ex-Harppia). This lineup finally recorded Centúrias' one and only full-length album, 1988's Ninja, but it would arrive in stores at a time when its trad-metal style had been rendered obsolete by younger and fiercer Brazilian acts such as Sepultura and Viper -- who also sang in English. Centúrias broke up again a short time later, but has continued to perform the odd reunion gig over the years. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
