Press release –
The band’s new track blends heavy metal, history, and reflections on the formation of South American nations.
Armahda, a band known for turning chapters of Brazilian history into music, has released “Silver Tears,” the third single from their upcoming album. The track revisits the events of the Cisplatine War (1825–1828), a decisive conflict between newly independent Brazil and the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, which led to the foundation of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. With a section sung in Spanish, the song pays direct homage to the Uruguayan people and offers a pluralistic view of the past.
Watch the lyric video on YouTube:
Featuring Maurício Guimarães (vocals), Renato Domingos (guitar), Alexandre Dantas (guitar), João Pires (drums), and Paulo Chopps (bass), ARMAHDA returns with powerful stories and songs that captivate from start to finish.
“Armahda has always been into showing that Brazilian culture is also shaped by the history of other South American peoples,” says guitarist Renato Domingos. The track portrays the moment when Emperor Dom Pedro I insisted on holding the Banda Oriental — a strategic region along the Río de la Plata estuary — despite internal opposition and economic limitations. A symbol of the young Brazilian empire’s geopolitical ambition.
The song’s title comes from a powerful poetic image: “the River Plate cried silver tears.” Through this metaphor, the lyrics explore the tension between the desire for dominance and the fight for freedom. While Brazil sent troops, the Orientales united under the leadership of Juan Antonio Lavalleja and the Thirty-Three Orientals, who crossed the river and led a successful patriotic uprising. “Renato’s guitar solo even includes a section of the Uruguayan national anthem. I think folks over there will really appreciate it,” says vocalist Maurício Guimarães.
Following Brazil’s defeat and diplomatic deadlock, British mediation resulted in the region’s independence, officially recognized as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in 1828. “This song, like others in Armahda’s career, shows how Brazilian history is deeply intertwined with the histories of other South American peoples,” adds Renato. Including Spanish lyrics is not only a gesture of respect to Uruguayan culture but also a commitment to Latin American integration through art.
Maurício emphasizes the song’s reflective intent: “May this episode — which took place in what is no longer Brazilian territory — help revive the history of our sister nations and encourage us to reinterpret the term ‘Libertad’.” The song speaks not only to the past but also to the present, inviting listeners to reflect on the complexities of national identity and the scars left by conflict.
The upcoming album goes even further. One track will address the tragedy of the Charrúa Indigenous people, allies of Artigas who were exterminated by then-president Fructuoso Rivera — the same man hailed as a hero of Uruguayan independence. “He summoned the Charrúas for a supposed mission to defend the homeland, but it was a lie. When they arrived, he massacred almost all of them and even sent four captives to France to be displayed in circuses. It’s horrifying,” recounts Maurício.
Staying true to their artistic vision, Armahda doesn’t glorify perfect heroes or blindly celebrate victories. “There are no saints in these stories, right?” Maurício observes. Their goal is to show both sides, probe into wounds, and face history critically and empathetically — whether it’s Brazilian episodes or those of neighboring nations. “We’re not just lifting up their patriotic moments — we’re also pointing fingers at their flaws, just like we do with our own history.”
“Silver Tears” is now available on all major streaming platforms and includes an official lyric video on YouTube. While the new album’s release date hasn’t been announced yet, it promises to continue exploring Latin America’s historical echoes with weight, sensitivity, and awareness.
