Introdicing: A doom metal quartet Pombajira from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

Photos by Rafaela Gomes

Pombajira is a four-piece doom metal band from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Formed in late 2017, Pombajira was created by Élson Rocha (ex-Grave Desecrator). Directly influenced by bands like Black Sabbath, Hellhammer, Venom, Pentagram, as well as some others of a similarly sinister nature. Soon enough, he roped in a drummer and also his old guitar-playing friend Blizzard. After a year of wasting time with drummers, T. Splatter (Velho, Lápide, Poem’s Death etc.) took up the drum duties.

Pombajira’s moniker derives from their Afro-Brazilian cultural roots and serves as a foundation to flirt with the enigmatic spiritual imagery and sometimes superstitious atmosphere which is around them. In addition to their personal experiences, the band is influenced by magick, rebellion, sarcasm, and darkness. Eternal underground rawness!

Pombajira released their self-titled debut album »Pombajira« on November 29th, 2019 via Blizzard Records in Brazil and Helldprod Records in Europe. Their second full-length album, titled »Sabbatical Spells«, was released on July 5th, 2025 via Red N’ Black Terror Records. »Sabbatical Spells« features eight tracks, including a cover of the Czech black metal veterans Root.

Much more elaborate and wicked than their self-titled debut, »Sabbatical Spells« catches the darkness of the streets, possession by the night, alcohol, perdition, spirits that guide us in solemn ceremony, life and death, love and hate. Also, irreverence and mockery against the established order and power. The burlesque and the profane. Get your copy HERE.

The band says about »Sabbatical Spells«: “This new album is heavier and more distinctive than their self-titled debut, released in 2019. The sounds carry undeniable traces of heavy metal and rock n roll from the 70s/80s, mainly Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, etc., as well as an undeniable and latent influence of black metal in the style of Venom, early Mayhem, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost and similar bands.”

Discography:
• »Pombajira« LP (Blizzard Records / Helldprod Records, 2019)
• »Sabbatical Spells« LP (Red N’ Black Terror Records, 2025)

Pombajira is:
Élson Rocha – Vocals
Blizzard – Guitars
Daniel Lessa – Bass
T. Splatter – Drums

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well