music
“Someone out there should kill the band,” André Henriques began in the song that anticipated Linda Martini’s seventh album. They are undoubtedly one of the most influential groups in Portuguese music at the beginning of the 21st century, responsible for introducing an entire generation, audience and musicians to the independent scene in Portugal. Since 2003, when they started out in the suburbs of Greater Lisbon, they have drawn crowds to electrifying concerts in the country’s most iconic venues and festivals — including a performance at gnration in 2017.
Released in early 2025, Passa-Montanhas is the band’s answer to what can still be done after two decades on the scene. It is also the first album with Rui Carvalho, the guitarist known as Filho da Mãe. Recorded by Santi García in Catalonia, Passa-Montanhas takes the members of Linda Martini on an inward journey to the beginning of their journey on the Sintra line and confronts the world around them. Their hardcore roots resurface; they are heavier and noisier than ever, but also quieter and more demure. The songs range between the calm and the power that the band has accustomed us to. A Mão Como A Maré, the track that closes Passa-Montanhas, makes this contrast even more evident; spanning more than ten minutes, we have to go back to the eponymous EP from 2006 – to the song Lição de Vôo nº1 – to find such a long piece in the quartet’s discography.
This new work shows what Linda Martini has accustomed us to: songs with sharp edges, both in sound and lyrics. But above all, it proves that the collective of André Henriques (vocals and guitar), Cláudia Guerreiro (bass), Hélio Morais (drums) and Rui Carvalho (guitar) is always looking for the next shout.
support portuguese republic – culture / general direction of the arts. rtcp – network of portuguese theaters and cinemas.
