The project

About

The original progressive metal project of guitarist and producer Thiago Campos.

Launched in 2023, TRYPTAMAX blends cinematic atmosphere, intricate arrangements and emotionally charged lyrics. A culmination of decades of musical evolution.

The debut single, “The Empty”, marked the project’s bold arrival: eight minutes that showcase Thiago’s playing, songwriting, production and visual direction. “Strange” followed in 2026 and showed a very different side, an emotional rock ballad about loss and hope.

TRYPTAMAX is primarily a solo endeavour. Thiago writes the music and lyrics, plays guitars, bass and keys, programs, produces, mixes and masters. Guest voices complete the picture.

It is a vessel for immersive storytelling and complex musical landscapes, where progressive metal meets visionary production.

The people

Who’s on the records

Thiago Campos

Guitars, bass, keys, programming, lyrics, production

Founder. Writes, records, produces, mixes and masters every note, and directs the visuals.

Will Shaw

Vocals · The Empty, Strange

The voice of VRA!’s most-watched Split-Screen Cover, Dream Theater’s “Metropolis Pt. 1”.

Rod Calcagno

Vocals & acoustic guitars · Strange

Brasília-based singer and guitarist, and a longtime voice of VRA! on stage.

Paulinho

Drums · The Empty music video

Special guest appearance in the official music video.

Timeline

Before & after

TRYPTAMAX comes from a long road in progressive music.

• 2009 Thiago founds VRA! Split-Screen Covers, the Dream Theater tribute that grows to musicians from 9+ countries and millions of views.
• 2014 With Bad Salad, picked by Mike Portnoy to play Progressive Nation at Sea.
• 2023 TRYPTAMAX debuts with “The Empty” (July 18).
• 2026 “Strange” is released (September 26), with Will Shaw and Rod Calcagno.
• 2027 The debut album, Dark Matters.

More from Thiago Campos: guitar, teaching and the VRA! Split-Screen Covers.