• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

November 2024

• Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
• Lionville: Supernatural
• Starchaser: Into The Great Unkown
• Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time
• Lonerider: Down In The Dust
• Seventh Crystal: Entity
• Neal Morse & The Resonance: No Hill For A Climber
• Beardfish: Songs For Beating Hearts
• Impellitteri: War Machine
• Brothers Of Metal: Fimbulvinter

October 2024

• Casandra's Crossing: Garden Of Earthly Delights
• DGM: Endless
• Daytona: Garder la Flamme
• Fate: Reconnect 'N Ignite
• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive: Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

[ More Music Reviews ]

Angra: Aqua

Melodic Power/Progressive Metal

4.75/5.0

SPV/Steamhammer
www.myspace.com/angraofficial
www.angra.net
Review: Craig Hartranft,  08.16.2010

For fans of all things melodic heavy/power metal, four years is too long too wait for an new album from Brazilian greats Angra. Easily spoken in the same breath as Helloween, Gamma Ray, Stratovarious, (early) Edguy and many others, Angra retains their strength and carries the flag of this oft chastised and too often (poorly) mimicked genre. Their seventh album, Aqua is pure Angra and pure melodic power metal, with some stylish prog nuances. Inspired from Shakespeare's The Tempest, Aqua reflects the sea tale.

Passing over the intro, Aqua delivers a sonic assault with the pure melodic power metal of Arising Thunder. As typical as this piece my seem, it merely proves that the genre is vibrant and Angra masters it. Later, Rage of the Waters reinforces this perspective, but this piece brings in Angra's affection for a more progressive sound. And this is where Angra shines the brightest. Hollow, Spirit of the Air, and the absolutely brilliant Lease of Life are dynamic compositions of musical power and intrigue. Strong song composition is empowered by some of the strongest musicianship from Angra on any album. With just a mention of these few brief examples, Aqua is singular piece of pure Angra brilliance.

I'm not sure if still want to wait another four years for another Angra LP, but with breadth and depth of Aqua I just might. Until then I'm just going to dig this album. Fans of Angra, and great melodic heavy metal, do not pass Aqua by. Strongly recommended!

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Fans of Angra, and great melodic heavy metal, do not pass Aqua by. Strongly recommended!

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]