Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Angra - Aurora consurgens (2006)
In late 2006, the most popular thing in the world was the then-recently-released Nintendo Wii. For the Brazilian progressive power metal fanbase, it was Angra's Aurora Consurgens. An album that has made their day on Thanksgiving and Christmas besides turkey and presents!
I was nearly a decade late for the action when I first discovered this album, and the rest of the band's discography. Back then, I was more interested in progressive/power metal than any of the genres I still listen to today. Back then, the previous album Temple of Shadows was the true perfect gem of their discography. Aurora Consurgens came close to sharing its reign, especially when it started with an absolute mind-blower...
"The Course of Nature" is a bad-a** hit, worth listening to on a bus ride or shuttle train throughout the country, though try to control yourself during those rides so people won't stare at you like you're a madman. Those 4 and a half minutes are so awesome, especially the middle bridge. The sick riffing and soloing differs from what the band has done in Rebirth, and I still love it today, long after laying the power metal side of my interest to rest. Another track "The Voice Commanding You" looks back at the band's power metal era of Rebirth. "Ego Painted Grey" masters the band's progressive side that they've been picking up since Temple of Shadows, with excellent dynamic depth. The guitar soloing by Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt is really put forward in unbelievable ways. The catchy "Breaking Ties" has more accessible melody.
"Salvation Suicide" is insane yet lovable for the earlier fans, along with some technicality. The guitar soloing is filled with highly impressive shredding that fans of such an aspect would want more of. Same with the furious "Window to Nowhere". The 7-minute epic "So Near So Far" continues the band's signature aspect of adding Brazilian percussion into the mix, though it's not as much as they used to have in Holy Land. The guitar has more groove, and that's something the band hadn't tried until this album. Still their usual brand of melodic progressive power metal is the key, especially in that song.
This is then followed by the smooth "Passing By". Then "Scream Your Heart Out" is a progressive highlight that will make you do what the song title says. Vocalist Edu Falaschi is known for his incredible vocal range, though the lower part of his singing doesn't appear in "Abandoned Fate", quite lower than before, in fact! It's quite noticeable and fits well with the ballad. The kick-A bonus track "Out of This World" was written for Marcos Pontes, the first Brazilian astronaut, and Bittencourt took over on lead vocals.
There's practically nothing that I would consider a waste of time in this amazing album. I even like the ballads! My rediscovery of Angra has stunned me again with another one of their albums that has pleased me today as it had almost 8 years ago. The progressive power metal memories still shine!
Favorites: "The Course of Nature", "Ego Painted Grey", "Salvation Suicide", "So Near So Far", "Scream Your Heart Out", "Out of This World" (bonus track)