08/07/06

ANGRA PUTS THE FINAL TOUCHES ON THE NEW ALBUM

Angra is currently putting the very final touches on its new album. Currently unnamed, it will be hitting the stores in October, preceded by a single in September. The record is a highlight of the band’s 15th anniversary celebrations.

Recordings were held in two different studios. Mapex artist, Aquiles Priester did his sessions at the House Of Audio studios in Germany, under the guidance of long time producer Dennis Ward. Afterwards, Dennis flew down to Brazil to record all other parts with Kiko Loureiro, Rafael Bittencourt, Felipe Andreoli and Edu Falaschi. The so-called Brazilian sessions took place at the Via Musique Estúdios in São Paulo with Thiago Bianchi as the assistant producer. Dennis is currently mixing the material in Germany.

Musically, the new album depicts a much heavier Angra, without losing the usual style of the band. In fact, all tunes still rely on the influence of Brazilian music and there is a lot of percussion in the arrangements and several orchestral parts. Rafael, Kiko, Felipe and Edu all participated in the songwriting process so the album is quite diverse. Contrary to the groundbreaking “Temple Of Shadows,” this is not a concept album.

The artwork for the album is also currently in progress and will be another amazing piece of art courtesy of Portuguese artist Isabel de Amorim.

Angra is also resuming the “Temple Of Shadows” tour, which accounts for more than 120 dates overall. The very final show of the tour will happen on August 19th at the Brasil Metal Union festival. This festival is a reunion of the main Brazilian heavy metal bands and Angra will special guest for the very first time.

The first big event of the next world tour is also very close. Angra will play in the Loud Park Festival, held in Tokyo, Japan, on October 14th and 15th. Besides Angra, other confirmed names in the festival include Slayer, Megadeth, Napalm Death, Backyard Babies and Ministry.