O Terço

O Terço was a Brazilian art-rock/psych band that debuted with a self-titled album on Forma in 1970, followed by a 1973 second eponymous release on Continental. Between 1975 and 1978, the band released three albums on the Underground label.

Members: Sérgio Hinds (guitar, 1968-present), Sérgio Magrão (bass, vocals, 1972-1978, 2005-present), Flávio Venturini (piano, synthesizer, pipe organ, viola, vocals, 1972-1977, 2005-present), César das Mercês (bass, flute, 1968-1970, 1976), Vinicius Cantuária (drums, 1968-1982), Jorge Amiden (bass, 1970-1972), Luiz Paulo Simas (synthesizer, pipe organ, 1972), Luiz Moreno (percussion, vocals, 1972), Sérgio Caffa (bass, keyboards, 1978-1982), Ruriá Duprat (keyboards, 1982), Zé Portugal (bass, 1982), Marcelo Nova (drums, 1982)

Background

O Terço (The Third) had its roots in Os Libertos, formed in 1968 by guitarist Sérgio Hinds, bassist César das Mercês, and drummer Vinicius Cantuária. Hinds came from the band Hot Dogs. Mercês and Cantuária were in the Joint Stock Co., where Mercês played guitar. That band also featured guitarist Jorge Amiden and bassist Sérgio Magrão. In short order, Os Libertos became the Holy Trinity.

In 1970, Mercês cleared out for Amiden and Hinds switched to bass. They changed their name a third time to O Terço and hit the Brazilian festival circuit. At the Festival de Juiz de Fora, they won the main prize with the song “Velhas Histórias.” Their self-titled debut album appeared that year on Forma.

A. “Velhas Histórias”
B. “Edifício da Avenida Central”

O Têrço (first album)

O Têrço released their self-titled debut album in 1970 on Forma.

1971 O Têrço EP

Sérgio Hinds joined Ivan Lins, and Mercês returned to O Têrço. Hinds quickly rejoined O Têrço, taking over guitars and expanding the trio to a quartet. They immediately released a double single.

A1. “O Visitante” [The Visitor] (4:17) Mercês/Amiden
A2. “Adormeceu” [Fell Asleep] (3:55) Mercês/Amiden
B1. “Doze Avisos” [Twelve Warnings] (3:22) Lins/Ronaldo Monteiro de Souza
B2. “Mero Ouvinte” [Mere Listener] (3:28) Mercês/Amiden
B3. “Trecho Da Ária Extraída Da Suite Em Ré Maior (Bach)” [Excerpt from the Aria Extracted from Suite in D Major (Bach)] (1:20) Bach

Influenced by British progressive rock, the band increasingly incorporated experimentalism into their rehearsals and began constructing instruments. Amiden used the three-necked “Tritarra” for complex pieces, and Sérgio Hinds played an electric cello, audible in “Doze Alertos.” O Têrço presented these instruments at the 1971 VI Festival Internacional da Canção, where “O Visitante” placed fourth.

After the VI FIC, Amiden departed. The remaining members registered the band’s name as Terço (without accents) to prevent future issues and continued as a trio. Amiden formed the band Karma with Luiz Mendes Jr. and Alen Terra. Terço then accompanied singer Marcos Valle, contributing to his album Vento Sul, notably the song “Democústico.” This collaboration culminated in a performance with Valle at the Midem Festival in Cannes, France.

1972 Single

The trip to France and collaboration with Valle deepened O Terço’s connection to progressive rock, evident in their 1972 single “Ilusão de Ótica” / “Tempo é Vento,” which featured more elaborate lyrics.

The single features guitarist and vocalist Sérgio Hinds, bassist and vocalist Cezar de Mercês, and drummer and vocalist Vinicius Cantuaria. Keyboardist and vocalist Flávio Venturini also performed on this release.

A. “A Ilusão De Ótica” [The Optical Illusion] (3:30) Written-By – Cezar De Mercês, Vinicius Cantuaria
B. “Tempo É Vento” [Time Is Wind] (2:40) Written-By – Cezar De Mercês, Sérgio Hinds, Vinicius Cantuaria

Têrço (1973)

Luiz Moreno replaced Vinícius, who joined Caetano Veloso’s band. Sérgio Magrão became the bassist, and Mercês focused solely on lyrics and composition. Milton Nascimento introduced them to multi-instrumentalist Flávio Venturini, who had worked with Clube da Esquina and possessed exceptional talent. Venturini became O Terço’s keyboardist. This new lineup participated in Sá & Guarabyra’s album Never and became the classic O Têrço lineup.

Criaturas da Noite

O Terço released their third album, Criaturas da Noite, in 1975 on Copacabana. The album features electric, acoustic, and slide guitarist and vocalist Sérgio Hinds, bassist and vocalist Sérgio Magrão, drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Luiz Moreno, and keyboardist and vocalist Flávio Venturini.

A1. “Hey amigo” [Hey Friend] (3:32) Written-By – Flávio Venturini, Luiz Carlos Sa
A2. “Queimada” [Burnt Ground] (3:04) Written-By – Flávio Venturini
A3. “Pano de fundo” [Background] (3:44) Written-By – Sérgio Hinds
A4. “Ponto final” [Full Stop / Final Point] (4:38) Written-By – Flávio Venturini, Luiz Carlos Sa
A5. “Volte na próxima semana” [Come Back Next Week] (2:59) Written-By – Sérgio Magrão

B1. “Criaturas da noite” [Creatures of the Night] (3:41) Written-By – Flávio Venturini, Sérgio Hinds
B2. “Jogo das pedras” [Game of Stones] (3:25) Written-By – Flávio Venturini
B3. “1974” (12:27) Written-By – O Têrço

Recorded At – Estúdio Vice Versa
Producer [Coordenação De Produção] – Mario Buonfiglio, Santiago “Sam” Malnati

“1974,” a suite composed by Venturini, highlights the keyboardist’s importance and gave O Têrço a distinct group identity. The track opens with a piano introduction and bass playing chords for Hinds’ main theme. Markings appear with Hinds’ vocalizations (“Na-na-na-na-na-na-naaaaaaaaa”) and return to modify the main theme and vocalizations (“Da-ra-ri-ra-tu-ra-raaaaaaa Di-ra-ri-ra-ra-raaaaaaaaaa”) over a mesmerizing beat, with the guitar mirroring the vocalizations.

Riffs change as Venturini solos over a second instrumental theme, creating a dense mood. Hinds solos with a reverb effect. A more expansive section follows, with Venturini playing complex keyboard lines while Hinds provides melancholic vocals and guitar.

Magrão’s bass adds a swinging, apprehensive touch. Bass, drums, and guitar sequences intersperse with Venturini’s sustained keyboard chords, leading to the final theme. This section features another Hinds solo and final vocalizations, accompanied only by piano. Guitar and synthesizer duel briefly before Hinds solos to conclude the track.

Criaturas da Noite saw a rare European release in 1976, featuring English lyrics and retaining the title Creatures of the Night. This was the band’s most commercially successful album; the single “Hey Amigo” sold thousands of copies. In 1977, Argentine artist Oscar Araiz choreographed “1974” as a musical piece.

The original LP version of Criaturas da Noite featured artwork titled “A Comprehension” by Antônio and André Peticov, along with a large booklet and a poster of the band performing live. Another version exists with the poster as the album cover, which some initially mistook for a live album.

Casa Encantada

O Terço released their fourth album, Casa Encantada, in 1976 on Copacabana. The album features electric and acoustic guitarist and vocalist Sérgio Hinds, bassist and vocalist Sérgio Magrão, drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Luiz Moreno, and keyboardist and vocalist Flávio Venturini.

A1. “Flor de la noche” [Night Flower] (3:36) Written-By – Flávio Venturini, Luiz Carlos Sa
A2. “Luz de vela” [Candlelight] (3:17) Written-By – Flávio Venturini, Luiz Carlos Sa
A3. “Guitarras” [Guitars] (4:03) Written-By – Sérgio Hinds
A4. “Foi quando eu vi aquela lua passar” [It Was When I Saw That Moon Pass] (2:32) Written-By – Flávio Venturini
A5. “Sentinela do abismo” [Sentinel of the Abyss] (2:10) Written-By – O Têrço
A6. “Flor de la noche II” [Night Flower II] (2:08) Written-By – Flávio Venturini, Luiz Carlos Sa

B1. “Casa encantada” [Enchanted House] (3:11) Written-By – O Têrço
B2. “Cabala” [Kabbalah] (4:18) Written-By – O Têrço
B3. “Solaris” (3:08) Written-By – O Têrço
B4. “Vôo da fenix” [Flight of the Phoenix] (2:35) Written-By – O Têrço
B5. “Passaro” [Bird] (3:12) Written-By – Flávio Venturini

Discography:

• O Têrço (1970 • O Têrço)
• Terço (1973)
• Criaturas da noite (1975)
• Casa Encantada (1976)
• Mudança de Tempo (1978)
• Som Mais Puro (1983)

Sources:

• Discogs: O Terço
• Bau do Mairon: Maravilhas do Mundo Prog: O Terço
• MusicBrainz: O Terço
• RYM: O Terço
• 45cat: O Terço
• ProgArchives: O Terço