Angra (band)
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Angra (which means "Goddess of Fire") is the name for a power metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for putting regional elements in their songs.
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Biography
Founded by singer André Matos, Angra released its first demo ("Reaching Horizons") in 1992. In 1998 after the release of their album "Fireworks", singer André Matos, bass player Luís Mariutti, and drummer Ricardo Confessori left the band due to their disagreements with the band's management. They went on to form the band Shaaman.
Vocalist Edu Falaschi, drummer Aquiles Priester, and bassist Felipe Andreoli have joined founding members, guitarists and main songwriters Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt to complete the new lineup of Angra.
The essence of the musical style that made the band successful worldwide is still intact. Listeners will notice even more powerful guitars, with catchy riffs and memorable solos, vocals with huge feeling, and the thundering rhythm section, that gather the strength of heavy metal with classical influences and typical Brazilian sounds.
Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt, both renowned musicians, have been in the ranks of Angra since its inception back in 1991. Each of the three new musicians were chosen because of their experience, technical abilities, and perfect matching with the rest of the group, both artistically and personally, since the first rehearsals.
Handling vocal duties is 28-year-old Edu Falaschi. Because of his experience, impressive stage presence, and longtime friendship with the other members of Angra, Falaschi was somewhat of a natural choice. Edu has been a professional singer since 1992, when he recorded his first album with the band Mitrium. In 1994 he participated in a contest to choose the singer to replace Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden and was one of the finalists from around the world. He recorded two CDs with the band Symbols, Symbols (1998) and Call to the End (2000), aside from recordings with other side projects. Falaschi's influences are '80s heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden, the Scorpions, and Dio. Through the years, he has developed his own way of singing - a melodious but powerful voice. Today he is one of Brazil's most respected metal singers.
Aquiles Priester, Angra's new drummer, was born in South Africa on June 25th, 1971. Living in Brazil since age five, Priester fell in love with music in 1985, courtesy of the first edition of the world famous Rock In Rio festival, which had big impact in the Brazilian scene back then. Hugely influenced by heavy metal, he took part of many bands in the town of Porto Alegre, where he lived. He started getting noticed as a musician when he joined local band Hangar, an opening-act for Angra in a Porto Alegre gig in 1998. In the following year, Priester was invited to record Nomad, former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno's solo album, recorded in Brazil solely with Brazilian musicians. He also played on the extensive tour that followed Nomad's release. Such experience, plus his great talent, made him the perfect drummer to join Angra.
New bassist Felipe Andreoli was born in São Paulo in March 7th, 1980. He started playing the acoustic guitar when he was 12. A year later, influenced by the likes of Metallica and Megadeth, he turned his attention to the bass guitar. From 1993 to 1997 he joined many bands, playing cover versions and original material alike. He gained some experience with such semiprofessional acts. With local band Metris, he had his first recording experience in 1997. By the end of 1999, he was invited to join the band Karma and recorded with group its first CD, Inside The Eyes. He also played on the band Di'Anno, having recorded the Nomad CD and taken part of the tour that followed the release of the album. Among the many bassists he admires are big names like Billy Sheehan and Jaco Pastorius.
Line-up
- Eduardo Falaschi (born May 8, 1972 in São Paulo, Brazil) - Vocals
- Kiko Loureiro (Pedro Henrique Loureiro, born June 16, 1972 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - Guitar
- Rafael Bittencourt (born October 22, 1971 in Brazil) - Guitar
- Felipe Andreoli (born March 7, 1980 in Brazil) - Bass
- Aquiles Priester (born June 26, 1971 in South Africa) - Drums
- Fábio Laguna - Keyboards
Former members
- André Matos (André Coelho Matos, born September 14, 1971 in São Paulo, Brazil) - Vocals
- Luís Mariutti (Luís Eduardo Mariutti Pereira, born March 22, 1971 in São Paulo, Brazil) - Bass
- Ricardo Antunes - Drums
- Ricardo Confessori (born January 16, 1969 in São Paulo, Brazil) - Drums
- Fábio Ribeiro - Keyboards
Discography
Albums
- Angels Cry (1993)
- Reaching Horizons, (EP, 1992)
- Evil Warning, (EP, 1994)
- Holy Land (1996)
- Freedom Call (EP, 1996)
- Fireworks (1998)
- Lisbon (Single, 1998)
- Rebirth (2001)
- Acid Rain, (Single, 2001)
- Hunters and Prey (EP, 2002)
- Temple of Shadows (2004)
- Wishing Well (Single, 2004)
Live
- Holy Live, (EP, 1997)
- Rebirth World Tour - Live in São Paulo (2002)