The experiences of childhood can have a profound effect upon our adult life. Our early memories might trigger pleasure, nostalgia or embarrassment; but in some cases, they may be so traumatic they leave us scarred for life. Should we attempt to erase those memories, existing in a condition of numb denial, or should we face up to the demons in our past in order to find wholeness and freedom in the present? This question clearly resonates deeply with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Caio Claro, founding member of Drowning Steps, who has already released two albums and two EPs exploring this theme, viewed through the eyes of a character whose obsession with the past makes him struggle to connect with reality. The band’s latest album, The Bravery of a Tireless Mind describes this character’s journey back into childhood, in order to collect and reconstruct the scattered fragments of his life and to seek redemption for his past mistakes.
In 2016 Caio formed Drowning Steps as a solo project based in Marilia, Brazil, joined two years later by producer and keyboardist Tiago Pierucci. On this album they are supported by drummer Fabricio Mendonça and bassist Leonardo Gonçalves. Marcos Duran plays electric guitar on tracks 1-4 and a selection of guest vocalists represent the friends who aid the character on his quest. The musical style blends elements of classic 70’s progressive rock with a more contemporary prog/pop crossover style, contrasting atmospheric, melancholic lyricism with heavier passages of dark, obsessive intensity.
The opening track, The Angels and the Playground, begins with the sound of pen on paper suggesting the protagonist’s frustrated attempts to record his past. The next four minutes of music are meltingly beautiful. Ghostly reverberated keyboards and fluid acoustic guitar introduce a descending sequence of nostalgic chords, as the character explains that he has returned to a familiar place from his childhood. Aided by some of his childhood friends, the “angels” from the track title, he is ready to journey back into the past once more. A tender duet of layered vocals, over a sonorous orchestration of strings, organ and acoustic guitar, is followed by a heartfelt solo from Robin Peachey’s subtly emotive vocals (Returned to the Earth), supported by warmly emotive strings and Fabricio’s gently pulsing drums. This time the protagonist’s dangerous journey into his memories will not be made alone.
The traumatic descent into the past is triggered by the see-saw in the playground where the friends meet, providing a metaphor for the protagonist’s turbulent memories. Against a battery of syncopated stabs, distorted guitars introduce a zigzagging, off-beat theme which is taken up by stereophonic vocals. On the words “Then we went up/Then we went down” the defiant rhythms and increasingly strident vocals give the music a violent and aggressive character. In the blistering instrumental that follows a series of spikily abrasive themes are hammered out in an unrelenting procession of ever-increasing dissonance. An eerie passage for piano and synths, based on the opening chord sequence, brings a moment of reflection before the see-saw theme thunders back in. Finally, when it all seems too overwhelming to bear, the character wearily emerges into the present, gratefully recalling how the helping hands of his friends “were there to gather every part of me”.
The brief, pop-infused Fragments of a Lifetime features the warm and fresh female vocals of Láis Gonzalez. The protagonist, exhausted after his venture into the past, drifts in and out of dreams but his friend reminds him that the world around them is too beautiful to miss. A simple song in four verses unfolds over an upbeat drum groove and a sequence of four chords in a relaxed major key. In verse three Láis takes over lead vocals and the accompaniment changes from intimate guitar and keys to a punchier full band sound. A bright synth melody reinforces the playful atmosphere, but a jazzy guitar break leads the track to a somewhat abrupt ending on an unresolved chord, sounding a note of warning.
Placed centrally within the album, The Nod occupies a pivotal point with the forces of light and darkness striving to gain transcendence, symbolised within the lyrics as a journey from dusk to dawn. The track was first released in 2024 and the guest vocals here are those of Erlend Viken (Soup and Giantsky). The gentle opening feels like a piano ballad with its lilting melody in 6/8 time, lush harmonies and velvet-smooth vocals from Caio. As night falls, the solo piano is joined by brooding synths and layers of poignant vocal harmony. For verse three the mood, like the sky, darkens. Drums pound ominously and a heavily portentous theme on snarling distorted guitars heralds the change to a more sinister minor key flavour. Erlend’s haunting vocals bring a melancholy edge to the music, enhancing the ambiguity of the lyrics. As the sun rises the protagonist acknowledges the importance of both light and darkness. The ominous mood returns, its main theme now serving as a foundation for the furious climax that follows. Additional layers of instrumentation are gradually added, pumping up the volume and culminating in a ferocious guitar break from Marcos Duran bringing the track to a breathless conclusion.
In Waiting For Redemption we begin once again with warmly emotional vocals and a simple piano accompaniment, but doubt soon sets in. The music moves to a sinister minor key, a rumble of thunder on piano, pounding drums and wailing synths mark the transition from present to past and warn us of stormy skies ahead. Once more the forces of darkness are unleashed, symbolised by a relentless galloping rhythm on piano and drums. Hot on its heels comes a slower, sinuous theme on darkly distorted guitars, bass and low register piano. Caio’s tortured vocals express the character’s inner struggle as a mysterious voice urges him to
Between past and future there are no more sparks
Run ahead and embrace your life
I want you to go wherever there is light
Mysteriously reverberant keyboards and vocals mark the transition back to the present moment and a breathtaking synth solo from Tiago feels like riding the seas of time. But the demons from his dream pursue our protagonist into reality as the music takes another headlong flight into chaos and nightmare. He cannot escape the darkness; only by facing and embracing his past can he find the freedom and redemption he seeks.
Life Handed Me the Map closes the album on a reflective note. Electronically manipulated guitar and drums establish a gentle sense of onward movement, with echoing vocals, strings and twinkling piano maintaining the magical, dreamlike atmosphere. The music becomes more animated as the character reconnects with his boyhood self, but ends peacefully with hypnotically repeating patterns on synths and organ. The album closes as it began, with the sound of pen on paper. But this time the writer lays down his pen with a sense of achievement. He is ready for the next stage of his journey.
Lasting just over 37 minutes this album is concise but intense in its impact, delivering a powerfully compelling account of a profound psychological journey. Beguiling melodies, luscious instrumental textures and poignant harmonies battle with passages of dark, metal-infused ferocity fuelled by rhythmically incisive drumming and Leonardo’s robustly supportive bass. The keyboards are superb, with layered symphonic soundscapes and atmospheric piano work complemented by some sizzling electric guitar solos. Caio’s versatile and heartfelt vocals convey every mood of the protagonist’s emotional journey and the three guest vocalists lend additional colour and variety. The mix is clear and spacious, allowing all the instrumental colours to shine through. With their vivid stylistic contrasts and passionate delivery, Drowning Steps are emerging as one of the most interesting progressive bands on the scene. If you enjoy expertly performed, immersive and atmospheric music with a strong emotional connection, check out their excellent back catalogue and then settle down for this next episode of their compelling psychological drama. It just might be the most exciting yet!
TRACK LISTING
01. The Angels and the Playground (15:49)
02. Fragments of a Lifetime (3:31)
03. The Nod (5:41)
04. Waiting for Redemption (9:19)
05. Life Handed Me the Map (2:45)
Total Time – 37:05
MUSICIANS
Caio Claro – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (1), Electric Guitar (2 & 5), Arrangements, Sound Manipulation
Tiago Pierucci – Keyboards, Synthesixers, Organ, Effects, Wah-Wah Guitar (2), Arrangements, Sound Manipulation
Marcos Duran – Electric Guitar (1-4)
Fabricio Mendonça – Drums
Leonardo Gonçalves – Bass
~ With:
Robin Peachey – Vocals (1)
Láis Gonzalez – Vocals (2)
Erend Viken – Vocals (3)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Brazil
Date of Release: 2nd October 2026
LINKS
Drowning Steps – Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
