Secret Garden

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Secret Garden shows the maturity of a band that, after 23 years on the road, continues with the same motivation and passion for music that drove the glorious beginning of the group. Angra is without a doubt one of the biggest Brazilian Heavy Metal bands. Formed in São Paulo in 1991 with the purpose of merging the aggression of Heavy Metal, the ethnic Brazilian rhythms and the sophistication of soft music, the band elevated its name to the high pillars of world music. Their debut album Angels Cry (1993) the band to success, achieving gold status in their home country as well as in Japan. During their 23 year long career, the band opened for AC/DC and shared the stage with bands like KISS, Black Sabbath and Slayer in addition to their always nearly sold out headlining shows all over the world. Their music links together elements that made the band known around the world, highlighting the unique combination of seemingly distinct styles, combining in a unique way styles such as rock in its various forms classical music and Brazilian music. Pre produced by legendary producer Roy Z (Judas Priest, Bruce Dickinson, Halford) and recorded and produced in Sweden by the talented Jens Bogren (Kreator, Arch Enemy, Opeth, Dragonforce), Secret Garden brings together everything that has established Angra as one of biggest bands in its style: contemporary sound combined with inspired compositions. Secret Garden is yet another masterpiece by the group and promises to become a great classic in the metal world. Like almost all of Angra s work, Secret Garden is a concept album which brings up the question: can something that does not exist to the eyes, or is not perceived by the senses, be considered as non existent? The songs tell the fictional story of scientist Morten Vrolik who fights to restore his happiness after a tragic accident that took the life of his wife. The sudden change in routine, adaptability, synchronicity, loneliness, guilt, hope and the strength to rise anew are some of the topics discussed in the lyrics, always under different perspectives, be they religious, scientific, philosophical or merely aesthetic. One of the great strengths of the album is the variety of guests: Simone Simons from the Dutch band Epica divinely interprets the song Secret Garden while the great metal diva Doro Pesch sings an exciting vocal duet with Rafael Bittencourt on Crushing Room . Actually, the various appearances of Rafael s lead vocals make for some of the strongest moments on this album, causing a contrast in tone and interpretation in comparison to Fabio. This also becomes evident in the cover that the band chose to record, Synchronicity II by The .