Customer Reviews

Aurora Consurgens

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After waiting so long for Angra to release Temple of Shadows, I hardly expected the band to come back with another studio album less than 2 years later. However quickly they released it, Angra's 2006 album Aurora Consurgens certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of quality. It's not as epic and ambitious as Temple of Shadows, but it is so much easier to enjoy right from the start. Like Rebirth (the debut of the current Angra lineup), Aurora Consurgens grabs you right from the very first track and never lets go.

Aurora Consurgens has just about everything I've always expected from an Angra album. The songs are fast-paced, very melodic, intelligently written, and expertly performed. I consider Angra a power metal band, but the musicians in this band display the kind of precision and technical prowess you'd expect to find in a progressive metal band, though thankfully they never succumb to the kind of lengthy, self-indulgent instrumental wankery that often plagues prog albums. And of course there are the vocals. I'm of the opinion that Edu Falaschi is the best thing to happen to Angra, and have never been disappointed by his soaring, melodic vocal performances. The only thing this album is missing is the use of Brazilian musical elements that made previous Angra efforts so interesting.

As I noted earlier, Aurora Consurgens is not the same kind of album as Temple of Shadows. It's a simpler, more straightforward power metal album that really doesn't have the same epic scope that Temple of Shadows has. I don't think either album is better per se; they each take totally different approaches, much like Angels Cry and Holy Land did.

Unless you're expecting something epic, I can't see how any Angra fan could be disappointed by Aurora Consurgens. It's another fantastic album from a band that rarely, if ever, lets us down. If you're unfamiliar with the band and want to check them out, Aurora Consurgens is a fine album to start with, though Rebirth may be your best bet.

With Rebirth, Angra firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their next album, Temple of Shadows, was a true and utter masterpiece. With Aurora Consurgens, the members of Angra once again prove that their physical abilities are unparalleled - silvery solos and mind-bending beats convey that each player is a bona-fide master of his instrument.

HOWEVER.

The songwriting on this record is nowhere near the level of quality that was achieved throughout the entirety of Temple of Shadows. These new tracks feel like they were just slapped together, to the effect that there is not a single song on this record that is greater than the sum of its parts. Granted, there are some AMAZING parts, but they rarely flow together as well as they should. Perhaps the band's deliberate decision to divvy-up writing responsibilities is to blame for the uneven soundscape (Rafael was the primary creative force behind T.o.S). Basically, each track on T.o.S left me thinking "Wow," while each track on A.C. leaves me thinking "So what?"

Moreover, the passion, beauty, and genuine emotion that characterized T.o.S. is missing here. The melodies, while complex and masterfully executed, are often flat and uninspired. I actually FELT the songs before. Now, they hardly have a lasting impact - more surface, less substance. It's probable that constructing an album with one solid, all-encompassing concept in mind helped Angra fashion the musical monolith that was Temple of Shadows. Kamelot accomplished a similar feat when they put out their masterpiece, The Black Halo.

On the plus side, Aurora Consurgens is a very well-produced album. And as I said before, each member is firing on all cylinders. If you've never heard Angra before, there's a good chance that you will be blown away by this disc. But side-by-side, this album consistently pales in comparison to Temple of Shadows. Hopefully, Angra has merely stumbled and not fallen with Aurora Consurgens. Lord knows they have the talent and capacity for another perfect prog/power metal masterpiece.

This release is a worthwhile addition to your prog-metal collection. What I like about this band is the operatic (at times) vocals, orchestrations, and the balance between aggressive metal and purely straight-ahead rock. The guitar solos are superb, but not over-the-top. There is a certain distinct melodic sound in the guitar solos That sets this band apart from the ordinary metal band, yet the aggressiveness and crunch is still displayed.

I agree with other reviewers that this is not quite as good as "Temple of Shadows," but nonetheless an excellent album. ToS had more orchestration and little better level of songwriting. This album, however, has a higher level of energy and charisma, and is more aggressive.

The title "Aurora Consurgens" comes from an illuminated manuscript of the 15th century which contains an alchemical treatise. This was a spiritual and philosophical document which had been attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas, and contained 38 miniature watercolor paintings. The front cover of Angra's new album is one of those pictures. From a lyrical standpoint, the album coneys a painful outlook on life without a feeling of hope. Although this is not a concept album, the use of the term "Aurora Consurgens" may possibly propose a negative spiritual/philosophical outlook.

Bottom line, I recommend this release as a worthy addition to your music collection.

But not great. As a huge Angra fan I think I was expecting a mind blowing epic of an album....however, even though this album has all the elements Angra has to offer....it just doesn't have the big bang. Either way, it was a good album and one worth buying for any Power Metal fan.

Better believe it. Now I was introduced to Angra by a friend before the band split, just before Rebirth. Ususally bands splitting is never a good thing, but in this case a few members stuck with Angra, and a few others started Shaman, which BOTH turned out to be excellent!!! No kidding, now with 2 power metal bands out of Brazil, there is twice as much music to listen to and both are unique and equally interesting. My friend that introduced me did not like the new direction of Angra with Rebirth, but i disagree. I like the old, and without a doubt the new. It is just a little different, as the band has matured. Not as drastic of a change as say Metallica or Queensryche from old to new, but some slight differences, while still keeping the root of their music at the musicianship of the members. Excellent guitar solos throughout, drumbeats, and unmatchable vocals makeup one of the supergroups of our day. If you like progressive/power metal, don't let this gem slip by. I know there are so many that pop up in the genre now, but these guys were there from the beginning, and are a standout act if you just give it a chance. That being said, this is a little heavier album, and might take a little more time to get used to, but who wants to be bored with the album after listening once??? The way i see it, more rewards for replay value if it doesn't quite catch on the first time through. If you are looking for an easier catch, try "Angels Cry" or even "Rebirth", which might be my favorite, but this is more in depth and a down right respectable masterpiece as well. Glad they keep the genre alive!

The Rebirth album breathed new life into Angra after the personnel shuffles following the Fireworks album but Temple of Shadows was a bit of a blow - not in terms of musical skill, but it's just that the band embraced such a silly half-baked ide to base a poor concept album around. So they really needed to acquire some forward momentum with this disc - the third full length album of the 'new' Angra.

And by and large the band pull their chestnuts out of the fire. Everything about this release shows some conviction of purpose - the band here sending forth a reasonably well rounded collection of songs that are very much in the established Angra vein. No big surprises here at all but to me that's just fine.

Where this album wins out over it's predecessor is in consistency. The album has less highs and lows. We get everything we expect such as a bunch of songs that address melodic hard rock, a couple that segue into melodic metal and a few mellower numbers. But as mentioned, this album as a whole wins through consistency. Alas, having been around since the early 90's Angra no longer have the sheen of a new band to generate excitement so this album is probably only going to be heard by established fans. Which is a pity, but thos fand who have kept the faith will be well pleased in this collection of songs.

Personal faves here would include The Voice Commanding You; So Near, So Far and Breaking Ties. And it's good to see the varied writing credits here which show what a band effort this album is. It's also lovely to see these guys still coming up with different influences in their music - take So Near So Far with it's use of sound signatures not usually heard in the rock genre. It's not a case of a back to Holy Land where all sorts of instruments were thrown at the listener, but the use of varied 'world' influences definitely give Angra an edge, making them more individual and in some indefinable way a more likeable bunch.

Minor gripes would be a slight issue with the whole 'English as second language' thing - though a lyrics advisor was employed and presumably his job was to try to iron out some of the clunkiness from the lyrics. And the lyrical concerns come across as a touch more dour than we're used to from this usually upbeat mob.

But don't worry'bout the above negatives - fans will love this and it would be a darn good place to start for the newcomer to start their education into the Angra catalogue. A hearty 4 stars.

Temple of Shadows was a more complex, deeper and often darker work than Rebirth; Aurora Consurgens continues in the same direction, preserving all the best of Angra but bringing a new maturity and spirit to the sound. There is a lot more heavy thrash-like riffing, but with the Angra talent and musicianship. The songs are complex works, with no fillers and a good mix of faster, slower, heavier, lighter, Brazilian-inspired, etc. The double guitars are still as melodic as ever but tougher sounding and with newer, more sophisticated harmonies/chord progressions than previous albums. Aquiles pulls out his incredible beat-making ability as usual, and Edu sings with a fuller, deeper and more angry voice. Unfortunately, Felipe doesn't get to highlight much of his incredible bass playing, but he is definitely a presence as well. I would call this a mixture between the new Angra and Shaaman. Those who like both bands will find an incredible middle ground in the new Aurora Consurgens. If you like either band, or just prog/power in general, buy this album. It doesn't disappoint.

I was looking forward to hearing this CD,and was a little disapointed.But on second listen I liked it better.I'm glad they don't keep repeating pass sounds,and that is one of the things I love about this band.It is the diversity in every CD I own by Angra.So in reallity,this derserves a 3 and half star rating,but I couldn't bring my self to give it 4 stars.For as long as we waited between CD's,I expected better.It's a good CD,and would recomend period.

In my opinion this is one of the best Angra CD's, maybe only preceded by Angels Cry and Temple of Shadows. Good stuff, nothing to say, a very energic CD especially in the opening song but very melodic in the middle tracks.

A great-buy for all good-power fans and a must-buy for all Angra fans..

I am a big fan of Andre Matos and Shaaman, and really enjoyed the first three Angra releases. But I also enjoyed the "Rebirth" album because it was very melodic, progressive, and catchy. I also liked the singing. Now, I like Temple of Shadows too, but to me, the songwriting was a few notches below other Angra releases, and the singing was a bit "overdone." Aurora Consurgens is very different from Rebirth in how it is much heavier, more aggressive, and more progressive. It is also less subtle than Temple of Shadows. It is a very consistant album with great songwriting from beginning to end. Though the songs do differ between themselves (some slow songs, some fast ones), there isn't a whole lot of diversity on this album, you basically get a whole lot of Angra.

It will definitely take a few listens before you really enjoy this album. At first I was expecting something accessable and catchy such as "Rebirth," but I am really loving Aurora Consurgens now.