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REBIRTH
Track List: In Excelsis (1.05); Nova Era (4.52); Millennium Sun (5.09); Acid Rain (6.09); Heroes of Sand (4.37); Unholy Wars (8.13); Rebirth (5.15); Judgement Day (5.37); Running Alone (7.12); Visions Prelude
(4.31).
I had never previously listened to Angra because the "power metal" tag had put me off. It was, therefore, with trepidation that I put this CD into my machine and turned the volume up - yet this was a
revelation! There's good strong music here alright, but it's highly melodic as well as powerful; big operatic chorus sections are set against huge symphonic instrumental parts - and there's some
excellent guitar work too. In short, I was hooked from the first listen and I've got to admit, it sounds better with each listen...
'Rebirth' is a fitting title for the album. After the band's world tour for their last album 'Fireworks' in 1998, three members quit leaving the two guitarists Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt. The
pair took time to ensure that they recruited the right people to the reformed Angra, and vocalist Edu Falaschi, bass player Filipe Andreoli and drummer Aquiles Priester were announced as the new line up last year.
Loureiro and Bittencourt are obviously the driving force behind Angra:
Bittencourt writes all of the lyrics and came up with the cover concept, while the two of them write most of the music and also arranged the keyboard and string sections.
'In Excelsis' introduces the
album with a stormy atmosphere and leads into the fast paced rhythms and strong guitar work of 'Nova Era'. Falaschi immediately demonstrates his fitness for the role of vocalist; his voice is strong and smooth and creates a perfect frontispiece to the rich melifluousness of the heavy instrumentation. The chorus is enhanced by super harmonised vocals lines and a brief central instrumental sector delivers some virtuoso guitar work ... excellent all round.
'Millennium Sun' provides a complete contrast as it begins as a much slower number - almost balladic. Then the pace picks up and we're into a real rock piece.
I find the chorus of this absolutely fascinating as they've created a Phil Spector-like effect with the multi tracked vocals, which really lifts and highlights the track.
An operatic massed choir opens 'Acid Rain' before the rock sound returns. Intricate instrumentation flows throughout this number with short operatic reprises providing a lighter note.
A fine example of the art of combining differing forms of music.
Another change of mood in 'Heroes of Sand' which opens with a serene, contemplative feel. Gentle multi tracked vocals are supported by a simple acoustic guitar tune. The full band join in for the the
latter part of the track which just builds and builds in intensity and emotion. Again excellent use of vocal harmonies, more great guitar work and a strong presence from the band's new rhythm section.
The track 'Unholy Wars' contains two parts: 'Imperial Crown' and Forgiven Return' and much is to be found within its length.
Spoken voices usher in the chanting which precedes the strongly rhythmic music which accompanies the first section of the song culminating in a short, very uplifting verse. The tone of the instrumentation then changes, becoming deeper, darker and more subdued only to pick up for the Eastern influenced music that closes the piece.
Gentle guitar work opens the title track 'Rebirth' and the vocals are sweet and true in accord. As the track progresses the pace pick up and the the music, matched by Edu's voice, strengthens and builds before
it finally ends, as it began, with the pure and gentle acoustic sound.
Grungy guitars, topped by jangling a piano introduces 'Judgement Day', a powerful piece which is quickly followed by 'Running Alone'.
A brief operatic chorus gives way to the complicated guitar work that leads us into this fast paced number which comes complete with lashing of vocal harmonies, excellent piano work and displays of guitar virtuosity - all of these combined into a very attractive and pleasing whole... It just takes your breath away!
The final track, 'Visions Prelude', is adapted from Chopin's Opus 24 in C minor and will be very familiar to most people - if only because Barry Manilow used the same source for one of his songs!
Here it provides a beautiful and impassioned end piece which is truly wonderful.
All in all, a fabulous album which I have been playing constantly for the last few weeks - and it will be taking its place amongst my favourite CDs. If you appreciate good music you really should give this
'Rebirth' a listen...
Marisa 5th December, 2001
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