Angra hail from Brazil but sound surprisingly European. This is Power Metal that could just as well hail from nearer the Arctic Circle than the Tropics but this is partly explained by the fact that ‘Aurura Consurgens’ was recorded in Germany and mastered by a Finn. Thus ‘Aurura Consurgens’ has a surprisingly contemporary, urban feel to it. 

All in all it’s pretty good stuff and reader’s of Classic Rock should refer to their free CD (the one with Whitesnake’s ‘Ready to Rock’ on it) to hear the band’s ‘Breaking Ties’ off this album. If you like that then the rest is a pretty fair reflection of what’s on offer. Though to be fair it doesn’t entirely showcase the stunning guitar work from Loureiro and Bittencourt. (If you like Dragonforce and widdly, widdly guitaring in general then check this baby out – it’s not as bonkers, but fast all the same.) 

My only quibble is the pretentious source of inspiration for this album (the title kind of gives it away). This is De Vinci Code nonsense as it is inspired by St Thomas Aquinas. A philosopher, so it says in the press blurb, that sees ‘the problem of opposites in Alchemy’. Urghhhh! 

Each song deals with a different emotional response. Apparently. I quite liked the album without knowing all that bollocks thank you. Perhaps St Thomas should have taken a leaf out of Paula Abdul’s book as clearly she was way ahead of her time with her profound statement that ‘Opposites Attract’. And yes, hallelujah to that!  

That aside I rather liked this album. It takes several plays to get into but stick with it and you will be rewarded. The dreamy ‘Breaking Ties’ and the superb ‘Passing By’ have genuine commercial appeal and on the evidence of Aurura Consurgens I’d like to catch the band in some smallish venue whereby I could cop a load of that magnificent guitar playing up close and personal.

Let us know your views on 'Aurora Consurgens'

Track List

Course Of Nature
Voice Commanding You
Ego Painted Grey
Breaking Ties
Salvation Suicide
Window To Nowhere
So Near So Far
Passing By
Scream Your Heart Out
Abandoned Fate

Line Up

Edu Falaschi - Vocals
Kiko Loureiro - Guitars
Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars
Felipe Andreoli - Bass
Aqualis Priester - Drums