There has never been a point in time where post-rock’s growth was more conspicuous, with the emergence of new projects almost on a daily basis, and with the exponential increase of its auditory and the diversity of the listeners that comprise it.

This is why articles like this that appear on Arctic Drones magazine are, we think, of great significance these days: to debunk to some extent the idea that post-rock is slowly walking towards its executioner in this presumed and metaphorical death row, and to introduce to the audience new and exciting projects that have a tendency to fly under the radar. With this particular article, we’d like to invite you on an inside tour through the Portuguese post-rock scene, which is presently, in our unassuming opinion, one of the most interesting and (enigmatically) latent movements in all Europe.

Portugal was once a land of explorers, of great tales of adventure and dauntless odysseys through the seas and the unknown, and whose deeds had a tremendous impact on the relations between the world’s civilizations and on the evolution of the human race itself. The profound connection to the past and the memories of a better time or place is, till this day, something quite present among the Portuguese people and in how they live their days. This enduring state of nostalgia is rooted in them in such a way that not only did they create a specific musical genre – fado – to solely sing about the past and the melancholy of lost loves and gone moments, but also invented the (untranslatable) word itself – saudade – to describe that sense of yearning and incompleteness towards something or someone.

The identity of Portuguese post-rock conveys much of those sentiments: it is predominantly influenced by the emotionalism and introspection that comes from that longing contemplation and wistful approach to life and, through that, it tries to explore and comprehend the essence of the human experience a bit better, as well as the nature of everything that surround us, and everything that could be above us and beyond our big terrestrial home. And if it is true that the world as we know it began to be discovered by the Portuguese explorers, it is no less true that the Portuguese post-rockers could take us on a new grand otherworldly journey; one that may bring us closer to the stars and strengthen our connection with the cosmos and, thereby, our own existence.

Planeta Post-Rock Words by André Ribeiro /

BEFORE AND AFTER SCIENCE

“The only thing you need to know” about Before and After Science is that there are cryptic universes and echoes of atmospheric grandeur yet to be explored; their music will take you there.

Vital Signs Of A Fallen World by Before And After Science

Origin: Lamego / Porto (2011)

Genre: Post-rock, Post-metal, Instrumental

Members: André Lobão, Nuno Lobão, Pedro Campos, Ricardo Baptista

Discography: Vital Signs of a Fallen World (2013), Relics & Cycles (TBR, 2016)



More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Influences: Brian Eno, Caspian, Explosions in the Sky, If These Trees Could Talk, Russian CirclesMore Info:

CATACOMBE

Out of this Catacomb(e), a glorious powerhouse of emotive discharges arises, blending placid instants of melancholy with climatic waves of the most violent and haunting beauty.

Quidam by Catacombe

Origin: Vale de Cambra / Porto (2007)

Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, Experimental

Members: Filipe Ferreira, Gil Cerqueira, Pedro Melo Alves, Pedro Sousa

Discography: Memoirs (2008), Kinetic (2010), Quidam (2014)



More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Influences: Caspian, Cult of Luna, Explosions in the Sky, Red SparowesMore Info:

FIRST BREATH AFTER COMA

First Breath After Coma have fragmented the post-rock foundations and steered each segment through an indie sonic disposition of eclectic sensorial surges and eloquently orchestrated moments of near-silence.

The Misadventures Of Anthony Knivet by First Breath After Coma



Genre: Post-rock, Indie rock, Ambient rock

Members: João Marques, Pedro Marques, Roberto Caetano, Rui Gaspar, Telmo Soares

Discography: The Misadventures of Anthony Knivet (2013), Drifter (2016)

Influences: Efterklang, Explosions in the Sky, Ólafur Arnalds, Radiohead, Sigur Rós, This Will Destroy You

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Leiria (2012)Genre: Post-rock, Indie rock, Ambient rockMembers: João Marques, Pedro Marques, Roberto Caetano, Rui Gaspar, Telmo SoaresDiscography: The Misadventures of Anthony Knivet (2013), Drifter (2016)Influences: Efterklang, Explosions in the Sky, Ólafur Arnalds, Radiohead, Sigur Rós, This Will Destroy YouMore Info:

HOMEM EM CATARSE

Not only do we feel every shred of Afonso’s emotional catharsis in his delicate picking, but are lured into emancipating our own selves, such are the wistful images and contemplations that engulf us.

Homem em Catarse EP by Homem em Catarse



Genre: Post-rock, Folk, Ambient, Indie

Members: Afonso Dorido

Discography: Homem em Catarse (2013), Guarda-Rios (2015)

Influences: Dead Combo, Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Rós, Sufjan Stevens, Tortoise

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Barcelos (2013)Genre: Post-rock, Folk, Ambient, IndieMembers: Afonso DoridoDiscography: Homem em Catarse (2013), Guarda-Rios (2015)Influences: Dead Combo, Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Rós, Sufjan Stevens, TortoiseMore Info:

IMPLODING STARS

If sound could propagate in space and we could hear a sonata of stellar collapsing events, it’d probably strike as being just another one of Imploding Stars’ mighty empyrean creations.

A Mountain & a Tree by Imploding Stars



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, Ambient

Members: Diogo Teixeira, Élio Mateus, Francisco Carvalho, Jorge Cruz, Rafael Lemos

Discography: Young Route (2012), A Mountain and a Tree (2014)

Influences: Explosions in the Sky, Caspian, Mono

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Guimarães / Braga (2011)Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, AmbientMembers: Diogo Teixeira, Élio Mateus, Francisco Carvalho, Jorge Cruz, Rafael LemosDiscography: Young Route (2012), A Mountain and a Tree (2014)Influences: Explosions in the Sky, Caspian, MonoMore Info:

INDIGNU

Embraced by the deep nostalgic state of saudade, indignu take us on a poetic and reminiscent odyssey to the strange lands of the human experience, exploring the very essence of our condition and surroundings.

Ophelia by indignu [lat.]



Genre: Post-rock, Classical, Ambient, Shoegaze

Members: Afonso Dorido, Graça Carvalho, Helena Silva, Jimmy Moom, Mateus Nogueira, Paulo Miranda

Discography: Fetus in Fetu (2010), Odyssea (2013), Ophelia (2016)

Influences: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mono, Múm, Sigur Rós

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Barcelos (2004)Genre: Post-rock, Classical, Ambient, ShoegazeMembers: Afonso Dorido, Graça Carvalho, Helena Silva, Jimmy Moom, Mateus Nogueira, Paulo MirandaDiscography: Fetus in Fetu (2010), Odyssea (2013), Ophelia (2016)Influences: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mono, Múm, Sigur RósMore Info:

JUSEPH

Throughout their aural journey, and through the dynamics of hefty riffs and sharp melodies, Juseph offer a cohesive and seamless poise between chaos and quietude.

Novae by JUSEPH



Genre: Post-rock, Post-metal, Instrumental rock

Members: Leandro Sousa Bastos, Marcos Martins, Pedro Bastos, Pedro Simões, Rafael Soares

Discography: Novae (2013)

Influences: Cult of Luna, Isis, Pelican, Russian Circles

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Vale de Cambra (2007)Genre: Post-rock, Post-metal, Instrumental rockMembers: Leandro Sousa Bastos, Marcos Martins, Pedro Bastos, Pedro Simões, Rafael SoaresDiscography: Novae (2013)Influences: Cult of Luna, Isis, Pelican, Russian CirclesMore Info:

KATABATIC

Katabatic delve into the weightiness and depth of disquieting psychedelic ambiances, exploiting them as an innate consequence of the caustic and robust nature of their guitars.

Heavy Water by Katabatic



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental rock, Prog, Experimental

Members: João Machado, José Ferreira, Tiago Luís

Discography: Heavy Water (2012), Weighs Like a Nightmare on the Brains of the Living (2014)

Influences: Deftones, Godspeed You! Black Emperor

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Lisbon (2007)Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental rock, Prog, ExperimentalMembers: João Machado, José Ferreira, Tiago LuísDiscography: Heavy Water (2012), Weighs Like a Nightmare on the Brains of the Living (2014)Influences: Deftones, Godspeed You! Black EmperorMore Info:

LA FLAG

Let’s face it: asparagus are a disgusting, devilish creation of the Antichrist himself; but we’ll be damned if la flag’s groovy driven melodies, bulky peaks and thrilling nuances of pace don’t make them sound tasty.

spargelzeit by la flag



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental

Members: Nuno Carreira, Ricardo Farinha, Tiago Bento, Tito Carreno

Discography: Spargelzeit (2014)

Influences: Do Make Say Think, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, Riding Pânico, Sonic Youth

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Lisbon / Leiria (2014)Genre: Post-rock, InstrumentalMembers: Nuno Carreira, Ricardo Farinha, Tiago Bento, Tito CarrenoDiscography: Spargelzeit (2014)Influences: Do Make Say Think, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, Riding Pânico, Sonic YouthMore Info:

LINDA MARTINI

The closest thing Portugal has of a modern musical cult; this act of faith in Linda Martini’s songs were born by the electricity and urgency of their canorous instrumental convulsions and poignantly sung lyrics.



Genre: Post-rock, Alternative rock, Punk rock, Indie rock

Members: André Henriques, Cláudia Guerreiro, Hélio Morais, Pedro Geraldes

Discography: Linda Martini (2005), Olhos de Mongol (2006), Marsupial (2008), Casa Ocupada (2010), Turbo Lento (2013), Sirumba (2016)

Influences: Grizzly Bear, Sonic Youth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Mars Volta, Tim Maia

More Info: Twitter || Facebook Origin: Lisbon (2003)Genre: Post-rock, Alternative rock, Punk rock, Indie rockMembers: André Henriques, Cláudia Guerreiro, Hélio Morais, Pedro GeraldesDiscography: Linda Martini (2005), Olhos de Mongol (2006), Marsupial (2008), Casa Ocupada (2010), Turbo Lento (2013), Sirumba (2016)Influences: Grizzly Bear, Sonic Youth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Mars Volta, Tim MaiaMore Info:

MEMOIRS OF A SECRET EMPIRE

Memoirs of a Secret Empire push us into this frantic vertigo of expansive and imposing walls of distortion, and we couldn’t care less about what’s beneath our free-falling bodies.

Memoirs of a Secret Empire EP by MEMOIRS OF A SECRET EMPIRE



Genre: Post-rock, Post-metal, Experimental, Doom

Members: Henrique Bessa, Ivo Madeira, João Pedro Amorim

Discography: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2013), Vertigo (2016)

Influences: Cult of Luna, Explosions in the Sky, Isis, Mogwai, Russian Circles

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Vouzela (2012)Genre: Post-rock, Post-metal, Experimental, DoomMembers: Henrique Bessa, Ivo Madeira, João Pedro AmorimDiscography: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2013), Vertigo (2016)Influences: Cult of Luna, Explosions in the Sky, Isis, Mogwai, Russian CirclesMore Info:

OKKUR

If This Will Destroy You and If These Trees Could Talk made the sweet act of love and had a kid, that prodigal child’s name would be Okkur, an overpowering gem of contemporary post-rock.

Whispering Mountain by Okkur



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, Ambient

Members: Carlos Ferreira, João Salgado, Miguel Ângelo, Vitor Fernandes

Discography: Whispering Mountain (2014)

Influences: Caspian, Explosions in the Sky, Hammock, Sigur Rós, This Will Destroy You

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Barcelos (2012)Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, AmbientMembers: Carlos Ferreira, João Salgado, Miguel Ângelo, Vitor FernandesDiscography: Whispering Mountain (2014)Influences: Caspian, Explosions in the Sky, Hammock, Sigur Rós, This Will Destroy YouMore Info:

RIDING PÂNICO

The instrumental opulence of Riding Pânico, engineered by voltaic harmonic textures and melancholic landscapes, appeals to a balanced expansion of our mind and senses.

Riding Pânico – Lady Cobra by ragingplanet



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, Experimental

Members: João Pereira, José Penachoe, Fábio Jevelim, Makoto Yagyu, Miguel Abelaira

Discography: Riding Pânico (2007), Lady Cobra (2008), Homem Elefante (2013)

Influences: Esbjörn Svensson Trio, The Mercury Program, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, White Denim, Youth Lagoon

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Lisbon (2004)Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, ExperimentalMembers: João Pereira, José Penachoe, Fábio Jevelim, Makoto Yagyu, Miguel AbelairaDiscography: Riding Pânico (2007), Lady Cobra (2008), Homem Elefante (2013)Influences: Esbjörn Svensson Trio, The Mercury Program, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, White Denim, Youth LagoonMore Info:

TELEPHONY

It is a thing of rare beauty to witness Tiago examining the elements and sceneries in our nature and interpreting them through the dreamy and moving soundscapes of his cinematic compositions.

Mayday by Telephony



Genre: Post-rock, Ambient, Instrumental

Members: Tiago Araújo

Discography: Mayday (2015)

Influences: Explosions in the Sky, Hammock, Sigur Rós

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Barcelos (2015)Genre: Post-rock, Ambient, InstrumentalMembers: Tiago AraújoDiscography: Mayday (2015)Influences: Explosions in the Sky, Hammock, Sigur RósMore Info:

THE ALLSTAR PROJECT

Fasten your seatbelts, people: The Allstar Project will take you on a grand celestial voyage, through spine-chilling melodies and an overall cosmic tempest of the most refined and tailor-made post-rock.

Into the Ivory Tower by The Allstar Project



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental

Members: Filipe Rocha, João Santos, Nuno Filipe, Tiago Carvalho, Tiago Veloso

Discography: Berlengas Connection (2003), Something to do with Death (2006), Your Reward… A Bullet (2007), Into the Ivory Tower (2011)

Influences: Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Spacemen 3, Pink Floyd

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Leiria (2001)Genre: Post-rock, InstrumentalMembers: Filipe Rocha, João Santos, Nuno Filipe, Tiago Carvalho, Tiago VelosoDiscography: Berlengas Connection (2003), Something to do with Death (2006), Your Reward… A Bullet (2007), Into the Ivory Tower (2011)Influences: Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Spacemen 3, Pink FloydMore Info:

THE LAST DAY OF WINTER

The Last Day of Winter suggest a somber and conflicting density in their instrumentalism, where the dichotomy of hope and despair reflects itself throughout the entire listening experience.

Bears by The Last Day of Winter



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental

Members: Bruno Maia, João Bonifácio, Joel Tavares

Discography: Bears (2016)

Influences: Catacombe, Cult of Luna, Mono, Pelican, Vangelis

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Ovar (2015)Genre: Post-rock, InstrumentalMembers: Bruno Maia, João Bonifácio, Joel TavaresDiscography: Bears (2016)Influences: Catacombe, Cult of Luna, Mono, Pelican, VangelisMore Info:

THEN THEY FLEW

The musical scenario painted by Then They Flew is one of heterogeneity: complex instrumental structures that harmoniously embodies hectic tempos, genteel passages of stillness and overwhelming pinnacles.

Stable as the Earth Stops Spinning by Then They Flew



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental rock

Members: Bernardo Sampaio, Gonçalo Paiva, Isabela Nóbrega, Marcos Janela, Ricardo Almeida

Discography: Stable as the Earth Stops Spinning (2015)

Influences: Caspian, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Jakob, Mogwai, Mono, Sigur Rós

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Lisbon (2013)Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental rockMembers: Bernardo Sampaio, Gonçalo Paiva, Isabela Nóbrega, Marcos Janela, Ricardo AlmeidaDiscography: Stable as the Earth Stops Spinning (2015)Influences: Caspian, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Jakob, Mogwai, Mono, Sigur RósMore Info:

THIS PENGUIN CAN FLY

This Penguin Can (make you) Fly under the aegis of a tuneful and vibrant guitar work, dance to rhythmic and electrifying tones, and leave you with a broad sense of satisfaction when all is said and done.

All Polar Bears Are Left Handed by This Penguin Can Fly



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, Prog

Members: Jorge Ferreira, José Gomes, Miguel Azevedo

Discography: Broken Hearts Are for Assholes, Outer Space Is for Heroes (2014)

Influences: And so I Watch You from Afar, Mogwai, Russian Circles, Tool

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Braga (2011)Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, ProgMembers: Jorge Ferreira, José Gomes, Miguel AzevedoDiscography: Broken Hearts Are for Assholes, Outer Space Is for Heroes (2014)Influences: And so I Watch You from Afar, Mogwai, Russian Circles, ToolMore Info:

VIRCATOR

Vircator invite us to join them in outer space, where they comfortably roam and dig into progressive reverberations and an introspective sidereal milieu, as if the stars were their only true home.

Vircator by Vircator



Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, Experimental

Members: Gustavo Ribeiro, Marcelo Peixoto, Paulo Noronha, Pedro Carvalho

Discography: Vircator (2014), At the Void’s Edge (2016)

Influences: Baroness, God Is an Astronaut, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Tool

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Viana do Castelo (2012)Genre: Post-rock, Instrumental, ExperimentalMembers: Gustavo Ribeiro, Marcelo Peixoto, Paulo Noronha, Pedro CarvalhoDiscography: Vircator (2014), At the Void’s Edge (2016)Influences: Baroness, God Is an Astronaut, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Doors, ToolMore Info:

WHEN THE ANGELS BREATHE

There’s a startlingly warm and ethereal feeling echoing out of David’s filmic and dreamlike atmospheres; such inspiring and imagetic emotions are quite simple the utmost gift a musician can offer us.

The Hunter by When The Angels Breathe [ WTAB ]



Genre: Post-rock, Ambient, Noise

Members: David Francisco

Discography: The Wolf (2014), The Hunter (2015)

Influences: Caspian, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Mono, pg.lost, The American Dollar

More Info: Bandcamp || Facebook Origin: Lisbon (2013)Genre: Post-rock, Ambient, NoiseMembers: David FranciscoDiscography: The Wolf (2014), The Hunter (2015)Influences: Caspian, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Mono, pg.lost, The American DollarMore Info: