Album Review
Angra play slick, modern prog-power metal that sounds most directly inspired by Iron Maiden's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, latter Angel Dust, and probably a host of other bands I've had the fortune of never hearing. Albums like this remind me that sometimes writing reviews is more about work than pleasure, and most of the time work is no fun.
These are studio musicians hell-bent bent on taking the metal out of the metal, and replacing it with pitchshifted keyboard solos and fretless bass. Some fast melodic riffing, operatic vocals, and virtuosic solos make it clear that this album is supposed to appeal to metal fans, but a complete lack of soul or sensible songwriting pretty much ensure this album won't appeal to anyone. The musicians also sounds so captured by their focus on nailing their individual parts, that they've lost any concept of dynamics or heaviness. While this clearly talented band could hammer the listener with some tight transitions or off the cuff musical exploration, they seem content to plod along at a single, moderately fast tempo. Aurora Consurgens also clocks in at over 50 minutes, an excruciating amount of time to a listen to an album that draws so liberally from a single bag of tricks.
Prog metal like this seems more a forum for musicians to prove to themselves the heights of their own talents, and less a forum for actual entertainment. Truly a chore to listen to.
These are studio musicians hell-bent bent on taking the metal out of the metal, and replacing it with pitchshifted keyboard solos and fretless bass. Some fast melodic riffing, operatic vocals, and virtuosic solos make it clear that this album is supposed to appeal to metal fans, but a complete lack of soul or sensible songwriting pretty much ensure this album won't appeal to anyone. The musicians also sounds so captured by their focus on nailing their individual parts, that they've lost any concept of dynamics or heaviness. While this clearly talented band could hammer the listener with some tight transitions or off the cuff musical exploration, they seem content to plod along at a single, moderately fast tempo. Aurora Consurgens also clocks in at over 50 minutes, an excruciating amount of time to a listen to an album that draws so liberally from a single bag of tricks.
Prog metal like this seems more a forum for musicians to prove to themselves the heights of their own talents, and less a forum for actual entertainment. Truly a chore to listen to.
Sam |
posted on 1/2007 |
I for one loved this cd, The voice just is in perfect pitch and tune with the amazing guitar work at hand. With all the reviews i have rarely seen a comment to the fact that the drummer is amazing with fitting the style. He can keep up with the pounding riffs weather full out speed or melotic tunes.
I highly enjoy the new age speed and technique of guitars, but still have the same feeling of duel guitars, and various ranged singing of the 80's genres. (Iron madien in mind, huge fan)
I cant see this being too much metal at all, the bass and synth work is quite extrodianry and musicanship does blow my mind. I enjoy the great solos brought out as few bands have, and I am getting away from american metal besides a few bands (dream theater) because of the screaming mess i hear.
Either way the album is one of the great works of this amazing bands I do believe, and a good follow up to Temple of Shadows but not quite surpassing. Great work again and i will be looking forward to more great albums
Danilo |
posted on 1/2007 |
As a Brazilian and Angra fan, I'm disappointed with this review. Maybe this Dave guy got a copy of the pre-release CD which wasn't very good indeed because of the low quality of the tracks. Anyway, when I did high school my teachers would never let me give them a 3 paragraph composition. This is disrespectful.
The Great Deceiver |
posted on 1/2007 |
Shit, what a weak review. And not in the sense that the reviewer didn't like it, but simply because it doesn't even sound like he gave the album much time at all. Temple of Shadows took me a while to get fully into and I'm sure this is even more along the same lines, considering the evolution of the band since Rebirth.
Don't get me wrong, I respect your opinion if you just don't like the style but even the description given makes me wonder if maybe someone else should have reviewed this, someone familiar with the band's previous efforts. Angel Dust is one of my all time favorite bands and I wouldn't throw their name out when describing Angra, that's for sure.
I'll be very interested to hear this one, who knows maybe the scores are spot on. But I'm doubtful about that.
davefons |
posted on 1/2007 |
and I didn't even notice the Angel Dust ref. You truely don't like Enlighten the Darknes or Bleed (of Human Bondage blows)? Damn man, those are two great albums and now maybe I have to check this disc out afterall. I can be it in Taiwan cheap, that place is like Angra and Stratovarious heaven.
This is a less interesting attempt at that style.
justinbean |
posted on 1/2007 |
@jasonw/metalreview
yah, those two album reviews were sticking out in my mind. they're big releases that i think deserve more attention. but i loves metalreview, i really do. i dont know of another site that holds its own next to metalreview (and i used to write here too, so im biased). but youre right, i didnt mean to imply that reviews have gotten dismissive in general.
Lee |
posted on 1/2007 |
and I didn't even notice the Angel Dust ref. You truely don't like Enlighten the Darknes or Bleed (of Human Bondage blows)? Damn man, those are two great albums and now maybe I have to check this disc out afterall. I can be it in Taiwan cheap, that place is like Angra and Stratovarious heaven.
Lee |
posted on 1/2007 |
I don't really care, just my opinon, but you now anytime you slam somethin with a one paragraph overviews. Just an opinion. You are getting fucking gripey in your old age Dave........save that shit for when you are in your 30's.
For what it is worth I totally agree with you. Nothing is worse then putting how well you can nail your part over how well you can write a metal song.
davefons |
posted on 1/2007 |
Well, I'm not going to give this an album a free pass becuase some people think this is true. It's not good, that's all that matters. I've given good, bad, and mediocre reviews to all sorts of bands, regardless of genre. Sometimes your cred is put in jeopardy b/c you have to slam an album that people will probably stick up for, no matter how bad it is.
mak28 |
posted on 1/2007 |
No division in metal here. It's all about what's good and what's not in each genre that gets me. I love black metal, death metal and happen to be a huge fan of thrash as well. Yet, I still love power and progressive metal. Angra is high quality power metal. That's not even much of an opinion. It's more of a fact because they've been highly regarded since their landmark debut in 93. They are also no rip-off like Sonata Arctica (Stratovarius). They've been carving their own path for quite some time.
All that said, I can't rip the review for the low rating. Someone who isn't a fan of the style is going to hate it. On the other hand, there is some credence in giving an album it's due for what it is, solid for a power metal release. and being accurate about the content within. Neither of those happened.
Bottom line: It's all opinion. The reviewer didn't like it. I did. No biggee. Still fans of the genre should still be all over this band. At least pick-up Temple of Shadows if not this album to see what the fuss is about.
Lee |
posted on 1/2007 |
Well it just shows the division in metal fans, you have your fans that think Converge and Death Metal are the only metal and then you have those that think bands like Angra and Sonata Arctica is the only metal and you get scores the reflect that. There are plenty of sites you can go to that will give this album a 90+ so it all boils down to which side of the metal fence you straddle and what you consider Metal.
justinbean |
posted on 1/2007 |
maybe its just me, but lately metalreview has been dismissing work by talented artists with some pithy paragraphs and not much analysis of the actual music. knowing angra, i find it hard to believe that in 50 minutes they didn't do anything worth mentioning. i like your reviews in general, dave, but im surprised to see a review such as this. granted i havent heard this so perhaps you're hitting the nail on the head. but this is my two cents.
mak28 |
posted on 1/2007 |
One of the best progressive power metal bands to ever grace the scene. Certainly one of the most talented bands, they're songwriting is far more mature and evolved than most anything in the genre. 6,5,6 IMO
I really don't understand the "plodding along at a single, moderately fast tempo." Most of your review is just opinion which you obviously aren't a fan, which is fine but that statement is wrong. There's quite a bit of variety in pace on the album from the solemn acoustic closer to the blazing speed of The Voice Commanding You and everywhere in between. Their ability to switch things up is one of many characteristics that have set them head and shoulders above the masses for over 15 years.
Fans of the band should like it or love it. Maybe not their best but there's not a bad song in the bunch. It's no Temple of Shadows but few albums are.
asheswillremain |
posted on 1/2007 |
I agree with the rating here. I had extremely high hopes for this album, it being the follow up to one of my favorite metal albums of all time Temple of Shadows. Unfortunately, this album really let me down. The musicianship is still great, but it's hard to see how these songs were written by the same band. The writing on their last album was excellent, but these songs just sound tired.
d'brickashaw |
posted on 1/2007 |
I have to admit that I really expected to see 5's and 6's when opening an Angra review - man was I surprised to read this one! I apologize in advance for the lashes you'll recieve on this one dave.
Haven't heard this album, and think I'll stick to their back catalogue.
Zaibach |
posted on 1/2007 |
I so don't understand that score.
I've been listening to this one for a while now and in my opinion.. it rock!
Anyway, I will always take a look on the albums you give low scores and won't look at albums you give high scores, due to the fact that, 99% of the time, I like albums you give bad review and I hate albums you praise.
That said, I have nothing agains't you Dave but, our taste in music is definitely different from one another.
Have a good day!
brandonmetal |
posted on 1/2007 |
wow- did this dude even look at other angra reviews? not that that's necessarily important, i'm just saying that this is NOT unappealing to all progpower metalheads.
I hear a mix of the heaviness and driving metal of Brainstorm and the progressive forms of Karmakanic, with the vocal styles reminiscent of both. This IS an album of variety, and FUN to listen to. As far as I know, it's the only worthy power metal album of 2006. I give it a 6/5/5