DROWNED is a Brazilian band formed in the middle of 90’s and started its rehearsals in 1998 with Fernando Lima (vocals), Thiago Rodrigues (guitars), Marcos Amorim (guitars), Rodrigo Nunes (bass) and Beto Loureiro (drums).
In December 1998, the band recorded "Where dark and light divide... ", its first demo, with three songs: Learn to obey, Words from the pit and Where dark and light divide... This first work, released in 1999, was widely promoted in Brazil and other countries. It deserved good specialized reviews and support of the public. The band also took part in some Brazilian Compilation-CDs, including Tribute to Sarcófago, via Cogumelo records (2000).
In March 2000, Thiago Rodrigues left the group, and in his place came Rafael Porto. The band followed its work, writing new songs, promoting its sound, making more concerts and looking for a Label to release its debut CD.
By mid-March, 2001, the band signed with Cogumelo Records to record its first CD, "BONEGRINDER". It was recorded during the months of April and May 2001, and the Label released it in mid-August 2001. BONEGRINDER was a landmark in the band’s career, which soon started its first Brazilian tour.
In July of 2002, DROWNED released BACK FROM HELL, an EP using a bunch of demo recordings, covers, new versions of old stuff, besides unpublished material and brand new songs.
In the end of February 2003, DROWNED recorded its second full work, BUTCHERY AGE. More aggressive, faster and more disturbing, BUTCHERY AGE was released in the end of June 2003 and a great tour began in July 26 of the same year, including 27 dates for the whole Brazil. However the band suffered the first line-up loss since its first album: Rafael Porto leaves the band in July 2004 and in his place entered Kerley Ribeiro.
In August of 2004 the band enters again in studio and started the recordings of BY THE GRACE OF EVIL, its third complete work, including the new guitarist's participation. Released in December 2004, the album shows a Drowned with the same roots, however more varied and more musical. Strong and melodic characteristics of the band since its formation are present, but the band grew in terms of composition of music.
AK-47, edited by Pablo Menna, was the first official video, on air in the main music programs directed to the Rock in Brazil. In tour, Drowned has played for the first time in Porão do Rock Festival 2005, about 30 thousand people in the capital of the Republic, Brasília. The band still participates, in November 2005, of the festival that commemorated Cogumelo Records' 25 years, in Belo Horizonte/MG. The concert was registered by the Rede Minas and it went on air especially dedicated to the event, in the program Alto-Falante TV Show. The audio recorded in that concert becomes the first virtual and live release of the group, EP BY THE EVIL ALIVE.
In March 2006, Rodrigo Nunes decides to leave the group and his substitute, after some tests, is chosen: Wesley Ribeiro.
In June 2006, the band enters in studio to record the album BIO-VIOLENCE, its fourth complete work of studio. Focusing current themes, above all violence and conflicts, imperialism and Brazil, the album brings a larger rhythmic variation and complexity in the arrangements, without opening hand of the heavy and aggressiveness characteristic of Drowned.
BIO-VIOLENCE, available in the stores on September 30, 2006, it had its first video registered still during the recording sessions: The fossil target. A clip of Bio-Violence track was also filmed in 2007. The tour started in Brazil and hit Europe in March 2008, playing in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria and The Netherlands.
Then, Drowned releases a new record, Box of Bones (Cogumelo Records), in June 2009, celebrating its 10th Anniversary, limited to 1000 copies.
In mid-2010, the band signed with Portuguese label Metal Soldiers Records and released a split-album with the Brazilian band Necroskinner. This was the first work of the band officially released in Europe. Named BONE'S OUT, the disc contains songs composed after the recordings of the album Bio-Violence.
In early 2011, Wesley Ribeiro left the band and was replaced by Rafael Porto. After about 6 years out of the band, the musician returned to Drowned, this time playing bass.
In March 2011, DROWNED recorded the double album BELLIGERENT, a full-length more technical and cohesive than its previous ones. The album was divided in two parts (II and I), released respectively in mid 2011 and 2012. BELLIGERENT part II came out first, by Cogumelo Records and distribution in the United States via GreyHaze Records. BELLIGERENT part I was first released in Europe, via Metal Soldiers Records and later distributed on other continents.
Soon after the release of the first part of the album, Drowned began a Brazilian Tour, playing again in all regions of the country until the end of 2016, when the band already had enough written material for the next studio effort.
In August 2017, Drowned, after a hiatus of approximately 5 years without registering unpublished songs, started a 5 month-long process of recording its new 7th studio album, simply called 7TH. All the elements of heavy, thrash and death metal music, styles that shaped the foundation of DROWNED, with modern approuch and dark lyrical context are presented. The album was released on June 15, 2018.
And so, Drowned returned to the road, to divulge its 7TH work in Brazil. During the tour, the band has made some celebrating concerts with original line-up. And so, emerged the idea of a full band reconfiguration, with 3 guitars and Rodrigo Nunes (original bass player) is back to the front.
A live album called “Damned Alive” is scheduled to be released in February 15, 2020 and new tour will come. And a new album too, of course.
