Search - Shaman :: Ritual

If Angra hadn't started sucking, they'd be Shaman

Dan Solera | Chicago, IL USA | 11/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Once upon a time there was a painfully good Brazilian power-metal band by the name of Angra. Sometime near the dawn of the new millennium, the band split, and those who kept the name Angra continued to craft mediocre and forgettable songs that lacked the folklore that kept albums like 1996's Holy Land at the top of enthusiast's metal collection.



Then, hidden under the rubble that used to be songs about castles and dragons, we find a gem. So it turned out that the remaining members of Angra who did not continue the path to oblivion formed another band by the name of Shaman, incidentally also a song on Holy Land. The result: a perfect mix.



The album starts off with the ultra-melodic "Ancient Winds", which blends the folk elements that we heard in songs like "Z.I.T.O" and "The Shaman" with Sascha Paeth's symphonic diligence. While most power metal bands start us off with a 1-2 minute intro, this one breaks three minutes of glorious melody.



Then a slump. Strangely enough, the second and third tracks ("Here I Am" and "Distant Thunder") don't live up to the standard set by the album's intro. In fact, they fall dangerously short. The embody the mediocre power metal that I criticized earlier. However, we continue listening until we reach the brilliant "For Tomorrow", which combines medieval humility with a slow, but powerful guitar crunch. With wailing harmonics and Andre Matos' piercing voice, the song redeems the previous two.



Then the album only gets better. "Time Will Come" is perfect. It's neither predictable nor does it depart too far from power-metal's technically limited arsenal. In fact, with today's endless supply of bands, it's very difficult to pinpoint what makes a power-metal song truly stand out. But whatever it is, this song has it. "Over Your Head" has its moments, but it is unfortunately sandwiched in between "Time Will Come" and -



- "Fairy Tale". This is one of the album's two absolutely remarkable tracks. It is elegant, charming, seductive and epic all neatly woven into a superb 7-minute concoction. It begins with two female singers, continues to a beautiful piano line and Matos' soft voice, and then explodes into a mysterious ballad. The song is extremely similar to Angra's "Deep Blue", but with an added gothic flare. I can't praise this song enough.



Of the remaining three tracks, I approve of all but strongly recommend the triumphant closer, "Pride". Enlisting the help of fellow power-metalhead Tobias Sammet (Edguy), the band really packs the "power" into their genre, one vein at a time. It is another superb example of a power-metal song well done.



The album is splendid. I love it. Shaman, along with Kamelot, are quite possibly the only bands keeping this genre's heart beating. It's quite the responsibility, but someone has to do it.



See also: Angra - "Holy Land", Masterplan - "Masterplan""

Angra, who?

Moonsorrow | 02/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It seems that André Matos took off all the good ideas from Angra (when he left to form Shaman)... Shaman is simply very much better than new Angra. Song by song, "Ritual" seduces me more than "Rebirth" and "Temple Of The Shadows", the two Angra's albums without Matos and with new singer.... This is how Angra should be these days!"

Not bad

G LISTER NZ | Wellington, New Zealand | 06/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this would have been the direction Angra would have gone if Andre Matos had more decisive control over the band, which is probably why he left and two existing members followed. The latest albums released by Angra with a new line up are ok but lacks the melodic power they once had. I would recommend this album if you like Andres vocals and key board playing as well as just awesome heavy metal with catchy riffs and well structured songs."