Holy Land/Angels Cry [IMPORT]

Angra

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 25, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Steamhammer Europe
• ASIN: B00000G6U1
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #229,871 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Unfinished Allegro

2. Carry On

3. Time

4. Angels Cry

5. Stand Away

6. Never Understand

7. Wuthering Heights

8. Streets of Tomorrow

9. Evil Warning

10. Lasting Child/The Parting Words/Renaissance

Disc: 2

1. Crossing

2. Nothing to Say

3. Silence and Distance

4. Carolina IV

5. Holy Land

6. Shaman

7. Make Believe

8. Z.I.T.O.

9. Deep Blue

10. Lullaby for Lucifer

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Budget-priced double disc set featuring the Brazilian metal group's first two albums, 1993's 'Angels Cry' and 1996's 'Holy Land'. 'Angels Cry' includes a cover of Kate Bush's hit 'Wuthering Heights'; 'Holy Land' was recorded at the studio of Kai Hansen, guitarist for Helloween & Gamma Ray. A combined total of 20 tracks. Also features the original cover art of each. Double slimline jewel case. 1998 Steamhammer release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Folk, Power and Speed - Amazing Album, February 7, 2005

By	Dan Solera (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This monumental release from the Brazilian power-metal act is a profound improvement over their debut, Angel's Cry. Absolutely blazing and intense, the album is true symphonic power metal with Brazilian folk instrumentation.

The album begins with the most unexpected introduction to a power-metal album - a soft, ambient passage with a female opera singer vocalizing in the background followed by a storm - and then the anthemic "Nothing to Say" begins. With amazing riffs, a memorable chorus and impressive classical interludes (very similar to the pauses in Rhapsody's "Emerald Sword", which would come later), this song is the perfect opener for a stellar album. "Silence and Distance" begins with singer Andre Matos' soft, almost infantile croon, only to kick into overdrive with his brutal wail. Each song on this album is indispensable, from the Brazilian influences in "Holy Land" to the rapid-fire rhythms of "Z.I.T.O" to the sweet delicacy of "Deep Blue", a delightful ballad.

The symphonic elements are never over-the-top, nor are they too subtle - they work very well to compliment each song. The two best tracks stand out quite nicely. The 10-minute "Carolina IV" is the album's culmination, with everything from a choir to unforgettable symphonic pauses and accompanying orchestrations. The idyllic "Make Believe" is beautiful in every respect - the lyrics are undeniably emotional and the music is almost playful. The album is a monument to power and with its listener-friendly ballads and symphonic interludes, Holy Land proves to be an album worthy of greatness.

See also: Aina - Days of Rising Doom, Rhapsody - Symphony of Enchanted Lands

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly complete, April 9, 2007

By	Justin Gaines "Corporate Rocker" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I think it's great that you can pick up Angra's first two studio albums in one relatively inexpensive package, but before you buy it you should be aware that while it's true that you get both albums in full, you won't get the three bonus tracks that were included on the US version of Angel's Cry. Those tracks consisted of an alternate version of "Evil Warning" and remixes of "Angels Cry" and "Carry On". That's probably not a big deal to most people, but some metal fans tend to be a bit obsessive about owning all of a band's material. If you're one of those types (and I definitely fall in that category), you may want to buy Holy Land and Angels Cry separately. The truly daring may even try tracking down the elusive Holy Box.

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant way of introducing yourself to this band, November 6, 2006

By	Paul Lawrence "'EJL'" (Australia) - See all my reviews

OK, I've reviewed both these albums individually and am not going to write the same two reviews here. Instead I'm just going to say that on their own I gave each of these albums four stars and so to be able to get them both as a mid priced package is just awesome.

Sometimes these sort of compilations are money grabs by record companies but in this case it's just a brilliant opportunity. The genre Angra plays is melodic power metal, particularly on disc 1 which is the album Angels Cry. They had some progressive twinges and those really exploded into fruition on the second disc of this set, the ablum Holy Land.

This is the perfect opportunity to explore this bands early years, get two of their three full length studio albums and is should also be noted that two of their EP's - those being Freedom Call and Unholy Live were also released as a 'double team' in some territories just like this package so the lucky punter could perhaps get pretty much the whole early Angra story (excepting Fireworks) with just two purchases. Great stuff and well worth your money - and I'd direct you to peruse the reviews written about these two albums on their individual listings for more specific info. Hopefully it will help you make up your mind whether to explore a new band.

And for fans who arrived later on in the Angra story this is a great way to fill the gap in your collection.