Angra

ANGRA [BR] - Progressive Metal

Line-up changes

Lead vocals 1: André Matos (91-00) > Edu Falaschi (01-12) > Fabio Lione (12-now)
Lead vocals 2: Rafael Bittencourt (12-now)
Guitars 1: Rafael Bittencourt (91-now)
Guitars 2: André Linhares (91-92) > André Hernandes (92-93) > Kiko Loureiro (93-now)
Keyboards: André Matos (91-00)
Bass: Luis Mariutti (91-00) > Felipe Andreoli (01-now)
Drums: Marco Antunes (91-93) > Ricardo Confessori (93-00) > Aquiles Priester (01-08) > Ricardo Confessori (09-14) > Bruno Valverde (14-now)
In bold: the "Temple Of Shadows" line-up

Recommended albums

#1 Temple Of Shadows
2004

#2 Holy Land
1996

#3 Angels Cry
1994

Discography

Andre Matos
01|1993|Angels Cry
753 (#3)
02|1996|Holy Land
770 (#2)
03|1998|Fireworks
715 (#6)
Edu Falaschi
04|2001|Rebirth
BR (Gold) | 731 (#4)
05|2004|Temple Of Shadows
BR #10 (Gold) | 785 (#1)
06|2006|Aurora Consurgens
BR #14 | 682 (#7)
07|2010|Aqua
BR #11 | 643 (#8)
Fabio Lione
08|2015|Secret Garden
722 (#5)

Rock Report's choice

Temple Of Shadows

Steamhammer, 2004
Produced by Dennis Ward
Charts: BR #10 (Gold)
Ratings: PA: 4.16 (186) | RYM: 3.69 (955)
Total rating: 785
Updated: 150120

Line-up

Edu Falaschi (v)
Kiko Loureiro (g, bv)
Rafael Bittencourt (g, bv)
Felipe Andreoli (b, bv)
Aquiles Priester (d)
+
Fábio Laguna (k)
Hansi Kürsch (v on tr. 9)
Kai Hansen (v on tr. 6)
Milton Nascimento (v on tr. 12)
Sabine Edelsbacher (v on tr. 2 8)

Track listing

Songwriters

EF = Edu Falaschi
KL = Kiko Loureiro
RB = Rafael Bittencourt

Rock Report review

"Temple Of Shadows" is being advertised as the first real album of Angra after the much talked about split-up that led to the foundation of Shaman with Matos, Mariutti and Confessori on the one hand and that of a 'new' Angra with Loureiro and Bittencourt on the other. New vocalist Edu Falaschi (ex-Symbols) and rhythm section Felipe Andreoli (bass) and Aquiles Priester (drums) all proved they deserved a spot in the band's line-up on 2001's "Rebirth" album. Sound wise, that album was practically a continuation of what could be heard on "Fireworks" three years earlier, albeit a bit more straightforward maybe. This time we really get to hear what direction Angra wants to take in the future. Let me immediately calm you down: they haven't drastically changed their style. They only shifted up at least one gear and recorded some of their fastest material up to now: album openers "Spread Your Fire" and "Angels And Demons" for instance or even more in "Temple Of Hate" and "Winds Of Destination", logical guest appearances by Gamma Ray and Blind Guardian vocalists Kai Hansen and Hansi Kürsch included. Not a very good choice in my humble opinion, but fortunately there's more on this album than speed. "Waiting Silence" is one of the best and - not surprisingly - most melodic tracks on "Temple Of Shadows" and reminds of pre-split-up Angra. It's also remarkable how Edu's voice resembles Matos's on some moments. Other highlights are semi-ballad "Wishing Well" (more Matos like vocals here), the exotic "Shadow Hunter" and "No Pain For The Dead".
Angra still lose the battle of Shaman as far as my judgement counts, but they certainly have delivered a very good fifth album, on which the fast and heavy moments are compensated by more melodic and slower song material. In short: a balanced album that will find its way into the hands of many melodic metal fanatics.
Stijn Lambert, November 2004