The band Síndrome K transforms experiences of deceit, broken trust, and strained relationships into fuel for a new phase in their sound with “Jogo Sujo” (Dirty Game). In the single, the band from Bahia preserves the intensity of Heavy Metal while exploring new paths, incorporating a seven-string guitar for the first time and opening space for a passage close to rap, which features Caio MacBeserra, vocalist of Project 46. In an interview, the members talk about the everyday experiences that inspired the lyrics, the collective songwriting process, and the quest to expand the boundaries of their sound without abandoning the heaviness that accompanies the group’s identity.
“Jogo Sujo” (Dirty Game) was born as a manifesto against falsehood, toxic relationships, and broken agreements behind the scenes. At what point did you realize that this everyday frustration needed to become such a direct song?
Every day represents a moment when we think about this topic, because every day it’s possible to experience some disappointment with something we’ve lived through or seen in the news. When you experience something firsthand, of course, the feeling becomes even stronger, and this was evident in some disappointments within the rock scene itself. There are people who ask for help, receive help, and then fail to fulfill the necessary and agreed-upon reciprocal obligations, as if they were always right and caring little about the person who helped them.
The song speaks of people who approach each other as partners, but end up draining energy or hindering others’ goals. How can we transform such a common and exhausting experience into something collective, without losing the personal power of venting?
You said it all, “it’s a very common experience” indeed. The way to make this happen is to treat the music in a way that the listener can identify with, regardless of the situation they are experiencing, making the theme as broad as possible, allowing the “game” that each person is playing to be identified in the lyrics, and for the listener to identify with winning the endeavor, whatever it may be. After all, we believe that whoever does evil or harms someone will eventually lose.
Musically, you sought to break through the traditional bubbles of Heavy Metal, maintaining the heaviness but creating a more accessible and modern sound. What balance did you seek between aggressiveness and openness to new listeners?
This search for balance has been emerging naturally and fluidly with this new band lineup since 2024. Last year, in 2025, we released the song “7000 Giros,” featuring Marcello Pompeu, which already showcased this more accessible sound. Now, with “Jogo Sujo,” we apply the same principle. Even with the participation of Caio, vocalist of Project 46, with his guttural and heavy voice, the song leaves room for new listeners, even those from other genres, to approach Heavy Metal and learn more about the style. We believe this balance is more related to the vocal signature, blended with accessible lyrics and heavy guitars.
“Jogo Sujo” marks the first time the band has used a seven-string guitar. What did this new resource bring to the heaviness, dynamics, and sonic identity of Síndrome K?
That’s right, it’s the first song with a 7-string guitar. The band ends up exploring new sonic possibilities, allowing for a greater rhythmic and melodic connection within the band itself. Guitar, bass, and drums come closer together, which is fundamental in a power trio.
Caio MacBeserra’s participation, from Project 46, came about during a more rhythmic passage, with a meter closer to rap. How did you realize that the song itself was asking for this collaboration?
This was completely natural. When we finished composing that part in the studio, Lula immediately said, “Should we invite someone to rap on this part?” At first, there was doubt about who it would be, but after we suggested Caio’s name, the idea started to take shape. Right from the first contact with the song, he agreed, worked on the idea, and did exactly what we were thinking for the song, as if he were in the studio with us when the band composed it. Caio is very talented.
Caio took on the writing of the verse and brought his guttural and visceral intensity to the track. What did this presence add to the narrative and emotional intensity of “Jogo Sujo”?
With his characteristic talent, Caio managed to transcribe into his performance all the essence of what we wanted to convey with the song, making even clearer the idea that was conveyed in the previous verses and choruses in a more generic way. In the part he sang and composed, the message appears clearer, which was the objective of that break in the song: for the listener to notice events that occur, people who approach to drain their energy. He masterfully managed to do exactly what the song asked for.
You describe the songwriting process as something collective, “like in the old days,” bringing together riffs, rhythmic drive, and lyrical ideas from different members. How has this studio camaraderie helped define the band’s new phase?
In the two previous albums, whether due to the pandemic or because we had already created a composition mechanism, we worked remotely, combining ideas and adjusting everything in the band’s WhatsApp group, only putting the ideas into practice live. With this current lineup, in this new sound we sought to do everything together, in the studio, which emerged naturally. The break that followed served as a springboard for Caio’s participation, which came about at a special moment in the studio, where everyone stopped and said: “Wow, what an incredible part!”. This fueled the spirit of collectivity and the inclusion of everyone in the band’s creative process.
The cover art depicts a handshake between a seemingly clean figure and another marked by a dark substance, suggesting a morally questionable alliance. How does this image visually summarize the message presented in the song?
The idea is to convey the notion that, whether in a business deal between big businessmen, or in a handshake between acquaintances, there may be a desire to take advantage of the other, causing financial or moral harm, or simply wishing them ill even though outwardly they seem to be rooting for you. Notice, although the song has this heavy theme, it doesn’t carry a heavy burden; it’s upbeat, with a catchy chorus that makes the listener want to sing along.
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