By Mário Augusto O. Del Nunzio
Founded in 1991, the band ANGRA (which means "Fire Goddess") was originally formed by André Matos (vocal and ex-VIPER), Rafael Bittencourt (guitar), Luís Mariutti (bass) and Marco Antunes (drums). Before Kiko Loureiro joined the band (and form one of the best Power Melodic Metal guitar duos with Bittencourt), two other guitar players were in the band: André Luís Linhares Bastos and André Hernandes.

In 1992, already with Kiko Loureiro, ANGRA release its first recording and only demo tape, "Reaching Horizons", which received very good reviews all over the world. In the year 1993, they release their first full-length album, "Angels Cry". The recording took place in Germany and the drums were recorded almost entirely by Alex Holzwarth (today in RHAPSODY). Only in the KATE BUSH cover song "Wuthering Heights" the drums were recorded by Thomas Nack (GAMMA RAY). Soon after the recordings, Ricardo Confessori joined the band, closing the line-up that would record more albums 'till date. "Angels Cry" has a few pretty special guests, as Sascha Paeth, Kai Hansen and Dirk Schlachter. This album opened many doors for the band, including the participation in first edition of the Brazilian version of the world wide known Monsters Of Rock Festival, that had BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and KISS.

The second album was released in 1996. "Holy Land" is a conceptual album that brings an original sounding, mixing the Power Melodic Metal with Brazilian typical rhythms. The album was released simultaneously in Europe, Japan and South America. "Holy Land" followed the success of his predecessor and received golden disc in Japan. Until today, this album is a reference in ANGRA's career. The band toured in Europe with VIRGIN STEELE and SUPERIOR, played "sold out" concerts and was the opening act of the ballbreaker's AC/DC concert in São Paulo, Brazil. In the same year, they released and EP, called "Freedom Call", including one new song (the title song) and a few interesting material for the fans: new versions of "Queen Of The Night" and "Reaching Horizons" (of the band's demo tape) and a cover version for JUDAS PRIEST's classic "Painkiller". The video of "Make Believe" reached second place in MTV. The Holy Tour ended with shows in Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka (Japan), 20 more concerts in Europe (13 of these gigs were in France) and playing in a festival in Italy with GRAVE DIGGER, MANOWAR, RAGE, TIME MACHINE, ELDRITCH and MOONSPELL.

In the year 1997, a live EP was released. "Holy Live" registered a concert in France and brings a few classics of the band in live versions: "Nothing To Say", "Z.I.T.O.", "Carolina IV" and "Carry On". In 1998, "Fireworks" was released. The album was more traditional heavy style, without the rhythmic incursions that the band did in "Holy Land". After the Fireworks tour, internal problems culminated with André Matos, Luís Mariutti and Ricardo Confessori leaving the band.

Three years passed and in 2001 ANGRA announced the new line-up. Eduardo Falaschi (vocal/ex-SYMBOLS), Felipe Andreoli (bass/ex-KARMA) and Aquiles Priester (drums/HANGAR) joined the former members Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro, adding new blood and energy to the band. This is the line-up that recorded the world wide acclaimed "Rebirth" album. The band toured around the globe and in less than two months "Rebirth" reached golden disc in Brazil. In 2002, the "Hunters And Prey" EP was released. They re-start the Rebirth World Tour playing in Europe, Asia, EUA and South America. In early 2003, the band released the double live album "Rebirth World Tour Live In São Paulo", registering their first concert with the new line-up in Brazil. The double CD has a limited digipack edition and was released also in DVD format, with extras like picture gallery and video shooting made by the band members themselves.

Current Line-Up:
Edu Falaschi - Vocals (also in MITRIUM AD SYMBOLS, ex-VENUS)
Kiko Loureiro - Guitars
Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars
Felipe Andreoli - Bass Guitar (ex-KARMA)
Aquiles Priester - Drums (also in HANGAR)

Previous members:
André Matos - Vocals (on "Reaching Horizons", "Angels Cry", "Evil Warning", "Holy Land", "Freedom Call", "Holy Live", "Lisbon" & "Fireworks")
Luis Mariutti - Bass (on "Reaching Horizons", "Angels Cry", "Evil Warning", "Holy Land", "Freedom Call", "Holy Live", "Lisbon" & "Fireworks")
Ricardo Confessori - Drums (on "Evil Warning", "Holy Land", "Freedom Call", "Holy Live", "Lisbon" & "Fireworks")
Marco Antunes - Drums (on "Reaching Horizons")

Discography:

Edu Falaschi - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Felipe Andreoli - Bass Aquiles Priester - Drums "The Metal Observer" Review	2004 "Temple Of Shadows" - Paradoxx/Steamhammer Total playing time: 66:29 Deux Ex Volt! Spread Your Fire Angels And Demons Waiting In Silence Wishing Well The Temple Of Hate The Shadow Hunter No Pain For The Dead Winds Of Destination Sprout Of Time Morning Star Late Redemption Gate XIII

Edu Falaschi - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Felipe Andreoli - Bass Aquiles Priester - Drums	2002 "Rebirth World Tour Live In Sao Paulo (DCD/DVD)" - Paradoxx Total playing time: n/a CD 1: In Excelsis Nova Era Acid Rain Angels Cry Heroes Of Sand Metal Icarus Millenium Sun Make Believe Drum Solo CD 2: Unholy Wars Rebirth Time Running Alone Crossing Nothing To Say Unfinished Allegro Carry On The Number Of The Beast
Edu Falaschi - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Felipe Andreoli - Bass Aquiles Priester - Drums "The Metal Observer" Review	2002 "Hunters And Prey (EP)" - Paradoxx/Steamhammer Total playing time: 38:17 Live And Learn Bleeding Heart Hunters And Prey Eyes Of Christ Rebirth (Acoustic) Heroes Of Sand (Acoustic) Mama Caça E Caçador
Edu Falaschi - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Felipe Andreoli - Bass Aquiles Priester - Drums "The Metal Observer" Review	2001 "Rebirth" - Paradoxx/Steamhammer Total playing time: 52:47 (without Bonus) In Excelsis Nova Era Millennium Sun Acid Rain Heroes Of Sand Unholy Wars *Part I - Imperial Crown *Part II - The Forgiven Return Rebirth Judgment Day Running Alone Visions Prelude (Adapted From Chopin, Opus 24 In C Minor) Bleeding Heart (Bonus Track)
Edu Falaschi - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Felipe Andreoli - Bass Aquiles Priester - Drums	2001 "Acid Rain (Single Demo-CD)" - Paradoxx Total playing time: n/a Acid Rain (Demo Version)
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums	1998 "Fireworks (CD/Digi)" - Paradoxx Total playing time: 57:40 Wings Of Reality Petrified Eyes Lisbon Metal Icarus Paradise Mystery Machine Fireworks Extreme Dream Gentle Change Speed Rainy Nights (Bonus Track)
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums	1998 "Lisbon (Single-CD)" - Independent Total playing time: 16:34 Lisbon Make Believe Angels Cry
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums	1997 "Holy Live (MCD)" - Eldorado Total playing time: n/a Crossing/Nothing To Say Z.I.T.O. Carolina IV Unfinished Allegro/Carry On
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums	1996 "Freedom Call (EP/Digi)" - Total playing time: 29:43 Freedom Call Queen Of The Night Reaching Horizons Stand Away Painkiller Deep Blue Angels Cry (Acoustic) (Bonus Track) Never Understand (Acoustic) (Bonus Track)
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums "The Metal Observer" Review	1996 "Holy Land" - Eldorado/Rising Sun Total playing time: 56:51 Crossing Nothing To Say Silence And Distance Carolina IV Holy Land The Shaman Make Believe Z.I.T.O. Deep Blue Lullaby For Lucifer Queen Of The Night (Bonus Track)
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums "The Metal Observer" Review	1994/2000 "Evil Warning (EP)" - Eldorado/Lucretia Total playing time: 24:31 Evil Warning ('94 Version) Angels Cry ('94 Version) Carry On ('94 Version) Wuthering Heights (Edit Version)
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums	1993 "Angels Cry" - Eldorado Total playing time: 55:51 Unfinished Allegro Carry On Time Angels Cry Stand Away Never Understand Wuthering Heights Streets Of Tomorrow Evil Warning Lasting Child
André Matos - Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Guitars Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars Luis Mariutti - Bass Ricardo Confessori - Drums	1992 "Reaching Horizons (Demo-Tape)" - Independent Total playing time: n/a Evil Warning Time Reaching Horizons Carry On Queen Of The Night Angels Cry Don't Despair (Bonus Track) Wuthering Heights (Bonus Track)