Angra - Rebirth


Year of Release: 2001
Label: SPV/Steamhammer
Catalog Number: SPV 085 7278A CD
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:54:00

One of the most dramatic news moments as a fan and lover of prog and power metal was the announcement of the parting of Andre Matos with Angra. The magnitude of this event was right up there with Rob Halford leaving Judas Priest or Bruce Dickinson doing the same to Iron Maiden. By March of 2001, the band officially announced the new Angra line-up and the realisation that only the two guitar players of the original band would remain was interesting to say the least. What was to come from Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt? Well first they found a new rhythm section in Felipe Andreoli (b) and Aquiles Priester (d). The vocal department was taken over by Eduardo Falaschi, formerly of Symbols.

I was afraid of what was to come from Angra given the expectations set on by the band leading up to the release of Rebirth but if anything the musical performance is flowing and seems played with such ease that even the more aggressive parts seem calming. Only after 2 minutes spinning-time, it was very clear where the roots of this outfit lay. If you squeeze Angels Cry and Holy Land into a blender, add a little Fireworks and voila you've got Rebirth. I can hear lots of orchestrated, classical movements and some songs are heavily entrenched in South American rhythms and even Eduardo's vocals sound remarkably similar to Andre's although he does not have the nut-crunching falsetto. On the other hand, he brought in some of the heavier vocal as used in the Symbols release Call To the End. Production honours and credits for the monsterous sound go to Dennis Ward of Pink Cream 69 whilst Günter Werno of Vanden Plas performed all the keyboards and pianos on Rebirth.

In the past, Angra left a clear mark in this style of metal and, with the new line-up, I can proudly announce the legacy that once was Angra will continue to thrive.

Released in North America by SPV USA

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
In Excelsis (1:05) / Nova Era (4:52) / Millennium Sun (5:09) / Acid Rain (6:09) / Heroes Of Sand (4:37) / Unholy Wars: Part I: Imperial Crown - Part II: Forgiven Return (8:13) / Rebirth (5:15) / Judgement Day (5:37) / Running Alone (7:12) / Visions Prelude (4:31)

Musicians:
Eduardo Falaschi - vocals
Kiko Loureiro - guitars
Rafael Bittencourt - guitars
Felipe Andreoli - bass
Aquiles Priester - drums

Discography:
Reaching Horizons (1992) (Demo-Tape)
Angels Cry (1993)
Holy Land (1996)
Freedom Call (ep) (1996)
Holy Live (ep) (1997)
Fireworks (1998)
Rebirth (2001)
Hunters And Prey (ep) (2002)
Rebirth World Tour - Live in Sáo Paulo (2002)
Temple Of Shadows (2004)
Aurora Consurgens (2006)
Aqua (2010)
Best Reached Horizons (2012)
Angels Cry - 20th Anniversary Tour (2013)
Secret Garden (2014)

Rebirth World Tour - Live in Sáo Paulo (DVD) (2003)
Angels Cry - 20th Anniversary Tour (2013)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin BR

Added: November 26th 2004
Reviewer: Peter Fundeis
Score:
Artist website: www.angra.net
Hits: 2237
Language: english

  

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