Pretty good power metal.
Brazilian power metallers Angra return with their sixth full-length release, and I have to admit that, although a fan of power metal, Angra have somehow passed me by over their fifteen-year career. But power metal is a bloated genre with few bands bringing anything new to the scene, and although Angra do little to forward power metal, there are enough ideas on 'Aurora Consurgens' to keep your interest.
Although hailing from South America, they don't over do the tribal rhythms, unlike fellow countrymen Sepultura and Soulfly. Opener 'The Course Of Nature' does start with atmospherics tinged with a little South American culture, but the rest of the song is a strong, albeit standard, rocker. It's easy for bands to fall into the power metal trap relying on speed to bail themselves out, which is why is was refreshing for Angra to start with an upbeat but weaving anthem allowing the speed to hit home on the second track, 'The Voice Commanding You.' Although this song is the strongest on this disc it seems to have been written using Helloween's easy guide to song-writing. The guitar interplay between Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro is at it's most impressive on this track, and the choral break at the four-minute mark is impressive, but it still sounds like Helloween. (Frighteningly so)
'Ego Painted Grey' is brushed with class in its music and melody, but is let down with its 'by the numbers' chorus. This is perhaps typical of the album as a whole. Angra have accumulated a hat full of great ideas but it's not quite full to the brim. The band then fill it up to the brim with common throw-away power metal ditties. 'Salvation: Suicide' is a good example. The furious pace is complemented with a great introduction, verse, and stunning solo break, but is let down with a throw-together chorus. A great build up sees 'So Near, So Far' capture the listeners attention, but for all its strength the uninspired verse melody lets the song down considerably.
Its not all good/bad. 'Window to Nowhere' is great from start to finish as is 'Scream Your Heart Out,' however the last track, the acoustic driven 'Abandoned Fate' is snoozingly dull. I may have painted a somewhat false picture of 'Aurora Consurgens' because this album is far from being poor, on the contrary in fact. From a personal point of view, I could hear the potential in the music and became frustrated at it's fall into commonality with the hordes of power metal bands in the scene at the moment. Angra could have written an album that lifted them above the scene but they haven't. What this album is, is a convincing slab of enjoyable metal with some great performances especially from vocalist Edu Falaschi and Drummer Aquiles Priester, but it's not going to take over anyone's life or inspire a musical revolution.
Any fan of Angra should be excited by this release. As a newbie to the band I am compelled to find out more about them on the sheer strength of this release. Although flawed, there are many aspects to 'Aurora Consurgens' worthy of your power metal ears. It certainly puts Edguy's 'Rocket Ride' in its place, which perhaps isn't that difficult thinking about it.