Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Kiko Loureiro tells about "Ashes" (Angra, "Aqua")



The band Angra is about to launch its seventh studio album "Aqua".

Now, Angra's musicians periodically release their impressions about each track from "Aqua".

This time, the guitarist Kiko Loureiro clarifies some aspects of the tenth track from "Aqua", "Ashes".

" I made this song a long time ago during the composition process of "Aurora Consurgens".

It was not ready to enter the album, but for Aqua I had more time to finish it and make changes to present it in a good way.

As main idea, I started imagining Nocturnals and Preludes of Chopin. I initially composed it as an instrumental piece on piano. In part A there is a Dm scale which leads to a deep sense of introspection like in Requiem of Mozart, for example.

The harmonic structure brings to a romanticism atmosphere. Bridge and chorus are lighter as a metal ballad. Bridge and pre-chorus bring the listener to other scales before bring back to the original one, creating a very intersting harmonic motion.

In the middle, before guitar solo, there's a classical mouvement. The idea is to induce the listener to an ethereal and dream feeling while a female voice begins a speech that would be Prospero's consciousness. Since this is the lsat song of the album, lyrics uses the last act of the play where Prospero reflects on what he did and forgive to all the island.

He realizes that his behavior and his way of thinking are not a peaceful way of life and that forgiveness is the only way. Then, he leaves his books of magic and starts a new life. Lyrics ends with the last sentence from "The Tempest". "We are made from the same essence as our dreams". "

Kiko Loureiro.

For more news : Whiplash

Monday, August 30, 2010

Kiko Loureiro : Blog Guitar Player



In his latest post for Guitar Player ( on August 27), Kiko Loureiro tells about his travel in Europe on past May 2010.

Kiko Loureiro : "Back to Europe :

The recording of the seventh Angra's album in São Paulo finished, follow straight to Germany. The journey began with a presentation at the booth of Laney amplifiers at Musikmesse, the largest fair of musical instruments in the world, held in Frankfurt. I had the privilege of sharing the scheduled presentations with Mattias IA Eklundh - who still don't know this Swedish man is losing one of the most innovative rock guitarists of the actuality - and the Frenchman Christophe Godin, who has a peculiar and funny way to play.

From Frankfurt, I went to Nancy, France, for a jam with Reggie Hamilton. Although not widely known, this great American bassist has worked with numerous artists such as Eros Ramazzotti, Boyz II Man, among others. He is one of the most requested studio musicians in the world.

One more time, I put myself in danger and suggested to play together. I didn't think the issues listed would bebops full of notes, and there were only five minutes to go up to the theater stage, where 200 students were waiting for us. I suggested the famous themes Oleo (Sonny Rollins) and Billy's Bounce (Charlie Parker), that my dark jazz side managed to save in these hours. In addition to these compositions, we interpreted the famous song of a single chord, Jean Pierre (Miles Davis) and St. Thomas (Sonny Rollins). We get something sounding more South America.

The next day, after hours and hours of taxi-train-plane-taxi, I was to Slovenia, in a city called Ljubljana [...] In the Balkan country, I was invited to a competition event for guitarists. In programming, a jam alongside Guthrie Govan. If you have never heard of Govan, stop everything and go search. I already knew, but to see him play was challenging, because of the good "depression" that we feel from seeing a phenomenal musician.. In backstage, we talked about music and once again resorted to the standards, which this time were from Brazilian music. Even being a rock musician, Govan knew by heart, some views of Tom Jobim.

Just as English is currently the language used and practiced worldwide, playing with universal compatibility allows you to communicate with musicians from all nationalities. Classics of rock, jazz standards and songs from Bossa Nova are universal. So, every musician must have a minimal repertory and don't miss its incredible opportunities. Thus we create friendships and musical relationships, enjoying the best from our profession. Always express and interact! "


For more news : Kiko Loureiro Official Blog / Guitar Player

Saturday, August 28, 2010

"Aqua" on Myspace



Angra has made available on his Official Myspace all the songs from his new album "Aqua" , before its release in Europe and USA !

- Aqua tracklist :

1. VIDERUNT TE AQUAE
2. ARISING THUNDER
3. AWAKE FROM DARKNESS
4. LEASE OF LIFE
5. THE RAGE OF THE WATERS
6. SPIRIT OF THE AIR
7. HOLLOW
8. A MONSTER IN HER EYES
9. WEAKNESS OF A MAN
10 ASHES

The brand new album of Angra “Aqua” has already saw the light of day in South East Asia (JVC Victor) and Brazil (Angra/Voice Music). According to Angra’s partner in Europe and North America SPV, the following release dates are scheduled for this territory:

* Germany: September 24th, 2010
* Europe : September 27th, 2010
* USA/Canada: October 12th, 2010


For more news : Angra Official Myspace

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : show Salvador Bahia



Angra plays today at Bahia Café Hall in Salvador, Bahia (Brazil), from 7.pm (Brazilian time) for a show celebrating the Brazilian launching of its new album "Aqua".

For more news : Dendê Produções

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Kiko Loureiro : IG & T Fest (Santos / Brazil)



Kiko Loureiro takes part today in one of the most important guitar festivals from Brazil, the IG & T Fest !

The event, presents Jazz, Rock, Blues, Fusion, New Age, Brazilian guitar and many other styles during 26 hours of show !

Last year, the event wich took place in São Paulo, brought together more than 1800 people !

This first edition in Santos will present 18 musicians, 8 technicians and 12 sponsors for an unforgettable show !

The event takes place in the EM&T Music and Technology school Auditorium in Santos (Brazil) from 6.30 pm (Brazilian time) !

For more news : Territoria Da Musica website / Kiko Loureiro Official Twitter

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : Aqua's review on Whiplash



English translation by Irina Ivanova and Andrei Koulikov for www.edufalaschi.com.br

"One of the most important Brazilian rock and metal webzines Whiplash came up with the album review. Here you can check the most significant parts of the journalist's impressions. The original review in Portuguese is available here: http://whiplash.net/materias/cds/113282-angra.html

The CD review was done after a pre-listening party and firstly musicians of Angra clarified the new album's details:

"With this CD we intentionally returned and re-forced the use of ethnic elements, since Ricardo came back and this is a natural thing for his sound, with Angra or without", explained guitarist Rafael Bittencourt. "But this is also an organic thing which always exists inside us and in our sound".

Besides the ethnic sound "Aqua" has the unique conception like it has happened with all the previous CDs since "Rebirth". In case of "Aqua" The Tempest, the very last play of William Shakespeare has been chosen as the album idea. (...)

Speaking about the team work, the vocalist Edu Falaschi expressed the opinion of everyone that after almost ten years since "Rebirth" it has been improving every day more and more. "Every time we understand each other better and better. We already know what to do with the arrangements, which stuff fits the whole thing and which stuff doesn't", confirmed the bassist Felipe Andreoli. (...)

Although a big part of the fans were afraid that the participation of the members in various side projects such as Almah, Bittencourt Project, Freakeys, Karma and others would mean the end of the band, the musicians disagree. According to them, this type of activities just helps them to get the new experience and the new sound for Angra, their main activity. "We are not only Angra's members. We are musicians. Our friends are musicians as well. We are the persons who enjoy playing music. It's not only work for us, but also is a hobby. And for us, to play also means to stay with friends, with people we like. When I don't play in Angra, I do it with Kiko, Rafael, Edu and others", explains Felipe. (...)

Angra admits that still there are questions of the fans and the media about the previous line-up of the band with Andre Matos as a frontman, but they don't consider it as a negative thing. "There will always be the memory about the old line-up, but we are not going to pretend that this part of the history of the band has never existed", - tells Edu, the eternal target of comparisons with Andre Matos. In his opinion such examples when the fans were divided between two frontmen like it happened in case of Ozzy x Dio (Black Sabbath) or David Lee Roth x Sammy Hagar (Van Halen) just prove the fact that every period is no less important than the other. And one vocalist doesn't overshadow the talent of another. "A vocalist characterizes a band quite a lot, there's no other way", - tells Rafael. "This is a part of our history, we can't forget it". Felipe agrees: "You see, we always play old songs and we don't have any intention to take it out from our set-list. It's our history and it's a good history". (:)


CD review :

So, let's talk about what's really important, the music. The band has chosen "Arising Thunder" as the first single and as the first album's track, but as one listens on, with the third song "Awake from Darkness" it already becomes clear, that the first impression was not so true. Don't understand me wrong, "Arising Thunder" is a great song, it rocks, it is really exciting! But it's a quite typical speed / metal melodic piece with double bass and wild heavy guitar riffs. "Awake from Darkness" makes it clear that "Arising Thunder" doesn't come close to representing the rest of "Aqua". The 3rd song begins with the long-awaited comeback of Brazilian ethnic elements, with the percussion's rhythms, thanks to Ricardo, the guru of this subject. Having the bass guitar parts by Felipe which make it heavier and the guitar hooks by Kiko and Rafael, right in the middle the song surprises with the interlude of piano and violin. "The Rage of the Waters" brings the same feeling, mixing elements of northwestern music (from the Nord-West of Brazil, mainly, the states Bahia and Pernambuco, the center of traditional afro-brazilian rhythms) with typical heavy metal base. Then the game changes. After the intro with some technological effects, "Hollow" brings this classical and nervous thrash metal riff. At least, one Angra song on every CD is like that. But being tired with all these moments of violence, it finds an harmonic opportunity to open some space for the crystal clear guitars. The atmospheric "Spirit of the Air" reminds "The Shadow Hunter". It begins with some Spanish chords, then going to metal killer sound and returning back to ballad, it walks chorus-wards, to a pompous epic break and finishes with an Arabian theme. But the stuff which could sound in a very eclectic way is, on the contrary, perfectly integrated.

"Aqua" even has its proper "Make Believe" - the perfect "Weakness of a Man". I mean, it's a song created without fear to flirt with the pop music inspiration and, I dare to say that it even has moments that can be considered as dancing ones. But, whatever traditional headbangers could think, it doesn't make "Weakness of a Man" less heavy metal. Even the nice ballad "Lease of Life" which seems to break the rhythm of "Aqua" a bit continues to be pretty interesting, especially in its guitar parts, almost rock'n'roll ones until the solo, and pretty close to bossa nova after it. But maybe the most courageous song of the album is "A Monster in Her Eyes" which presents one of the most varied performances of Edu. He starts like a bard, nearly reciting in a Medieval style and then, catching the courage he presents very aggressive parts full of fury which reminds his typical manner in Almah.

Another excellent moment, "Ashes" finishes the CD. It begins with dreadful and dark, almost horror-movie-like keyboard parts, which give the first impressions about what will follow. The vocalist uses the opportunities of the lyrics which represent the last act of the play to come up with elevated style performance with sorrowful atmosphere, a kind of opera-rock. Perfect!

"Aqua" is the kind of album which deserves to be listened attentively at least 2-3 times. It's not a type of work to be easily defined, to put a label on or to tell if it's metal because of this or that. At most, it's possible to say that Angra returned to its best conditions, sounding like classical Angra. And so this is much more than a positive fact. "

For more news : Whiplash

Monday, August 23, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra on Play TV



Source : Angra Official Website

"ANGRA will be participating on “Combo: Fala + Joga”, a TV show that will be broadcast by Play TV (SKY channel 86), Net Brasília (channel 13), TV Oi Belo Horizonte (channel 30) and Oi DTH (channel 430) next Monday 23th, at 10:00 PM. The show will also be available for streaming and on demand on the website www.playtv.com.br.

Rerun: August, 24th and 28th at 06:30 AM, midday and 5:00 PM."

For more news : Angra Official Website / Play TV

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : interview Metrópolis



Here is an Angra's interview (in Portuguese) broadcasted on Metrópolis (TV Cultura) on past August 18.

Angra speaks about the last play written by William Shakespeare, "The Tempest", which inspired the concept of his new album "Aqua".

“Aqua” will be released in Germany on September 24th and in the rest of Europe on 27th.



For more news : Metrópolis (TV cultura)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra, Pocket Show Manifesto Bar : set-list and pics



Here are set-list and pics of Angra's acoustic pocket show at Manifesto Bar (São Paulo, Brazil) on past August 19 !

According to Whiplash website, the show was "short, but the presentation was impeccable" !

** Set-list :

- Wishing Well
- Heroes of Sand
- Arising Thunder
- Bleeding Heart
- Nova Era
- Lullaby for Lucifer
- Late Redemption
- Rebirth


** Pics from the great Brazilian photographer Alexandre Cardoso (to watch all the pics in full size, visit the gallery of Alexandre Cardoso on Flickr) :




















** Pics from another great Brazilian photographer, Danilo Palange (from ObaOba website)








More pics on Angra French Blog

For more news : Alexandre Cardoso on Flickr / Danilo Palange on ObaOba / Whiplash

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : pocket show in São Paulo



Angra plays today at Manifesto Bar in São Paulo (Brazil) from 22:30 (Brazilian time), for a pocket show to celebrate the release of the new album "Aqua" !

For more news : Manifesto Bar

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : interview Cultura TV



Here is an Angra's interview (in Portuguese), recorded yesterday for Cultura TV (to watch the entire broadcasting in best quality, go on Cultura TV Website). The band presents his new album "Aqua" among others.



Angra also played "Arising Thunder" in acoustic version ! Enjoy ;)



For more news : Cultura TV Website

Monday, August 16, 2010

Kiko Loureiro : Mega Workshop Metal Night



Kiko Loureiro plays today at Teatro Gacemss in Volta Redonda / RJ (Brazil) from 7 p.m (Brazilian time) for a mega workshop with his band's mate from Angra, Edu Falaschi !

For more news : Gacemss website

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra, pocket show Campinas : set-list, pics and videos



Here are the set-list, pics and some fan videos of the Angra's acoustic pocket show in Campinas, on past August 12, for the pre-release of the new album "Aqua" !

** Set-list :

- Wishing Well
- Heroes of Sand
- Arising Thunder
- Rebirth
- Stand Away

** Pics from the gallery of San on Orkut :
















** Fan videos from ricardoguariento Youtube Channel :

- Arising Thunder (Aqua, 2010) :




- Rebirth (Rebirth, 2001) :



To watch more videos of the Angra's show, go on ricardoguariento Youtube Channel

For more news : Angra French Blog

Friday, August 13, 2010

Kiko Loureiro tells about "Weakness Of A Man"



The band Angra is about to launch its seventh studio album "Aqua".

Now, Angra's musicians periodically release their impressions about each track from "Aqua".

This time, the guitarist Kiko Loureiro tells about the song "Weakness Of A Man" :

"This song came out of a jam between me and Rafael many years ago. We were two guitars playing in different ways and using different techniques, not only as harmonic instrument, but also as a percussion instrument.

After the session of free inspiration, began to gather a good material. We had 30 minutes on a disc full of ideas to work upon one or more songs. Introduction, verse, chorus everything was there in a way so crude that only two of us would know how to develop all. So when we began to gather ideas for the composition process of 'Aqua' album, we decided to use those old tapes that we started around 2004.

Rafael took a long time listening to and organizing the mess. But when they finally redid the arrangement, we kept the same atmosphere of Metal for the song 'Weakness Of A Man', just as we started doing in the tappings.

'The Tempest" shows a man looking his attitude among the rest, and Prospero looking inward and facing his weakness as a man and human being. 'The evil destroyed his trust' describes the moment when his brother betrays him, and then, he becomes selfish, ruthless, always testing the character of those around him. He realizes he was wrong and that love doesn't happen to everyone. The lyrics describes the duality that he is facing, such as anger and compassion, blessing and curse, and love and hate."

Kiko Loureiro.

For more news : Whiplash

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : pocket show in Campinas



Angra plays today at Sebastian Bar in Campinas / SP (Brazil) from 10 p.m (Brazilian time) for an acoustic pocket show to celebrate the release of the new album "Aqua" !

For more news : Sebastian Bar

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Kiko Loureiro : Guitar Hero's world champion



Here is a vidéo report of Kiko Loureiro during Guitar Hero's world champion, with an interview of the guitarist (in Portuguese). To watch the video in best quality, go on RedeTV website !



For more news : Kiko Loureiro Official Twitter / RedeTV

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Kiko Loureiro : Fullblast album release in Europe



Kiko Loureiro announces on his Official Twitter the release of his latest solo album "Fullblast" in Europe with Mascot Records on August 16 !

For more news : Kiko Loureiro Official Twitter / Mascot Records Europe

Friday, August 6, 2010

Kiko Loureiro : workshop with Edu Falaschi in Volta Redonda



MS Metal Press / Angra official note :

The vocalist Edu Falaschi and the guitarist Kiko Loureiro will present a clinic together in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The event is scheduled for August 16th at Teatro Gacemss 1 from 7 p.m (Brazilian time) and the tickets will be available at the venue in the day of the show.

Event :
Mega Workshop Metal Night with Kiko Loureiro and Edu Falaschi
Day : August 16
Schedule : 7 p.m
Venue : Teatro GACEMSS 1

For more news : MS Metal Press / Angra Official Website / Teatro Gacemss

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Kiko Loureiro : workshop and show in Araraquara



Kiko Loureiro plays today at SESC in Araraquara (Brazil) for a workshop, from 4 p.m and a show, from 8 p.m (Brazilian time).

Kiko Loureiro will play with Felipe Andreoli and Marcell Cardoso some songs from his solo albums No Gravity, Universo Inverso and Fullblast!

For more news : Kiko Loureiro Official Twitter / SESC Araraquara

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : "Aqua" will be available in 5 formats



Angra Official note (from Angra Official Website)

Angra is up to release the seventh full length entitled “Aqua” in August and September which will be available in five formats according to the labels JVC/Victor (Japan) and SPV/Steamhammer (Europe).

The editions include a standard CD (Brazil and Europe); a standard CD with a bonus - “Lease Of Life” new mixing (Japan); a digipack limited edition with a bonus CD (Edu Falaschi Era – collection); a double vinyl with three bonus tracks; and a digital one.

Check the complete list editions as follow:

"Aqua" – Digipack Limited Edition

CD 1:

01. Viderunt Te Aquæ
02. Arising Thunder
03. Awake From Darkness
04. Lease Of Life
05. The Rage Of The Waters

06. Spirit Of The Air
07. Hollow
08. Monster In Her Eyes
09. Weakness Of A Man
10. Ashes

CD 2: Bônus CD (Edu Falaschi Era – collection)

01. Nova Era
02. Rebirth
03. Hunters And Prey
04. Spread Your Fire
05. Waiting Silence
06. The Course Of Nature
07. Salvation:Suicide

Standard CD (Brasil and Europe)

01. Viderunt Te Aquæ
02. Arising Thunder
03. Awake From Darkness
04. Lease Of Life
05. The Rage Of The Waters
06. Spirit Of The Air
07. Hollow
08. Monster In Her Eyes
09. Weakness Of A Man
10. Ashes

Standard CD (Japan)

01. Viderunt Te Aquæ
02. Arising Thunder
03. Awake From Darkness
04. Lease Of Life
05. The Rage Of The Waters
06. Spirit Of The Air
07. Hollow
08. Monster In Her Eyes
09. Weakness Of A Man
10. Ashes
11. Lease Of Life (New Mixing)

Vinyl:

Record 1/2 – Side A:

01. Viderunt Te Aquæ
02. Arising Thunder
03. Awake From Darkness
04. Lease Of Life

Side B:

05. The Rage Of The Waters
06. Spirit Of The Air
07. Hollow

Record 2/2 – Side C:

08. Monster In Her Eyes
09. Weakness Of A Man
10. Ashes

Side D:

01. Nova Era (bônus)
02. Spread Your Fire (bônus)
03. The Course Of Nature (bônus)

In the meantime ANGRA continues to book the shows for their next world tour in support to the seventh studio album “Aqua” which will be released on August, 11th and 17th in Japan and Brazil respectively.

The album is planned to be released in Europe on September.

Please contact Base2 Management e-mail (shows@base2producoes.com.br) to book a concert in your city.

For more news : Angra Official Website

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : The Tempest, special animated tales



Angra official note (from Angra Official Website) :

Angra has uploaded the script of the play “The Tempest”, by William Shakespeare. The material is available in English, Portuguese and French versions, in PDF format for free download.

“We want to stimulate our fans to read more and try to understand better the entire concept of “Aqua”. So the play of William Shakespeare is the best way to guarantee good entertainment moments to all of them”, said the vocalist Eduardo Falaschi.

The BBC made an animated movie about “The Tempest” which has been a great success since its premiere in 2008.

Part 1 :




Part 2 :




Part 3 :



For more news : Angra Official Webiste / Shakespeareanimated Youtube

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Kiko Loureiro / Angra : reports from the new album, chapter 13

Here is the final chapter of the Angra's reports from the new album "Aqua" :"Final !!! Mixing and post-production".



For more news : Angra Official Youtube

Monday, August 2, 2010

Kiko Loureiro France Blog : playlist of the month



Here is the new playlist of the month, composed by songs played and / or written by Kiko Loureiro, in solo or with his bands (Angra, Neural Code ...) :
  • Angra, Arising Thunder (Angra, Aqua, 2010)
  • Kiko Loureiro, Corrosive Voices (Kiko Loureiro, Fullblast, 2009)
  • Neural Code, Miro (Neural Code, Neural Code, 2009)
  • Kiko Loureiro, Recuerdos (Kiko Loureiro, Universo Inverso, 2006)
  • Kiko Loureiro, Pau-De-Arara (Kiko Loureiro, No Gravity, 2005)
  • Angra, Waiting Silence (Angra, Temple Of Shadows, 2004)
Enjoy ;)

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Official Kiko Loureiro Youtube Channel : new organization



Kiko Loureiro organized his Official Youtube Channel with different playlists regarding his various bands and projects for more clarity !

He also added some videos in his archives !

For more news : Kiko Loureiro Official Youtube / Kiko Loureiro Official Twitter