Okay, I figured I'd bump this thread with the new Angra album and talks of a world tour (including the US!). My review...
It’s typical these days for albums to leak before they are officially released. I started reading opinions on the Internet for Angra’s latest album before it came out, and most were saying things like “it’s their heaviest album to date”. To be honest, when I hear statements like this, it makes me nervous. More often than not, when a band brags during promotion for their new album that it is “the heaviest thing they’ve ever done”, it usually ends up being heavy, yes, but not necessarily their best album to date. I would rather hear someone brag or state that the latest CD is their best to date.
Now that
Aurora Consurgens is out and I've listened to it a few times, I ask, "is this Angra’s heaviest to date"? I think so. Does it then fall in the sub par category that many albums do when championed as a band’s “heaviest” material? Not even close! This is a fantastic album, filled with melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, and yes, it is heavy too! As always, Angra has made a fresh album that still has the core Angra sound. There are times when I hear hints of older material (“So Near So Far” gives off a similar vibe to material from their early years), but this doesn’t bother me at all as the vibe is similar but fresh.
It’s easy to see that Angra has been a busy band lately. Since the band had it’s rebirth in 2002, they have put out 3 full albums and an EP in 3 years! What is more amazing about this is the fact that they all contain quality material and no filler. The latest release is no exception. Another great feature about the new album compared to the past releases is it further shows that Angra is a very solidified band with various members contributing to the song writing. And once again the album seems to be thematic/conceptual in nature, this time exploring mental illness.
As with the past 3 albums/EP, the vocals shine. Edu shows yet again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the metal world. I thought his voice sounded more relaxed and natural on this album than it did at times on Temple of Shadows (like the end of “The Shadow Hunter”
– it seems to me he’s “found his voice” in the band. One of my favorite things about Angra, aside from the vocal delivery, is their vocal arrangements: especially the play between lead and backing vocals. Rafael is not only a fine composer of songs, but does amazing arrangements and delivery of backing vocals. They are so smooth and tranquil that they grab the listener’s attention whenever they come through, yet don’t overshadow the lead lines.
The rhythm section in Angra is tight as usual. Aquiles’ drumming is fast, precise, and skillful, yet often diverse and dynamic. Another great thing about this aspect of the band are the frequent hints of traditional Brazilian percussion. Then there is the bass. The intro to “Passing Time” gives off that classic old school Iron Maiden feel, highlighting Felipe’s smooth bass lead. All over the album Felipe shows he has both skill and taste, as his playing always contributes to the song rather than distracting the listener, yet it shows his amazing technical prowess.
And of course, there are still the highly extraordinary guitars! The harmonies are one of the aspects of Angra that always catch my attention. Proving to me yet again that Rafael and Kiko are metal’s best guitar duo when it comes to harmonized leads. They took what past bands have done, and with it, soared to new heights that seem almost surreal in achievement.
Kiko delivers some great guitar solos on this one. I’ve long been a huge fan of his playing, and especially his diversity. What really amazes me about him is this: in a genre that often contains (what seems like) a surge in fast playing/showing off for the sake of playing fast/showing off, Kiko displays restraint and plays to contribute to a better song – he doesn’t use his solo spots to show off his extremely impressive technical skill and over shadow the band. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t highly technical and impressive playing on this disc! By the contrary, it means it is there, but done in such a tasteful way that the listener never things “wow, impressive, but what is the point?”.
I highly recommend this disc to past Angra fans, and I think it is also a good introduction to this highly talented band if you have never heard them. For those of you like me in the US, I’ve read statements in interviews with Edu that a US tour is in the works for this year! Make sure you plan on catching their show, because I’ve seen them several times and they are not only one of the best sounding bands, but the most engaging and entertaining to watch on stage. Considering their new material, combined with the 15 year anniversary of the band (including hints from the band that material will be played from all their albums on the tour!), you don’t want to miss them!
