Brazilian progressive Power Metal legends ANGRA, are thrilled to announce that they have officially signed a deal with Atomic Fire Records! The group’s metal leadership began over 30 years ago in 1991. Hailing since then as one of the finest metal acts originating from South America, the last decade saw the addition of vocalist Fabio Lione (ATHENA XIX, ex-RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ex-VISION DIVINE etc.) to their ranks. With Rafael Bittencourt and Marcelo Barbosa on guitars, Felipe Andreoli on bass and Bruno Valverde on drums, ANGRA have been keeping the momentum and now, joining Atomic Fire Records, they are ready to release their long-awaited 10th studio album titled “Cycles Of Pain” on November 3rd, 2023. Its launch will be supported by a special release show which will take place at São Paulo, Brazil’s Tokio Marine Hall on the same day.
The band comments on the album: ” ‘Cycles Of Pain’ brings different perspectives on human pain and the cycles that involve it. While pain is inevitable, it is also an part of growing and learning. By recognizing and facing these cycles, we can discover our inner strength and find a path to healing and transformation. It is an invitation to reflect on the complexities of human pain, addressing topics such as loss, disillusionment, loneliness and despair, but also bringing a message of resilience and hope.
The combination of elements on the cover – an angel of death with bright, worn wings adorned with religious and pagan symbols, a dark forest with fire and rain, the prevalence of Brazilian elements – conveys a representation of the idea that pain is a recurring and transformative experience, encompassing spiritual and earthly aspects and encouraging us to delve into the depths of our own pain, explore its many dimensions and find strength and healing in the journey of these cycles.”
Founding member/guitarist Bittencourt says about the signing: “I’m very proud to announce that our newest album will come out on the 3rd of November and it’s going to be released and distributed by Atomic Fire Records. We’re very proud to be part of the Atomic Fire Records family now. It’s a special moment for us in the band.
For me, who started the band over 30 years ago, but also for everyone in the band, we’re now in the third generation which means in the era of our third singer as we have Fabio Lione on vocals. So this will be the third record of the third generation. It’s our 10th studio album, so it’s like keeping the legacy but also focusing on the future.
It’s very funny to have this partnership with Atomic Fire Records because the word ‘Angra’ also stands for a place in Brazil where an atomic reactor was built in the 70s. This nuclear power plant is basically created to originate a kind of clean energy, but it’s a very powerful one which could save the world in a way, but also destroy it. It’ll be a very huge explosion and metaphorically we can say that it’s going to be a very strong album and I hope to burn the world with music which can heal the soul of sad and lonely people.”
Atomic Fire Records A&R Markus Wosgien says: “I remember receiving the ANGRA demo ‘Reaching Horizon’ in 1992 for the fanzine I published in the 90s. I fell in love immediately, this was simply a new form of power metal – and after his departure in VIPER, André Matos finally had a new home back then. One year later, ‘Angels Cry’, which I still consider being one of the best power metal albums of all time, was released, and over the years, ANGRA always developed, but still remained true to themselves. We are more than happy to be a part of their future now and to release their upcoming 10th studio album that blew us away once more. For us, ANGRA is also a matter to our hearts since they’re a band we’ve always been following, respecting and loving; our whole team is more than proud that the band and their management decided to join our roster and to trust in us.”
Stay tuned for more ANGRA news coming your way very soon!
