- Apr 5, 2003
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Angra - Aurora Consurgens
SPVUSA - SPV80001063 - Oct. 24th, 2006
By Brandon Strader
Angra is back with the follow up to last year's Temple Of Shadows, entitled Aurora Consurgens. According to Soundscan, it has only sold 400~ copies in its first week of release, which is pretty sad considering the album totally slays. If you've never heard of Angra, then you've been missing out on one of the best power metal bands ever. If you're already a fan, you will not be disappointed with Aurora Consurgens. The band has come a long way, and they are getting better and better with each new album. I'm not sure if there are any tracks that would actually break through and become an Angra classic, but that is a task that would be difficult for even the best of new Angra tunes...
The album starts up with a pretty catchy tune called "The Course Of Nature", which was released as a 'virtual single' with the song and artwork downloadable on the internet. The song is pretty tame and has a more rocking vibe which makes it the ideal single, though it does have a pretty cool solo. The sound of Aurora Consurgens is like a mixture between Temple Of Shadows and the album that came before it, Rebirth. "The Voice Commanding You" starts with some awesomely fast guitar leads that eventually leads into epic power metal the way only Angra can do it. The song sounds like it could have fit in with the heavier power numbers of Temple Of Shadows. The melodies are very catchy, and those familiar vocals continue to reach soaring ranges most harmoniously. "Ego Painted Grey" is the stand-out 'golden egg' of the album. It starts out with some fantastic clean guitar performances and cool lyrics that builds ever higher, eventually introducing heavy guitars, and orchestral elements into what becomes the most epic track on Aurora Consurgens... And if there was to be any 'classic' introduced with this new album, it would definitely be "Ego Painted Grey".
Angra has been known to do some unusual tracks and covers in the past, but "Breaking Ties" is truly strange. It really doesn't fit into the band's style that much, and if a non-metal person (Muggle) heard this song, they would think it was some kind of zany Aerosmith tribute band or something. Angra isn't one of those bands that will easily slip into obscurity despite low album sales... Perhaps people just haven't heard of the new release yet. Well now you have, and it is definitely worth checking out and buying if you like power/prog metal. They are one of the few power/prog bands that has been around for so long and still continues to release fantastic material.
9/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Angra Website
Official SPV USA Website
SPVUSA - SPV80001063 - Oct. 24th, 2006
By Brandon Strader

Angra is back with the follow up to last year's Temple Of Shadows, entitled Aurora Consurgens. According to Soundscan, it has only sold 400~ copies in its first week of release, which is pretty sad considering the album totally slays. If you've never heard of Angra, then you've been missing out on one of the best power metal bands ever. If you're already a fan, you will not be disappointed with Aurora Consurgens. The band has come a long way, and they are getting better and better with each new album. I'm not sure if there are any tracks that would actually break through and become an Angra classic, but that is a task that would be difficult for even the best of new Angra tunes...
The album starts up with a pretty catchy tune called "The Course Of Nature", which was released as a 'virtual single' with the song and artwork downloadable on the internet. The song is pretty tame and has a more rocking vibe which makes it the ideal single, though it does have a pretty cool solo. The sound of Aurora Consurgens is like a mixture between Temple Of Shadows and the album that came before it, Rebirth. "The Voice Commanding You" starts with some awesomely fast guitar leads that eventually leads into epic power metal the way only Angra can do it. The song sounds like it could have fit in with the heavier power numbers of Temple Of Shadows. The melodies are very catchy, and those familiar vocals continue to reach soaring ranges most harmoniously. "Ego Painted Grey" is the stand-out 'golden egg' of the album. It starts out with some fantastic clean guitar performances and cool lyrics that builds ever higher, eventually introducing heavy guitars, and orchestral elements into what becomes the most epic track on Aurora Consurgens... And if there was to be any 'classic' introduced with this new album, it would definitely be "Ego Painted Grey".
Angra has been known to do some unusual tracks and covers in the past, but "Breaking Ties" is truly strange. It really doesn't fit into the band's style that much, and if a non-metal person (Muggle) heard this song, they would think it was some kind of zany Aerosmith tribute band or something. Angra isn't one of those bands that will easily slip into obscurity despite low album sales... Perhaps people just haven't heard of the new release yet. Well now you have, and it is definitely worth checking out and buying if you like power/prog metal. They are one of the few power/prog bands that has been around for so long and still continues to release fantastic material.
9/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Angra Website
Official SPV USA Website