The band was formed in early 1993, when Mario joined Linhares and Leonel Valdez Wagner Marcelo, to form the Athena, a band of Brasilia, which was a rock 'n roll style means "Brazil Rock" (Keith Urban, Rude , etc.), singing all the songs in Portuguese.

Dissatisfied with the style of Athena, Mário Linhares decides to devote himself to the musical style that I really liked that it was the eighties made by Heavy Metal bands like Manowar, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Metal Church, etc.. and with the support of Leonel Valdez, start the changes within the band, starting with the name, changing to Athena White Rat, named after the former guitarist Marcelo, not having that name lasted for a long time, since the members did not agree with such a title. Following a suggestion by former bassist Marcelo Wagner, the White Rat is now called Dark Avenger, since the new compositions were beginning to take a turn for the power metal and traditional metal. The band decides then compose all their songs in English and battled each other for shows (it is noteworthy that the group never made presentations with something other than the Dark Avenger).

In February 1994, recording his first and only demo tape called "Choose Your Side ... Heaven or Hell", containing four songs "Die Mermaid", "Half Dead Eyes", "Madelayne" and "Ghost Divinity" and starts to disclose the same in Brazil, shows and battling for places where they could showcase their work. Then send this demo-tape for the magazine "Rock Brigade" where you get an excellent effect, and thus begin to receive thousands of letters from all over Brazil, in addition to enjoying the support of many fans who, on their own initiative send copies of demo-tape all over Brazil and around the world, making the Dark Avenger name is known everywhere.

Begin to make show in different states throughout Brazil and attend events and festivals, having been winners in several of them, such as: 1st and 2nd places in IV FECA in Americana - SP (1995), 1 - place at the Festival Metal World in Aeroanta - SP (1994), Best New Artist Vocalist Festival in Brasília - DF (1994), Band of the Year in Brasilia - DF (1997), New Artist by Rock Brigade (1996), Best Vocalist ( 5th in the list of 1997 Rock Brigade), etc..

In 1995, Mario Linhares (vocals), Leonel Valdez and Osiris di Castro (guitar), Gustavo Vieira (bass), Luciano Toledo (drums) and Rafael Galvão (keyboards), decided to record their first album, sponsored by the Zen Studio Brasilia containing 11 songs which was very well received by the specialized media and fans of Heavy Metal, having received this note 9 in Rock Brigade and was considered "one of the best heavy metal albums ever released in the last five years", and have been relating to various magazines and fanzines from Brazil and several countries such as Argentina (Metallica), Greece (Singing Swords), Japan (Burrn! and Silent Noise), United States, Germany etc..

After two years of touring in Brazil to promote his first album, Dark Avenger decides to stop to compose his masterpiece, the abum "Tales of Avalon", a themed album, divided into: "Tales of Avalon - The Terror" and " Tales of Avalon - The Lament, "which tell the epic stories of the magical realm of Avalon and Camelot, the passions and intrigues, magic and fanaticism, betrayal and wars that led to the realm of Avalon is forgotten and the triumph of Christianity in the British Isles beginning of the Christian era. Twenty-two songs divided into two albums, which with a density unique design, always in a third person, all the boards and actions lived in that period, making the party alive and feel before their eyes and each song, the atmosphere of the time.

The Dark Avenger, now formed by Mário Linhares (vocals), Leonel and Julio (guitar), FábioPoles (bass), Rafael Galvão (keyboards) and John Kayo (drums), seeks to show that Heavy Metal, with all its magic paramount. remains strong and vibrant as ever and with its own identity, shows a facet for a bold and unusual metal band from Brazil.

The "Tales of Avalon" to be launched in early 1999 by a consortium between the Italian-Brazilian and Italian DragonHeart Zen Records in Brazil, making it that the disclosure and distribution is the same worldwide.

Recently the band was offered one of its licensing work throughout Europe and Asia, by the label Diamond Records owned by Ole Bang, Tour Manager of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate. Moreover, it is noteworthy that good selling is having a debut album in Japan by companies and Blue Bell Records Heaven Records.

For fans of true heavy metal and for those who enjoy the work of the albums Dark Avenger "Tales of Avalon" means the solidification of the Dark Avenger name in the annals of the Brazilian heavy metal world and beyond the affirmation of the dedication of the Dark Avenger more Heavy Metal pure and faithful.

Source : Mário Henrique Linhares