Angra - Hunters And Prey


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Steamhammer
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 38:14:00

Hunters And Prey is the name of the new mini-album by famed Brazilian band Angra who recently released the "new" Angra album Rebirth with three new members. I'm really loving this new look (and new sound) Angra, who have transcended all of my hopes after what happened with the break-up a few years ago and this new album is to tide you, the listener, over until these Brazilians return with another overblown full-length album.

Hunters And Prey is a nice cross-section of songs that were recorded during the Rebirth sessions. Briefly, here's description of each song.

"Live and Learn" - is purely a symphonic speed metal track and a glorious opener. There's some really clever guitar work here and if this is the shape of things to come from Angra then we're in for a real treat.

"Bleeding Heart" - is a ballad. Yes, it's fairly typical but Edu Falaschi (v) works as close to Andre Matos (ex-Angra vocalist) as he has done yet. Some really passionate work.

"Hunters And Prey" - is as close to any Holy Land track as you're likely to get. It sounds like a cross between "Carolina IV" and "Nothing To Say" and has many traditional Brazilian rhythms.

"Eyes Of Christ" - begins as a straight, rock 'n' roll number but it soon rises above with heaps of simple but impressive symphonic keys by Kiko Loureiro (g/k) and it has a very easy to listen rhythm by Aquiles Priester (d) and Felipe Andreoli (b).

Two acoustic songs follow with the title track from the debut Edu Falashchi album "Rebirth" and "Heroes of Sand." Both are nice tangents from the symphonic power of the rest of the album.

"Mama" - is a Genesis cover and extremely varied and heavy. I don't remember the original very well but they've managed to capture that Genesis sound extremely well.

"Caca E Cacador" - is the Portuguese version of "Hunters And Prey." Simply superb. I love hearing songs in different languages because you can sing along and not know what you're singing, too ;). I love it.

For your info, some of the keyboards are handled by Günter Werno (Vanden Plas) and the production was done by Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69).

I'm still amazed at the talent that this band possesses. They are heavily influenced by classical German power metal bands yet they remain steeped in traditional Brazilian rhythms which put the band ahead of so many others. The addition of Edu Falaschi (ex-Symbols) on vocals was a gold mine for the band and the tightness of the work of original Angra guitarists Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro is simply jaw-dropping. Their execution and style is nothing short of brilliant and the songs are so catchy, so rhythmically enthralling that I'm really looking forward to further Angra releases. Another high point is the work of the backing choirs and vocals - always an emphasis on Angra albums - that have been given a work-over like no other and the intricate sounds that spew forth from your speakers is a wonderful. Everything is so precise and, dare I say it, happy. And this enthusiasm transcends from the studio to the studio album.

There is also a multimedia section which is, I say with utter confidence, brilliant. Heaps of photographs and the video is well put together and the whole package just works. Congratulations. This mini-album is superb. If it misses anything - it would have worked tremendously with a couple of live tracks thrown in give the listeners a taste of the Falaschi dominance. But who cares ? that'll come later anyway.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Live And Learn / Bleeding Heart / Hunters And Prey / Eyes Of Christ / Rebirth (acoustic) / Heroes Of Sand (acoustic) / Mama / Caça E Caçador

Musicians:
Eduardo Falaschi - vocals
Kiko Loureiro - guitars
Rafael Bittencourt - guitars
Felipe Andreoli - bass
Aquiles Priester - drums

Guest:

Günter Werno - keyboards

Discography:
Reaching Horizons (1992) (Demo-Tape)
Angels Cry (1993)
Holy Land (1996)
Freedom Call (ep) (1996)
Holy Live (ep) (1997)
Fireworks (1998)
Rebirth (2001)
Hunters And Prey (ep) (2002)
Rebirth World Tour - Live in Sáo Paulo (2002)
Temple Of Shadows (2004)
Aurora Consurgens (2006)
Aqua (2010)
Best Reached Horizons (2012)
Angels Cry - 20th Anniversary Tour (2013)
Secret Garden (2014)

Rebirth World Tour - Live in Sáo Paulo (DVD) (2003)
Angels Cry - 20th Anniversary Tour (2013)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin BR

Added: November 26th 2004
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.angra.net
Hits: 3362
Language: english

  

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