Underground rock band Wildchains is on a mission to deliver change in the Portuguese music scene with a boundary-free sound that embodies the classic rock’n’roll spirit and they describe as “raw, genuine and energetic.”
The Braga quintet of Rangel (vocals), Rei and Wizro (guitars), Louro (bass) and Tuito (drums) often encountered each other while playing in various underground projects. But when Wizro’s previous band came to an end, the five musicians came together in 2021 to make something meaningful in the rock scene.
And on the sound they’ve crafted, Wizro told us: “Our music is an authentic reflection of who we were during the creative process, capturing our emotions and experiences. The premise of our band is to have rock as our foundation, as it’s what unites us. Catchy riffs, powerful vocals and great grooves are our core essence, but the fact is we’re all about being true to ourselves, free from genre constraints, so who knows what to expect next?”
Our latest taste of this is Wildchains’ debut EP The Underground Inn, which was released in September. It opens up with a darting riff that starts off the title track, which continues under laid-back vocals before the riff kicks on with lively drums. It drops into laid-back verses that flow into an atmospheric chorus, then a cool little guitar solo feeds into another chorus.
That’s followed by Chronophobia, which opens with a lick that sets up an energetic vocals that begin “I gotta live my fuckin’ way, I got no more time to fall, I don’t need a cage to stay, I’m no fuckin’ animal.” The riff returns to break up the verses, then the slow line “I got a one way ticket” gives way to a delicious guitar solo. Check it out in the video here:
Next up is Chaotic Needs, which starts with a bumbling bass and the chorus vocals “These chaotic needs are keeping me alive like wood on burning fire,” then a cheeky riff drops into a laid-back verse. A big chunky riff jumps in to set up another mellow verse, before a laid-back then more intense repeat of the chorus vocals before coming to a more energetic conclusion.
The EP concludes with the more laid-back I Lie and Waterfall, which wraps up with a funky guitar solo that you can check out in the video here:
On the EP, Wizro said: “Releasing The Underground Inn has been an incredibly humbling experience. The support we’ve received from our people has been overwhelming. However, it’s important to acknowledge that this release was bittersweet, as it took a different path than our initial plan for a full album.
“Along our journey, we encountered unexpected challenges, including encounters with dubious ‘producers’, empty promises and fake initiatives. Instead of letting these challenges discourage us, we confronted them head-on, using them as sources of inspiration for this release. The title track, Underground Inn, embodies the essence of these experiences, and while each song in this EP carries its own unique narrative, they all revolve around this central theme. For those who have yet to listen, expect a blend of infectious grooves, powerful vocals, and thought-provoking lyrics that explore real and controversial themes we experienced as a ‘band trying to make it.'”
The Wildchains sound draws on a wide range of influences that converge on common ground like Queen, Avenged Sevenfold, Foo Fighters, Vulfpeck and IDLES.
And on what inspires them to write music, Louro tells us: “We draw inspiration from our own experiences, the world around us, and the issues that deeply matter to us. In The Underground Inn, we address real and controversial themes within the Portuguese music scene, shedding light on corruption and advocating for greater support and fairness within the industry. At the same time, we also celebrate positive aspects, such as the dedication and passion shared by artists like us who continue to chase their dreams.”
We’ve only covered a handful of Portuguese bands, but on the topic of their local scene Louro added: “Well, there’s a few reasons why we don’t see as many Portuguese bands in the spotlight. There are various challenges, including corruption, fake initiatives, and barriers set up by certain musician circles and agencies within the Portuguese music scene. These obstacles can make it difficult to stay true to our musical goals.
“Additionally, the rock music community in Portugal is relatively weaker compared to genres like metal and others, which often have a stronger culture of mutual support among artists. However, this is one of our key motivations for making a change in our scene.”
Wildchains’ debut EP The Underground is available now. The band have gigs coming up this year and into next year, including the Art Beat Coollective in Aguas Santas on 6 January, Roterdão Club in Lisbon on 19 January and Póvoa Music Fest in Póvoa de Santa Iria on 20 January. They’re also already working on new music, so keep your ear out for more from them very shortly.
You can follow Wildchains on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Soundcloud and YouTube.
GigRadar 
what a band!
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