Following the highly anticipated release of their third studio LP, “Celestial,” on August 7, 2026, Progressive Rock wunderkinds Papangu have officially released the music video for their epic sophomore track, “Colosso.” Hailing from João Pessoa, the Heavy and heady Experimental group continues to solidify their reputation as generational pioneers of the modern Avant-Prog scene.
The track “Colosso” (originally teased as a single in April 2026) is a sprawling 6-and-a-half-minute journey. Lyrically, the song weaves a striking narrative of superstition, warning, and decay, reflecting on a decorated bronze colossus “swallowed, castrated, and dismantled” by the fierce tides of fate and the weight of the “evil eye” (mau olhado).
Musically, “Colosso” perfectly encapsulates the band’s bold, uncompromising sonic signature. Papangu seamlessly blends “retcon” Progressive Rock and Zeuhl with traditional Brazilian rhythms like MPB, ciranda, and forró, while injecting the raw intensity of Heavy Metal. The track features a brilliant showcase of vintage instrumentation, drawing power from Rodolfo Salgueiro’s Hammond organ and Moog synthesizers, Vitor Alves‘ propulsive drumming, the dual-guitar attack of Pedro Francisco and Hector Ruslan, and Marco Mayer’s driving basslines.
Watch the official video for “Colosso” via the YouTube player below:
The release of the video also shines a spotlight on the meticulous, anti-digital philosophy behind “Celestial.” Taking a fierce stance against the modern reliance on AI tools in art, Papangu recorded and mixed the entire album onto magnetic tape (RTM 911 2″ and 1/4″ tape) with absolutely no computers involved.
The sessions took place mostly live over nine days at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin under the guidance of acclaimed psychedelic producer Richard Behrens (known for his work with Elder, Kadavar, and Earth Tongue). To complete the authentic sonic chain, the record was mastered and cut fully analogue at the legendary Emil Berliner Studios by Sidney Claire Meyer, earning the vinyl edition a prestigious AAA SPARS rating.
By channeling influences ranging from Brazilian legends Lô Borges, Alceu Valença, and Hermeto Pascoal to Progressive giants Gentle Giant, King Crimson, and Blind Guardian, Papangu has delivered a record that is both deeply earthbound and spectacularly otherworldly. “Colosso” stands as a towering testament to this vision.
Purchase “Celestial” on Bandcamp: https://papangu.bandcamp.com/album/celestial
Tracklist:
01. Mau-Olhado 03:03
02. Colosso 06:35
03. Taxidermia 06:18
04. Bode Expiatório 05:20
5. Celeste 03:56
06. Fechamento de Corpo 07:13
07. Calado (de Olho) 07:12
08. Iamanakaru 03:36
09. Afirmação 05:08
10. Outro 01:42
Lineup:
Pedro Francisco / Electric Guitar, 12-string Acoustic Guitar, Triangle, Harmonica, Flute, Floor Tom, Rubber Chicken, Fender Rhodes, Moog Matriarch, Bells, Caxixi, Voice
Marco Mayer / Electric Bass, Voice
Hector Ruslan / Electric Guitar, Voice
Rodolfo Salgueiro / Hammond Organ, Ppiano, Fender Rhodes, Juno 106, Minimoog, Moog Matriarch, DX7, Shaker, jamblock, Voice
Vitor Alves / Drums, Triangle, Shaker