Triumphant Return
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 04/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"And to think I was worried when I first heard that Angra "broke up" in 2000. Little did I know that the result of the split would result in not one but two great progressive power metal bands. Original vocalist Andre Matos, bassist Luis Mariutti, and drummer Ricardo Confessori left to start the excellent Shaman (Matos has since exited for a solo career), while the remaining members brought in some new blood, most notably vocalist Edu Falaschi, and re-launched Angra in 2001 with the breathtaking album Rebirth.
As much as I love the early Angra albums, Rebirth is the album I'm most likely to wear out from repeated listens. Rebirth comes across as a more polished, more mature version of the band's debut album Angels Cry. All of the elements that made that album a classic are present here, from the high-speed guitars to the prominent keyboards to the fantastic melodies to Angra's signature Brazilian musical elements. On top of that, the band finally has a vocalist who doesn't have to rely exclusively on high notes. Edu Falaschi is a major talent, and his powerful soaring voice is no doubt a welcome change for those who were put off by Andre Matos's high-pitched style (which to be honest I never minded).
This album is so powerful and so melodic that it took all of 30 seconds of the first song (after the obligatory instrumental intro) to have me totally sold. Very few power metal albums leave me breathless like Rebirth did, and six years later it still has every bit as much an impact. Aside from that throwaway intro track, there isn't a weak moment on the whole album. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Every single song on Rebirth is an absolute classic.
Put Rebirth right up there with Holy Land as the crown jewels of the Angra discography. Fans of great melodic power metal, from Iron Maiden and Helloween to Dragonforce and Brainstorm need to add Rebirth to their collections."
Ambitious, energetic Progressive Power Metal.
D. Knouse | vancouver, washington United States | 03/16/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"4.5 stars. Most of this album is truly inspired and enjoyable throughout. However, there are a few moments, small sections of songs, that feel strained; and the final track falls completely flat. After many great songs explode with refreshing energy and intricate arrangements, the last slow song simply cannot compete with the rest of the album. While I prefer "Temple of Shadows" over this release, Angra has shown with their last three releases that Kamelot has some serious competition as the most consistent Progressive Power Metal band around. Of course, Pagan's Mind and Lanfear might have something to say about that. But with "Rebirth", "Temple of Shadows", and their latest effort "Aurora Consurgens" Angra are holding firm in their resolve as one of the elite bands in the genre. For newcomers, the enhanced version of "Temple of Shadows" with the bonus DVD in 5.1 surround sound is the place to start; but "Rebirth" and "Aurora Consurgens" are both great additions to any Power Metal library."
