Stratovarius Community

I couldn't find a thread about Angra here, so I figured I should create one...

In case you guys aren't aware, Angra officially reunited a couple months ago (last march if I'm not mistaken). They reunited with Ricardo Confessori, their former drummer (from the Andre Matos times) after the departure of Aquiles Priester. They're now back on the road, after a 3-year hiatus, with some gigs scheduled in Brazil and Portugal. And I'm excited to say I'm going to see them live for the very first time next week.

I've started listening to Angra in 2004, I think. By the time Rebirth was a hot album among power/melodic metal fans, and I got really addicted to it. Then 2005 came and with it Temple Of Shadows, which is, in my opinion, one of their very best albums.

I really like Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro, they're really skilled and talented. Make sure to check out their solo albums (Kiko Loureiro's No Gravity and Rafael Bittencourt's Brainworms Part 1, you can skip Universo Inverso unless you're in the mood for non-metal music) if you like Angra.

I think Andre Matos was a much better singer than Edu Falaschi. Edu isn't a bad singer at all, I don't think he's got a good range, though. And of course, Andre Matos set the bar way too high.

I think their best album is Fireworks, followed by Temple Of Shadows and maybe Rebirth or Angels Cry. My favourite tracks include Time, The Shadow Hunter, Rebirth, Speed, Nova Era, Deep Blue, Running Alone, Rainy Nights and many others...

I think their latest album, Aurora Consurgens, which was released in 2006, blows big time. It's a break away from their melodic roots, features a much more aggressive style, and I just can't stand it. When it was released, I was mildly interested in Breaking Ties, but that's pretty much it. Salvation: Suicide is also halfway decent.

I have hopes they'll once again start producing awesome music. I really miss the typical, almost academic Brazilian music influence from the Holy Land times, as well as the highly melodic stuff they used to produce until the 2006 release. I'm excited about Confessori being back on board, Shaaman (now apparently called Shaman, but whatever, it's not the same band anymore) is going nowhere without Andre Matos and Aquiles Priester, although a really fantastic drummer, which added a lot of energy to the post-Andre Matos lineup, apparently wasn't a very nice person, judging by some stuff he said about Angra when they were going through trouble.

I think it's possible that Edu Falaschi will now present a better live performance, after a lot of experience in Almah. But I hope he'll go back to singing the way he used to sing in ToS. One critical problem for him is that he just can't reach the notes that Andre Matos reaches without breaking a sweat. I think they might want to go with simpler vocal lines for their upcoming albums, and I just hope he reverts to ToS mode. Also I'd like to see Rafael Bittencourt maybe taking the vocal duties in some songs, he's got a really beautiful voice, as can be perceived in his solo projects.

I'm excited about all this, I think the future is bright for Angra. Brazil, despite having a significant number of power/melodic metal fans, doesn't have many decent bands. Most metal bands around here play other genres... We're starved, and Angra being back on the road is huge news for us.

So what do you guys think about their music, what are your favorite songs, what you dislike about them (I could do without the usual "they suck" comments seen on the DragonForce threads, though), etc.? And who's coming to next weekend concert in Sao Paulo? Any ideas on what might be in the set list (I honestly hope they don't play anything from Aurora Consurgens!), other than the usual suspects (Lisbon, Carry On, ...)?

fernandotcl wrote:I think Andre Matos was a much better singer than Edu Falaschi. Edu isn't a bad singer at all, I don't think he's got a good range, though. And of course, Andre Matos set the bar way too high.

I think their best album is Fireworks, followed by Temple Of Shadows and maybe Rebirth or Angels Cry. My favourite tracks include Time, The Shadow Hunter, Rebirth, Speed, Nova Era, Deep Blue, Running Alone, Rainy Nights and many others...

I have to disagree here. I think Matos is overrated. When it comes to studio recordings, I like Edu a lot more than Matos. Yes, Matos has better range, but Edu sounds a lot more in tune. Apart from the range, Matos is far from impressive if you ask me.

I also think that Fireworks is one of their worst albums (I think many Angra fans would agree with me on this one, although there are always exceptions). So far, no album has been able to match the quality of Angels Cry (again, just my opinion). Angels Cry is understandably not the best album in terms of sound quality, but in terms of composition, melodies, etc., it's the best one by far.

Yeah, heh, Fireworks is not popular among fans, whereas Angels Cry is very popular... I make unusual choices at times.

I already had a little Angra-marathon to celebrate these news. I'm one of the few Angra-fans who actually prefers Falaschi. I think Matos' voice is just too whiny. Some might even say, well, gay, but not me! He does have great range though. I've never seen them live so I can't judge Edu on that, but he seemed more than ok on their DVD from Rebirth-tour.

For me, Temple Of Shadows is a flawless, outstanding masterpiece of melodic metal. My favourite songs would include Spread You Fire, Winds Of Destination (Hansi Kürsch fuck yeah!), Late Redemption, Time, Stand Away, Ego Painted Grey, Make Believe, Nova Era, Heroes Of Sand and many more.
I don't really dislike any of their work, other than think that Angels Cry might be just a little overrated.

I also prefer Falaschi! I think his voice is far more powerful. Their best album is (of course) Temple of Shadows.

rikkertje wrote:I also prefer Falaschi! I think his voice is far more powerful. Their best album is (of course) Temple of Shadows.

+1
I never understood all the hype about Andre Matos.

I really like Angra a lot, fantastic band. I have to say I like the Matos albums more than the ones after, but they're an excellent band anyway.

I like Matos a lot more as a songwriter and ideas man rather than a singer... he's a great singer but nothing overly extraordinary apart from the range.

Currently listening to Carry On

I think Angra rules !!

They are super extra talented guys!

Good for Brazil, yeah !!!

i like the tones of both their voices. bleeding heart and wishing well are my two favorites from the band.

I haven't heard much, only 3 albums actually: Angels Cry, Rebirth (I really enjoy both of them) and Fireworks, which I didn't like at all. And I think both are fantastic singers.

Everyone bashes fireworks but I think every song on that album is an absolute masterpiece. Its just in a vastly different style than its predecessor (Holy Land) so you really have to do away with your preconceptions before you judge it.

I love all three original albums with Andre Matos and I think the Edu-Falaschi era albums are great too, but a notch down. The only Angra album I don't like is, strangely enough, Temple of Shadows.

I love Angra, in my opinion is the best brazilian heavy metal band!

Angels cry, Rebirth & Aurora Consurgens are great albuns

Babylon wrote:I haven't heard much, only 3 albums actually: Angels Cry, Rebirth (I really enjoy both of them) and Fireworks, which I didn't like at all. And I think both are fantastic singers.

Matos sings on all 3 of those albums.

NeonVomit wrote:

Babylon wrote:I haven't heard much, only 3 albums actually: Angels Cry, Rebirth (I really enjoy both of them) and Fireworks, which I didn't like at all. And I think both are fantastic singers.

Matos sings on all 3 of those albums.

Doesn't Falaschi sing on Rebirth?

1. "In Excelsis"(Instrumental) (Kiko Loureiro) - 1:05
2. "Nova Era" (Edu Falaschi, Rafael Bittencourt, Loureiro, Felipe Andreoli) - 4:52
3. "Millenium Sun" (Bittencourt, Loureiro) - 5:09
4. "Acid Rain" (Bittencourt) - 6:09
5. "Heroes of Sand" (Falaschi, Bittencourt) - 4:37
6. "Unholy Wars" (Bittencourt, Loureiro) - 8:13
* I. Imperial Crown
* II. Forgiven Return
7. "Rebirth" (Bittencourt, Loureiro) - 5:15
8. "Judgement Day" (Falaschi, Bittencourt, Loureiro, Aquiles Priester) - 5:37
9. "Running Alone" (Bittencourt) - 7:12
10. "Visions Prelude" (Adapted From Chopin's Opus 24 in C minor) (Bittencourt, Loureiro) - 4:31
here are the song credits. edu definitly was the rebirth singer, i'm not sure why they would have called it rebirth if not for the linup change of the singer, bass, and, drums

Mormegil wrote:

NeonVomit wrote:

Babylon wrote:I haven't heard much, only 3 albums actually: Angels Cry, Rebirth (I really enjoy both of them) and Fireworks, which I didn't like at all. And I think both are fantastic singers.

Matos sings on all 3 of those albums.

Doesn't Falaschi sing on Rebirth?

Whoops, misread your post

I met herman li a year or two ago and he said Holy Land was one of his favorite albums. So I was in Japan last summer and I picked it up...I must say it's some really good stuff, especially to think that that album came out the same year that Episode came out. I think Episode is a more solid of an album but Holy Land is a bit more progressive at times. I love that track ZITO and the first song (can't remember what it's called) Will definitely keep my eye open for more of their stuff

Nothing To Say? Yeah that album is golden. It's somewhat experimental in many senses, yet it simply rocks.

When everybody thinks Edu is better than Andre...I think: both are the most talented singers in Brazil (of course we still have Nando Fernandes ex-Hangar with one of the most powerfull voices I've heard in all my life...)

My point of view:
Angels Cry - Classic...Carry On, Time and of course Angels Cry;

Holy Land - Very Impressive album one of the bests...very rich! Full of Brazilian rythms and Influeces (I recommend! Nothing to say and Carolina IV);

Fireworks - Different of the conventional style of the band, but one of the best recorded and mixed(Roy Z), have a participation of a simphonic orchestra (don't ask me the name!)
Everybody can take I look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6yrNQYYqk
It's different, not bad at all...;

Rebirth - I like all the Songs of This one (my favorite one is Unholy Wars! Totally Brazilian!);

Temple of Shadows - It's a killer album, full of technic! Is faster, heavy, different...but perfect!

And Finally Aurora Consourgens....well...Unfortunally I have this one...but...I'm a fan!

----------------------------------------------------
Sorry by the english errors (I've never have an english lesson in my hole life...)

And I need to thanks Fernando for this wonderfull (and Brazilian) post!

Burning Reflection wrote:I met herman li a year or two ago

O WOW WE R ALL JEALOUS

Look at this one too...Andre Matos Live...& Nando Fernandes...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_3bO1w ... re=related
Bye

NightScreamer wrote:

Burning Reflection wrote:I met herman li a year or two ago

O WOW WE R ALL JEALOUS

He also recommended Kiko's no gravity album. I have a young guitar dvd with some excerpts from his solo album...I should pick that up that too

edit: so gathering from the more in depth fans, you guys recommend Temple of Shadows and Rebirth?

If you guys are looking for recommendations, here are some videos:

Nova Era (+ intro), from the Rebirth album

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Rebirth, from the Rebirth album:

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No Pain For The Dead, for the Temple Of Shadows album:

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I'm sugesting this songs:

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Unholy Wars - Rebirth

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Winds Of Destination (featuring Hansi Kursch) - Temple Of Shadows

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Temple Of Hate(featuring Kai Hansen) - Temple Of Shadows

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A curiosity...Angra in 1996 make a cover of Painkiller, and released in Freedom Call album.

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This is the full song...

Enjoy!

The setlist from their first concert in this tour:

* Carry On
* Nova Era
* Waiting Silence
* Heroes Of Sand
* Angels Cry
* Carolina IV
* Angels and Demons
* Metal Icarus
* The Course Of Nature
* Make Believe
* Acid Rain
* Never Understand
* Gentle Change
* Spread Your Fire
* Rebirth
* Nothing To Say

Sounds great! I'm thrilled!

This is awesome news, and I hate to go with the crowd on this one but I also agree I think Falaschi is the better singer, however I will give Matos props for being the first and setting the sound.

They're playing Never Understand on this tour?! Sweet!

Angra are one of my favourite bands, I was lucky enough to see them in Paris on the Aurora Consurgens Tour in 2007, and it was of course a great show.

I've gotta say that I think Edu is a better vocalist than Andre, there's a lot more power to his voice, and as a metal singer it's important.

And IMO Rebirth/Temple of Shadows are the best albums, classics!

Those are awesome albums, I love those

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I've only heard the song Temple of Hate. I have to say when I heard it I was impressed. Am I to check more songs out?