ANGRA

(BRAZIL)

HOLY LAND

(1996)
LABEL:

SPV STEAMHAMMER

GENRE:

MELODIC METAL

TAGS:
High-pitched vocals, Hovering, Symphonic
"By cutting the links which attached it to the speed metal scene, Angra crosses a stage and "Holy Land" marks a first turning point in the career of the group."
NOISE (29.08.2003)  
4/5
(0) opinions (1) comment(s) (1) Biography + (3)
Angra releases their second album, Holy land in 1996. After the success of their first album, "Angel's cry", especially in Japan and Germany, and a successful European tour, the band go back to Brazil where they write new songs in June 1995. They then returns to the studios in Germany under the direction of Charlie Bauerfeind and Sacha Paeth. The album is delayed because of André Matos' voice problems and the recording will be finished only in January 1996.

With "Holy Land", Angra crosses a stage and marks a first turning point in his career. He almost completely cut the links that attached him to the speed metal scene, tired of being constantly compared to Helloween and co. If the classical or Brazilian influences were already present on "Angel's cry", they are more subtle here. Only the intro ('Crossing') is borrowed from an Italian composer, Palestrina. The rest is composed by the band itself.

"Holy Land" is a concept album about the history of Brazil. After the intro, the album starts with a classic speed track, 'Nothing to say', which still brings them closer to Helloween. The talent of the musicians and the remarkable work of Ricardo Confessori on drums make this track a pure hit especially thanks to its chorus.

The musical journey really starts with 'Silence and distance', the first track on which the band emancipates itself. It is slower on the chorus, more progressive with an omnipresent piano. Then follows the real piece of bravery of the disc that is 'Carolina IV' with a duration of 10 minutes sublimated by Brazilian influences perfectly integrated thanks to precise percussions and choirs just as successful. Without doubt one of the greatest titles of Angra.

In the end, we find ourselves in front of a very rich and close to perfection record. Melody and technique are gathered in an ethnic style of the most original. Everything is to be discovered in this "Holy Land", sumptuous album until the booklet which unfolds on an old map of the world. Unquestionably Angra has made one of the best heavy metal records of the 90s.
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. Crossing
02. Nothing To Say
03. Silence and Distance
04. Carolina IV
05. Holy Land
06. The Shaman
07. Make Believe
08. Z.I.T.O.
09. Deep Blue
10. Lullaby For Lucifer

LINEUP:
André Matos: Chant
Kiko Loureiro: Guitares
Luis Mariutti: Basse
Rafael Bittencourt: Guitares
Ricardo Confessori: Batterie
   
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IS93000
16/08/2015
 
224
0
Simplement monumental, que des titres inspirées, une vraie révélation à l'époque...
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READERS
4.2/5 (13 view(s))
STAFF:
3.9/5 (10 view(s))
MY RATING
 
LAST NEWS
ANGRA: New album in November
 
OTHER REVIEWS
ANGRA: Angels Cry (1993)
MELODIC METAL - On bases close to a Helloween or a Gamma Ray, Angra brings a real freshness thanks to the contribution of classical and Brazilian influences, a pair of guitarists of great talent and a singer who can go up in the trebles with a disconcerting ease.
ANATHEMA: A Fine Day To Exit (1999)
ATMOSPHERIC METAL - "A Fine Day To Exit" sees Anathema abandoning her metal origins for a lighter but just as bewitching music.
 
 
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