CD/DVD review ANGRA "Angels cry - 20th anniversary show"

(8/10) Already 22 years that Angra from Brazil is in business. Oh man - time is flying. The band released a lot of good albums in all those years, but never had the big break-through. No idea why.

The DVD / Blu-Ray was recorded on August 25 in Sao Paolo. The show focussed on the debut of the band called "Angels cry" 20 years ago. Since the show was the celebration of this anniversary guests have been invited. The best known ones are Tarja (ex-Nightwish) and the legendary Uli Jon Roth (ex-Scorpions). Tarja had two appearences. The first one was during the rocking  "Stand away" and she performed an awesome duett with Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire) who is actually also trying to do some more operatic vocals during this track. An interesting approach, but he should stick to his normal way of singing. The second song with Tarja was together with Uli Jon Roth. The song is the Kate Bush cover "Wuthering heights" and who else could it interpret better than the singer from Finland. Next to those guest appereances also the Familia Lima was joining the party. Familia Lima is a Brazilian string band and as the name suggests, all memers are from one family. A nice extra to some of the Angra songs. 

As mentioned already earlier, the two hours long concert was focussing on the great debut of Angra from 1993 and therefore it is not a big surprise, that a lot of songs from this album found their way on the set-list. Melodic metal anthems like "Evil warning", "Carry on", Stand away" and the title track are just great songs. I also have to say that Fabios voice fits perfect to the sound of Angra and its a bit of a pity that this is just an interim solution. Hopefully a new singer can do the same good job at the mic.

The sound on this DVD is very good and the concert is also filmed in a professional way. One camera was even installed on the guitar neck and delivers some nice psequnces.

The only little downer is, that the stage sometimes is a bit too dark. Some more light would have made been better for the DVD, but maybe not for the show ;o)

Since it was a special show the extras could have been a bit more. The only bonus feature is an eight minutes "Making of..". This gives some nice backstage insights and some soundcheck frequences, but nothing more. In my point of view a  missed opportunity.

But however - "Angels cry - 20th anniversary show" is a nice journey through time with Brazils best melodic metal band. A nice and special event, which brings you through the dark winter days.

(8/10)

Setlist:

1. Angels cry
2. Nothing to say
3. Waiting silnece
4. Lisbon
5. Time
6. Millenium sun (feat. Moises Lima)
7. Winds of destination
8. Gentle change (feat. Allen Lima)
9. Late redemption
10. The voice commanding you
11. Reaching horizons
12. A monster in her eyes
13. No pain for the dead (feat. Familia Lima)
14. Stand away (feat. Tarja and Familia Lima)
15. Wuthering heights (Feat. Tarja and Uli Jon Roth)
16. Evil warning (feat. Amilcar Christfaor)
17. Unfinished allegro / Carry on
18. Rebirth
19. In excelsis / Nova era
20. Gate XIII

Bonus material:

1. Making of...

Label: Edel Records

Genre: Melodic Metal