Angra Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Iron Maiden/Queensrÿche-esque prog metal reaches far and wide throughout the world, as evidenced by the emergence of Brazil's Angra. On their sixth full-length overall, 2006's Aurora Consurgens, you get truckloads of opera-like vocals, finely honed guitar harmonies and riffs, and of course, drumming so perfectly on-time that it would make your average metronome green with envy. Although the group is quick to point out that Aurora Consurgens is not a concept album, it does manage to "deal with the relationship between alchemy and psychological transformation." Could the chaps have invented a new metal subgenre -- "psychological" metal? It's certainly possible, after hearing such prog metal epics as "The Voice Commanding You" and "Window to Nowhere." Musically however, Aurora Consurgens would serve as the perfect soundtrack for a medieval knight saving a damsel in distress. Depending on what side of the rock music fence you sit on, Angra's 2006 effort is either preposterous dribble or an utter masterwork. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Carrying on un-phased following the departure of founding vocalist Andre Matos, Brazilian metal institution Angra make their tenth release Temple of Shadows (and fourth sans Matos) sound like business as usual. True, some would charge that, as part of their "moving on" process since losing their adventurous-minded former singer, Angra's most distinctive progressive rock tendencies have grown thinner by the year. But despite succumbing to base power metal's uniform (and boring!) speed-flailings during Helloween-aping opening exercise "Spread Your Fire" and, later, the equally forgettable "The Temple of Hate," Angra still find plenty of opportunities to indulge their progressive "jones" via Yes and Marillion-recalling epics such as "No Pain for the Dead," "Morning Star" -- not to mention the album's awe-inspiring conceptual centerpiece "The Shadow Hunter." Comparatively speaking, more concise material such as "Angels and Demons" and the almost straight-up hard rock of "Waiting Silence" turn the focus toward memorable choruses and sparkling melodies to go with their more understated structures (think Kansas or Dream Theater). Not a bad transition until we settle into the at times over-saccharine balladry of "Wishing Well" or "Late Redemption" (featuring Brazilian pop legend Milton Nascimento), which regularly coast as close to Air Supply (bad!) as, say, Styx (good!), for inspiration. Taking into account all of the above, the songwriting results are still positive, more often than not, and vocalist Edu Falaschi, though not as powerful or majestic in his delivery as Matos, handily applies his grittier style to suit most of these songs just fine. But, Temple of Shadows does suffer from poorly-chosen production choices in terms of its drums (which sound as limp and inexpressively mechanical as one could expect from a human) and a bass that is seldom heard above the fleet-fingered guitar fray fired up by the band's central tandem of Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt. Yet, in the end, a few new tricks (the odd operatic soprano backing voice, AOR ) meshes with the old (the album's all-encompassing concept of an 11th century crusader questioning his faith, plus sporadic use of native Brazilian rhythms and syncopated chords in "Sprouts of Time") to remind us that, even in times of mixed returns, Angra still manage a most satisfying bounty in terms of progressive power metal. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
'Rebirth World Tour'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 18
Label Victor Entertainment, Inc.
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Brazilian prog metal outfit Angra did well in titling this album Rebirth. Indeed, it marks a rebirth of sorts for the band. Many had been writing eulogies for Angra when longtime vocalist Andre Matos left the group. However, it was certainly too early to count this band out. Angra found a replacement in the person of Edu Falaschi and went forward to record a great album. This album shows the band carrying on its tradition of merging the more metallic side of prog (Dream Theater) with the more proggy side of metal (Fates Warning, Queensrÿche) and classically based European metal (Stratovarius, Royal Hunt) to create a sound that is all its own. Since the disc does such a fine job of bridging those two styles, it should certainly appeal to fans of both. ~ Gary Hill, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Angra replaces the classic progressive metal sound found on Angels Cry with Brazilian-influenced metal. There are a couple of standard metal tracks, "Nothing to Say" and "Z.I.T.O.," which would have fit on Angels Cry. The rest of Holy Land features the slower songs "Make Believe," "Deep Blue" and "Lullaby for Lucifer," plus songs influenced by Brazilian rhythms, including "Silence and Distance," "Holy Land," and "The Shaman." This mixing of styles works beautifully. While Holy Land may not be metal from start to finish, it is an album with an unusual combination of power, intensity and beauty. ~ David White, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Reaching Horizons was released in 1996 but was recorded several years earlier; it contains demos of songs that were later found on Angels Cry, including "Carry On," "Angels Cry," "Time," and "Evil Warning," as well as two new songs, "Reaching Horizons" and "Don't Despair." There are two versions of "Carry On," one of which has different lyrics and a somewhat different chorus melody. A sped-up version of Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights," the slow version of which is on Angels Cry, is the most interesting track on the CD. ~ David White, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Angels Cry is Angra's first full-length album, a brilliant exhibition of progressive power metal featuring Andre Matos' incomparable voice and Kiko Loureiro's alternately crunching and soaring guitar. After a short instrumental, Angels Cry begins with "Carry On"; from the first moments of this song, it is evident that this is a group of unusually talented musicians. Other highlights include "Time," "Angels Cry," "Stand Away," "Lasting Child," and a faithful remake of Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights." [The import edition offers three bonus tracks: "Angels Cry," "Carry On," and a different version of "Evil Warning."] ~ David White, All Music Guide
