REBIRTH

It seems that the old Angra has been erased. Neither the “reborn” Angra nor the new band from their former members, Shaman, will repeat the precious jewel that Holy Land was. But I’m not saying this album is bad, au contraire, it’s great, musical experimentation is over for Angra and they returned to the power metal trend in a way I didn’t expected after I knew about the split between the main composition forces of old Angra, Matos and guitarists Loureiro and Bittencourt. I still believe Holy Land is their best release, but "Rebirth" is a great power metal album and the new members (more than half of the band) are showing how they can fill equally or maybe better the shoes of old members.

Maybe Edu Falaschi can’t sing as high as Matos, but I like more his style, with a more steady and aggressive voice and his musical contribution is the perfect match for the ideas of the guitarists. Aquiles Priester may not be as versatile as Ricardo Confessori, but he is an incredible drummer, suiting perfectly for the style Angra is handling now. And on the bass, Felipe Andreoli is a young man that I didn’t expected to be as great as Luis Mariutti. You may listen carefully to the bass lines on this album, they are not as recognizable as in the first releases of Angra (I mean, no solos), but as a bass player I just don’t know how can Andreoli play that lines. Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt are the remains of old Angra, but renewed, no, wait… they returned to their roots, with a musical style that reminds me more the Angels Cry era. So this indicates that the old, old, old Angra is not totally erased.

Rebirth starts with "In Excelsis", an intro that prepares you for the jaw-dropping "Nova Era" (just as Unfinished Allegro did with Carry On). With this song you can listen how Falaschi is one of the best vocalists in the newcomers’ top metal scene (I hadn’t heard of him before) and his versatility is confirmed with soft songs like the intro on "Millennium Sun" or "Visions Prelude". "Acid Rain", the powerful song that remains in your head for a while with it's catchy chorus and impressive choral backlines. On the semi-soft side we have "Heroes of Sand" and the memorable "Rebirth", where we can appreciate the work of Angra with acoustic guitars, which I didn’t notice until I heard this song. The arpeggio is so sweet and then electric guitars break in changing the tune but not the meaning of the song. "Unholy Wars" reminds me on the Holy Land era, specially the song Carolina IV, because of its Latin percussions and chorus intro, and then becomes more power metal oriented, but it doesn’t matters, it is done grateful. Also the Latin feeling remains with the drum pattern in "Judgement Day". One of the songs I like the best is "Running Alone" because of the choruses and the vocal duties that Falaschi shows on this song.

In fact, Angra is not the same band anymore that wrote Holy Land and Fireworks, that disappointed me a little, but I think they’re doing a great job and that’s what counts, they still sound refreshing and this can assure us more Angra for a long time. A worthwile comeback, which I haven't thought can be strong like this. Excellent!

album rating: 8.5/10 points = 86 % on MPV scale = 4/5 stars

point-system: 0 - 3 points = 1 star / 3.5 - 5.5 points = 2 stars / 6 - 7 points = 3 stars / 7.5 - 8.5 points = 4 stars / 9 - 10 points = 5 stars

What DIFFERENTIATES prog rock from other music genres? Complexity? Shifting tempos? Dynamic? Classical touch? What's prog, anyway?

Those thought provoking questions arouse me with respect to the inclusion of ANGRA in this page, actually. I never imagine that the band would be featured in here. But, I'm sure it must be "reasons" for putting it in this basket. Definitely ANGRA is less prog than RHAPSODY. But, if ANGRA is "in", the following albums / bands should have been in to: KAMELOT, SHAMAN, Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA (Metal Opera), ELVEN KING, WARMEN, ROYAL HUNT, DC COOPER and many other bands in the vein of power / melodic metal. Yup, for me personally, ANGRA is a straight power metal band. Full stop. Don't get me wrong though, I love this album very much as I keep playing it for a "change" if I got bored with complex prog music.

NEVERTHELESS, this album is fantastic and the best that the band has ever produced! Pioneered by Germany's HELLOWEEN, almost all bands in the vein of power metal has had a tradition to open an album with a sort of overture, usually with a very intense classical touch for the duration of approximately 1 - 2 minutes and continued seamlessly with dazzling double drum in a high speed beat, it's a metal head-banging stuff - I would say. It's like "Initiation" of Helloween's "Keeper of the Seven Keys". This album os no exception."In Excelsis" (1:03) is very nice and set an exceelent opening to enter a fascinating "Nova Era". One thing to notice is the transition from "In Excelsis" to "Nova Era" is crafted smoothly with a memorable keyboard sound. Oh man .. If you get up in the morning, try playing this opening! It's so uplifting! "Nova Era" is one of my favorite. It's a fantastic melodic metal tune.

"Millennium Sun" is another excellent track with mellow opening in a classical touch, violin at background. Very nice. Another interesting track is "Acid Rain". I could not let my finger not touching the rewind button again to play this track again as it has a very touchy and memorable melody in its interlude. The keyboard solo's melody in the interlude really KILLS ME!!! Oh man ... what an amazing melody! You may recall this track is much more prog than the other tracks but the power metal components are higher in proportion, I think. "Rebirth" and "Judgement Day" are also excellent.

Overall, this album is excellent. Don't expect that you would hear something like classic prog. It's almost straight power metal band. But it's worth collecting. The guitarist, Kiko, and vocalist, Edu, are excellent. Rating 4/5. Hail .. Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.

This album features a brand new line-up. Half of the original members (including the very talented Andre Matos) left and form another progressive metal outfit, Shaman. Regarding this release, it is a huge step backwards (from the progressive point of view), this album is in the vein of the band's debut "Angel's Cry" and far away from the symphonic and Brazilian-flavored "Holy Land". The band seems to have little interest in keep making progressive metal, Andre Matos must have been the member who was more into prog music (his band Shaman has material that is far more progressive). However, this album has some nice moments: the title track and Heroes of Sand, for example. Another interesting track is Unholy Wars, although in some parts it sounds like a "second-rate Carolina IV". The highlight of the album is the beautiful album closer, Visions Prelude which is a very good adaptation of the "Prelude in C minor" by Frederick Chopin, this track is the one that might appeal to progressive listeners. The rest of the album is straight power metal. In conclusion, this is not a bad release but if you expect to hear more progressive metal like in the previous releases you will be very dissapointed.

Angra has returned!! As the album is named "Rebirth" the band is in its process of total renovation, and they have shown us that they can still give us some tasty, powerful and melodic metal with "Rebirth" The new line-up in "Angra" is even better, the new bassist, Felipe Andreoli, is a powerful bassist, with powerful bass lines in songs like "unholy Wars" Aquiles "Octopus" Priester is the type of drummer Angra just needed, powerfdul double bassing, great speed among other aspects, a well deserved nickname of "Octopus" and Edu Falaschi, new vocalist, while not having the high tones Matos had, he can still stay within Angra lines and make them sound powerful, what makes this new vocalist great is the feeling into his songs, great! And back to the album, it opens with a smooth and symphonical "In Excelcis" that is jsut and intro for a more powerful "Nova Era" one of the most reminicent tracks in the album. There are other highlights in the album, like Acid Rain, the speed builder Millennium Sun, the powerful Heroes of Sand, Running Alone and... My favorite track in the album "Unholy Wars" which reminds us of "Carolina IV" from "Holy Land" I just love this track, there is this Brazilian intro, with some classic brazillian sounds, passing into a madful speed metal, I just love the lyrics "Revealing ages while the absence of forgivness rules our lives!" An excelent album in general, a great piece in every Angra collection and most of all my friends... Angra is reborn.

This is a really great album; if you like Stratovarius or something like DT you'll love this band. Aside from the repetitive fast double bass tempos they really got some music skill along with songwriting skill. The only reason this is not a masterpiece is because it lacks unique complexity--sounds like uhhhh....great, but my lack of concentration tells you to decide..but get this album and you'll probably like it.

3.5 stars. Another Power-Metal album from ANGRA, although as usual they mix it up a bit. The title of this record is significant as their lead singer, bass player and drummer have all left, leaving the two lead guitarists to either keep the band going or fold the tent. They obviously decided to continue on, and I must say this is a really good album, in fact I like it a little better than "Holy Land". Interesting that Gunter Werno from VANDEN PLAS guests on this album playing all the piano and synth parts.

"In Excelsis" is a short intro track that is nonetheless a powerful beginning to this record. Cello ends it as it blends into "Nova Era" where we are hit with an onslaught of double bass drumming and guitar as vocals join in. The guitar after 2 1/2 minutes is excellent, riffs follow. It sounds best after 4 minutes. "Millennium Sun" opens with reserved vocals and piano. Cello a minute in. Heaviness follows and it sounds great. Guitar 3 1/2 minutes in is tasteful as a keyboard solo follows. "Acid Rain" features choir-like vocal parts. Love the drum / guitar section that follows. Vocals a minute in. "Heroes Of Sand" is an amazing tune. The mellow vocals sound so good early. The song kicks into a higher gear a minute in. Such an uplifting track.

"Unholy Wars" is the other favourite of mine. Chanting early before guitar and heaviness arrives. The tempo picks up as they're into full Power-Metal mode. Nice chunky bass after 3 1/2 minutes. Check out the vocals a minute later followed by some killer guitar. Great ending as well. "Rebirth" opens with some beautiful acoustic guitar as reserved vocals come in. Some orchestration as it gets heavier. Double bass drumming and guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. "Judgement Day" is the heaviest song yet. A calm before 3 minutes with orchestral sounds. "Running Alone" opens with multi-vocals then it's full speed ahead as we gallop along. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes. Piano 3 1/2 minutes. Big finish. "Visions Prelude" opens with piano as mellow vocals come in. Good song.

Not quite a 4 star rating in my opinion, but a darn good record.

The Brazilian power metal band, I would say progressive power metal, as many elements in their music are very progressive, from ferocious to melodic epic changes that make us go to a cool metal, sometimes filled with symphonic and complex compositions. With this album, angra embarks on an inspiring music, where the experience of the band gained over the years it has accumulated in this impressive work. the piano in some of the songs presented on this album are really essential part of what we hear in rebirth, a voice of Edu Falaschi really lovely, andre matos will be proud of his work, violins and orchestra presented in most of the songs are such a dynamic music with metalheads sounds, and really energetic. In this albumes we find good and sweets melodys, background music seems to sing perfectly the voice of the singer, with powerful vocals and yet catchy, really amazing solos that make us go to elegant jazz passages or a type of rock-jazz-fusion, is incredible the vocal range of the singer , it seems that this work with Temple of shadows albums Makes a masterpiece.I deeply hope another level like this on their next releases, which left me a bit disappointed. One of the best tracks in the symphonic sound that angra used in this album is the great piece of art called "acid rain" where they shows a variety of rhythms trough classic metal, to neo classical style , futuristic sound of the keyboards , vessels with a truly mysterious voice when the singing begins and Kiko riffs start to make scene, really cool.

Heroes of sand-is the sign of a rich composition, which apparently sounds like a ballad in the beginning, with clear vocals and imaginative, but then the sound begins really strong and makes us travel like a world of fantasy, as if we were being escorted by warriors, and the chorus is really beautiful, leaving out the doubts that love and hope exist, only in the middle and end of the song is the most beautiful thing I have heard in my life.

Rebirth - the centerpiece of the album, and one of the best compositions of angra to date, we started with the guitar acoustica medievla leading us to a time where the warrior demands its existence, anda new renaissance in his being, and surprise us with a spontaneous chorus, and in war, or hymn, while the music continues to be a little mellow and aggressive. great song.

actually this is a great album of Angra, and will be one of his best compositions to date with the templeof shadows, where orchestral music is present following the powerful sound of this band and the nice vocals by edu making this album a nice one.

4 solid stars.

Angra (for those of you who dont know) are a Power/Prog band from Brazil (and by far one of the best in their genre) this album 'Rebirth' being their forth album and first with the then new singer Eduardo Falaschi.

Now Angra posess a talent that not many power metal bands of their standards can (only a few Helloween, Edguy, Hammerfall and Gamma Ray being a few examples) and that is not only to have fantastic musicmanship but write songs that just sing themselves, each chorus in this album is very catchy and very well crafted and all round the album is full of excellent guitar riffs and awsome solos taking you in to more of the neo-classical type guitar playing of Yngwie Malmsteen or even Michael Romeo of Symphony X even the intro to the song NOVA ERA is quite Symphony X, although i was quite supprised to hear a slight bot of World or even Aferican style music in the 8 minute epic UNHOLY WARS and even the majesty of HEROS OF SAND is enough to bring tears to a grown man, anyway to the scores;

In Excelsis - Intro Nova Era - 9/10 Millennium Sun 8/10 Acid Rain 8/10 Heroes of Sand 10/10 Unholy Wars 10/10 Rebirth 9/10 Judgement Day 8/10 Running Alone 9/10 Visions Prelude 9/10

Conclusion? Angra are a fantastic metal band weather you call them prog, power metal, neo classical power metal..whatever, this is still a very worthy album to have and a grand piece to any collection

I am a bit of a fan of these crazy Brazillians, do I decide to buy a 2 pack of their albums (this one and Temple Of Shadows)

So, this being my first full Angra album, I thought it was pretty good. To be homest I was expecting a wee bit more from these guys.

I did prefer André Matos as a singer, but that doesn't leave Ed being any less of a singer, and also, doesn't Ed look like Jay from Jay & Silent Bob, and doesn't Rafael Bittencourt look like Steve Perry from Journey.

This album does have some absolute amazing moments though.

1. In Excelesis - Nice epic intro. 8/10

2. Nova Era - Amazing chorus and some amazing instrumental work. The arranment is killer. 10/10

3. Millenium Sun - Odd arrangment, but some killer vocals. 9/10

4. Acid Rain - Pretty kick ass at times. The instrumental sections really make the song what it is. 8/10

5. Heroes Of Sand - Pretty epic song. Very interesting chorus. 9/10

6. Unholy Wars - Wow, I wasn't expecting this. This song has some odd twists and turns, but that just makes it more exciting of a song. The chorus is just magical 10/10

7. Rebirth - Usual Angra song. It's okay, I guess. 7/10

8. Judgement Day - Some killer riffs and cool rhthyms. 8/10

9. Running Alone - Some lovely piano work during the instrumental section. Pretty cool chorus. 9/10

10. Visions (Prelude) - Nice arrangement and a great ending. 9/10

CONCLUSION: Meh...I know these guys can do better. I don't know, maybe this album will grow on me.

Rebirth: it would have been hard to find a more fitting title for Angra's fourth full-length album, the first after the band split in two and was left for dead at the time by many specialized magazines. Singer Andre Matos and the entire rhythm section comprised of Luís Mariutti and Ricardo Confessori departed to form Shaman, leaving guitarists Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt to pick up the pieces. The duo recruited Felipe Andreoli (bass), Aquiles Priester (drums) and Edu Falaschi (vocals) to try and keep the Angra ship alive. But the album does not feel like a rebirth just in terms of its revolutionized line-up. It is also a musical rebirth, after a record, Fireworks, that was probably too ambitious for its own good and ultimately felt a bit like a mixed bag.

Rebirth does not waste any time to let the listener know that things have changed. In this sense, opener (after the obligatory orchestral intro) "Nova Era" is a strong statement of intents. The Brazilian folk experimentations of the past line-up are considerably toned down (though they still surface on a couple of songs) in favour of a more direct and fast-tempo speed/power metal approach that immediately showcases the talents of the new line-up, particularly of drummer Aquiles Priester and singer Edu Falaschi. Although Falaschi does not have the unique charm of Matos' voice, his range is impressive and his crystalline delivery shows that Angra have found an excellent substitute for their iconic former singer. Elsewhere the album moves in more progressive territories, with songs ("Millennium Sun", "Unholy Wars", "Running Alone") built around complex structures, tempo changes, extended instrumental passages, and great orchestral arrangements, courtesy of Günter Werno from German prog metallers Vanden Plas.

These tracks are what elevates Rebirth above the standard power metal sound that one can find aplenty on albums released in the late 1990s / early 2000s. At the same time, the music is more streamlined, direct and powerful than what typically characterizes a prog metal release. In this way, Rebirth walks the fine line between the two worlds, pleasing fans of standard European (and especially Italian) power metal as well as those of more progressively-inclined bands like Queensrÿche and Dream Theatre.

In large part, Rebirth is a success story as the tunes are pleasant, accessible and at the same time sufficiently varied and multifaceted to keep things interesting. But, as a prog metal aficionado, I cannot help but miss the drive to experiment and push things forward and in unexpected directions that had characterized the earlier work of the band. It is particularly songs like "Acid Rain", "Heroes of Sand" and "Judgment Day" that haven't aged very well: lacking a strong melodic presence and deprived of interesting forward-thinking moments, these tracks fall a bit flat and bog down an album that remains nevertheless better than average.

[Also posted on metalmusicarchives.com and metal-archives.com]