SYMPHONY X

Genre Progressive Power Metal
Lyrical theme Mythology/Fantasy, Religion
Origin United States of America (Middletown, New Jersey)
Formed in 1994
Current label Nuclear Blast
Status Active

Current line-up
Russell Allen - Vocals (1995-) (Star One, Ayreon, Russell Allen's Atomic Soul, Genius, Allen / Lande)
Michael Romeo - Guitars (1994-) (Redemption, Kotipelto, Johansson, Phantom's Opera)
Michael Pinnella - Keyboards (1994-) (Michael Romeo)
Michael LePond - Bass (1999-) (Distant Thunder, Sleepy Hollow (USA), Heathen's Rage, Painmuseum, Malakis Reign, Jack Frost (USA))
Jason Rullo - Drums (1994-1998, 2000-) (Redemption)

Former/past member
Vocals:
Rod Tyler (1994) (Overlorde)

Bass:
Thomas Miller (1994-1999)
Andy DeLuca (on tour) (Mullmuzzler)

Drums:
Thomas Walling (1998-2000) (Majeste/Dyers Eve (USA))

Discography

Dance Macabre Demo, 1994
Symphony X Full-length, 1994
The Damnation Game Full-length, 1995
The Divine Wings of Tragedy Full-length, 1997
Twilight in Olympus Full-length, 1998
Behind the Mask Best of/Compilation, 1998
Prelude to the Millennium Best of/Compilation, 1998
V: The New Mythology Suite Full-length, 2000
Live on the Edge of Forever Live album, 2001
The Odyssey Full-length, 2002
Rarities and Demos Best of/Compilation, 2005
Forsaken / Set the World on Fire Split, 2007
Paradise Lost Full-length, 2007

Links

Official
Official Symphony X Homepage
Official Symphony X MySpace

Labels
Symphony X @ Inside Out Music

Fan site
The Eyes of Medusa (French official fan site)
Church of the Machine
Winter's Dream
Symphony X's street team
Symphony X @ Prog Archives

SEPULTURA

Genre Death/Thrash Metal (early), Groove/Hardcore (later)
Lyrical theme Satan, Evil (early), Political & Social Issues
Origin Brazil (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais)
Formed in 1984
Current label SPV/Steamhammer
Status Active

Current line-up
Derrick Green - Vocals, Rhythm Guitars (1997-) (Outface, Musica Diablo)
Andreas Kisser - Lead Guitars (1987-) (Sexoturica, Godswalllop, Asesino, Quarteto De Pinga, Pestilence (Bra), Hail!)
Paulo "Destructor" Xisto Pinto Jr. - Bass (1984-) (The Unabomber Files)
Jean Dolabella - Drums (2006-) (Udora, Andreas Kisser)

Former/past member
Vocals:
Wagner "Antichrist" Lamounier (1984-1985) (Sarcófago, Cirrhosis (Bra), Kommando Kaos)
Max "Possessed" Cavalera (1984-1996, also rhythm guitars) (Nailbomb, Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, Guerrilha)

Guitars:
Roberto "UFO" (1984)
Júlio (1984) (Armmagedon)
Jairo "Tormentor" Guedz (1985-1986) (Guerrilha, Eminence (Bra), Overdose (Bra), The Mist (Bra))

Bass:
Roberto "Gato" Raffan (1984)

Drums:
Igor "Skullcrusher" Cavalera (1984-2006) (Cavalera Conspiracy, Massacration, Guerrilha, Mixhell)

Discography

Bestial Devastation / Século XX Split, 1985
Rehearsal Demo, 1986
Morbid Visions Full-length, 1986
Schizophrenia Full-length, 1987
Live In Sao Paulo '87 Single, 1989
Beneath the Remains Full-length, 1989
Sepultura / Atom Seed Split, 1991
Bestial Devastation EP, 1991
Arise Single, 1991
Desperate Cry Single, 1991
Under Siege (Regnum Irae) Single, 1991
Arise Full-length, 1991
Dead Embryonic Cells Single, 1991
Third World Posse EP, 1992
Under Siege (Live at Barcelona) Video/VHS, 1992
Refuse/Resist EP, 1993
Refuse/Resist Single, 1993
Chaos A.D. Full-length, 1993
Territory Single, 1993
Sepultura / Prong Split, 1994
Slave New World Single, 1994
Third World Chaos Video/VHS, 1995
We Are What We Are Video/VHS, 1996
Natural Born Blasters EP, 1996
Roots Bloody Roots Single, 1996
Roots Full-length, 1996
Ratamahatta Single, 1996
The Roots of Sepultura Best of/Compilation, 1996
Attitude Single, 1996
B-Sides Best of/Compilation, 1997
Procreation of the Wicked EP, 1997
Blood-Rooted Best of/Compilation, 1997
Against Full-length, 1998
Choke Single, 1998
Against Single, 1999
Tribus Single, 1999
Nation Promo Single, 2001
Nation Full-length, 2001
Under a Pale Grey Sky Live album, 2002
Chaos DVD DVD, 2002
Revolusongs EP, 2002
Roorback Full-length, 2003
Roadrunner 25th Anniversary Special Edition Sampler Split, 2005
Roadrunner Records 25th Anniversary Series: Roots Best of/Compilation, 2005
Live In São Paulo DVD, 2005
Live in São Paulo Live album, 2005
Steamhammer Promo Split, 2006
Dante XXI Full-length, 2006
The Best Of Best of/Compilation, 2006
Coquinho Single, 2008
A-Lex Full-length, 2009

Links

Official
Sepultura Homepage
Sepultura @ MySpace
Andreas Kisser @ MySpace
Paulo Xisto @ MySpace
Sepultura @ YouTube
Jean Dolabella @ MySpace
Derrick Green @ MySpace
Sepultura Official Twitter
Andreas Kisser Official Twitter
Sepultura Official Flickr

Labels
Sepultura @ Cogumelo Records
Sepultura @ Roadrunner records
Sepultura @ SPV

Fan site
Sepultura do Brasil
sepulive.com
Belgian Fan Site
Detailed discography @ musik-sammler.de
History
Sepultura.cz
sepultribe.com
Persian Biography
Sepultura Center (Polish)
Sepulnation
SepulArmy
Do Cla Dos Furabrejas

MEGADETH

Genre Speed/Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal/Rock (1990s)
Lyrical theme Religion, Politics, War, History, Literature
Origin United States of America (San Francisco/Los Angeles, California)
Formed in 1983
Current label Roadrunner
Status Active

Current line-up
Dave Mustaine - Vocals, Guitars (1983-2002, 2004-) (Metallica, MD.45, Panic)
Chris Broderick - Guitars (2008-) (Ballistic, Nevermore, Jag Panzer)
David Ellefson - Bass (1983-2002, 2010-) (Avian (USA), F5, Temple of Brutality, Killing Machine, The Alien Blakk, Hail!, Soulfly, Angels of Babylon)
Shawn Drover - Drums (2004-) (Eidolon)

Former/past member
Guitars:
-Greg Handevidt (1983-1984) (Kublai Khan)
-Kerry King (1984) (Slayer (USA))
-Chris Poland (1984-1987, Session 2004) (Damn the Machine, Ohm)
-Jeff Young (1987-1989) (Broken Silence)
-Jay Reynolds (1989-1990) (Malice (USA), Metal Church)
-Marty Friedman (1990-1999) (Deuce (USA), Vixen (USA), Cacophony, Hawaii (USA), Aikawa Nanase, Animetal, Tourniquet)
-Al Pitrelli (2000-2002) (Savatage, Widowmaker, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, C.P.R., Dee Snider, Van Helsing's Curse, Asia)
-Glen Drover (2004-2008) (Eidolon, King Diamond)

Bass:
-James MacDonough (2004-2006) (Iced Earth, Oracle (USA), Prodigy)
-James LoMenzo (2006-2010) (White Lion, Zakk Wylde, Black Label Society, Pride & Glory, Rondinelli, Ozzy Osbourne)
-Jimmy Sloas (2004)

Drums:
-Dijon Carruthers (1983)
-Lee Rausch (1983-1984) (Dark Angel (USA), Wargod (USA))
-Gary "Gar" Samuelson (18th February 1958 - R.I.P. July 14, 1999, liver failure) (1984 -1987) (Fatal Opera)
-Chuck Behler (1987-1989) (The Meanies, Madaxemen, Street Elite, Massacre)
-Nick Menza (1989-1998, 2004) (Marty Friedman, Menza, Memorain, Orphaned to Hatred, Rhoads, Von Skeletor)
-Jimmy DeGrasso (1998-2002) (Suicidal Tendencies, MD.45, Y&T, Killing Machine, Ministry, Lita Ford, Alice Cooper, White Lion, Talas, Hail!, Ronnie Montrose, Fiona, F5, session in A.N.I.M.A.L.)
-Vinnie Colaiuta (Session 2004) (Frank Zappa, Sting)

Discography

Last Rites Demo, 1984
Killing Is My Business...and Business Is Good! Full-length, 1985
Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? Full-length, 1986
Wake Up Dead Single, 1986
Anarchy in the U.K. Single, 1988
Mary Jane Single, 1988
Liar Single, 1988
So Far, So Good...So What! Full-length, 1988
No More Mr. Nice Guy Split, 1989
Rust in Peace promo sampler Demo, 1990
Rust in Peace Full-length, 1990
Holy Wars... The Punishment Due Single, 1990
Rusted Pieces Video/VHS, 1991
Hangar 18 Single, 1991
Maximum Megadeth EP, 1991
Countdown to Extinction Full-length, 1992
Symphony of Destruction Single, 1992
Foreclosure of a Dream Single, 1992
Exposure of a Dream Video/VHS, 1992
Angry Again Single, 1993
Megadeth Live EP, 1993
Sweating Bullets Single, 1993
Skin O' My Teeth Single, 1993
99 Ways to Die EP, 1993
Youthanasia EP, 1994
The History of... Single, 1994
Train of Consequences / Tout Le Monde Single, 1994
Reckoning Day Video/VHS, 1994
Youthanasia Full-length, 1994
Train of Consequences Single, 1994
A Tout le Monde Single, 1995
Evolver Video/VHS, 1995
Hidden Treasures Best of/Compilation, 1995
Megabox Boxed set, 1995
Cyberarmy Exclusive Tracks EP, 1996
The Originals Boxed set, 1997
Cryptic Writings EP, 1997
Almost Honest (Remixes) Single, 1997
Trust (Jukebox Version) Single, 1997
Old Testaments Best of/Compilation, 1997
Cryptic Writings Full-length, 1997
Trust Single, 1997
Almost Honest Single, 1997
Live Trax EP, 1997 [1 review, 90%]
A Secret Place Single, 1998
Use the Man Single, 1998
Live Trax II EP, 1998
Cryptic Sounds (No Voices In Your Head) EP, 1998
Megadeth Best of/Compilation, 1999
Risk EP, 1999
Insomnia Single, 1999
Crush 'Em Single, 1999
Risk Full-length, 1999
Kill the King Single, 2000
Breadline EP, 2000
Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years Best of/Compilation, 2000
Return to Hangar EP, 2001
Moto Psycho Single, 2001
The World Needs a Hero Full-length, 2001
Behind the Music (Extended Version) DVD, 2001
Rude Awakening Live album, 2002
Rude Awakening DVD, 2002
Best of Live Boxed set, 2002
Still, Alive... And Well? Best of/Compilation, 2002
Hell Wasn't Built in a Day (The Complete Reissues) Sampler Best of/Compilation, 2004
The System Has Failed EP, 2004
Blackmail the Universe/Kick the Chair Single, 2004
Die Dead Enough Single, 2004
Unplugged in Philly Live album, 2004
The System Has Failed Full-length, 2004
Hell Wasn't Built in a Day Boxed set, 2004
Of Mice and Men Single, 2005
Video Hits DVD, 2005
Greatest Hits: Back to the Start Best of/Compilation, 2005
Gears of War Single, 2006
Unplugged in Boston Live album, 2006
Arsenal of Megadeth DVD, 2006
A Tout Le Monde / Sleepwalker Single, 2007
That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires DVD, 2007
A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free) Single, 2007
Extended Versions Best of/Compilation, 2007
Washington Is Next! Single, 2007
United Abominations Full-length, 2007
That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires Live album, 2007
Never Walk Alone... A Call to Arms Single, 2007
Warchest Boxed set, 2007
Anthology: Set the World Afire Best of/Compilation, 2008
Deep Cuts EP, 2009
Head Crusher Single, 2009
1,320 Single, 2009
Endgame Full-length, 2009

Links

Official
Megadeth's Official Site
Megadeth @ MySpace
The Official Megadeth Twitter Site

Labels
Megadeth @ Roadrunner

Fan site
Megadeth Fan Site
Detailed discography @ musik-sammler.de
Megadeth Canned Chaos
Megadeth Elba
Megadeth Greece
Russian Megadeth Site
Megadeth Fan Site
Megadeth Italia
Megadeth Turkiye (Eng-Tur)
Megadeth @ Vf
Megadeth Info (Polish)
Chilean Fansite
MegaFan Club (Official Megadeth Fan Club)
MEGADETHMX(México)
Megadeth Brasil
Rust in México [México]
Brazilian Fansite
Megadeth Brazilian Fansite

DREAM THEATRE

Genre : Progressive Metal
Lyrical theme : Philosophy, Emotions, Addiction, Fantasy
Origin : United States of America (Long Island, New York)
Formed in : 1986
Current label : Roadrunner
Status : Active

Current line-up
- Kevin James LaBrie - Vocals (1991-) (Mullmuzzler, Winter Rose, Frameshift, John Macaluso & Union Radio, True Symphonic Rockestra, guest for: Ayreon, Fates Warning, Shadow Gallery, Henning Pauly and Tim Donahue, Roswell Six)
- John Petrucci - Guitars, Backing Vocals (1986-) (Explorers Club, Liquid Tension Experiment)
- John Myung - Bass (1986-) (Platypus, The Jelly Jam, Gordian Knot)
- Mike Portnoy - Drums, Backing Vocals (1986-) (Yellow Matter Custard, Hammer Of The Gods, Transatlantic, Overkill (USA), John Petrucci, Inner Sanctum (USA), OSI, John Arch, Liquid Tension Experiment, Liquid Trio Experiment, Neal Morse, Rising Power (USA), Avenged Sevenfold, Cygnus and the Sea Monsters)
- Jordan Rudess - Keyboards (1999-) (Liquid Tension Experiment, Rudess Morgenstein Project, Dixie Dregs, Vinnie Moore, Liquid Trio Experiment, Daniel J)

Former/past member
Vocals:
Charles Dominici (1987-1990) (Franke&Knockouts)

Keyboards:
Kevin Moore (1986-1994) (OSI, Fates Warning, Chroma Key)
Derek Sherinian (1994-1999) (Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Platypus, Planet X,Section A, Jughead, All Too Human, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Project Steiger, Pete Laramee, Theodore Ziras)


Discography


Majesty Demo Demo, 1986
Status Seeker Single, 1989
Afterlife Single, 1989
When Dream and Day Unite Full-length, 1989
ATCO Demos Demo, 1991
Another Day Single, 1992
Pull Me Under Single, 1992
Images and Words Full-length, 1992
Images And Words; Live In Tokyo Video/VHS, 1993
Live at the Marquee Live album, 1993
The Silent Man Single, 1994
Caught In A Web Single, 1994
Awake Full-length, 1994
Lie Single, 1994
Tears Single, 1995
A Change of Seasons EP, 1995
Fan Club Christmas CD 1996 Best of/Compilation, 1996
Hollow Years Single, 1997
Metal Sampler Single, 1997
You Not Me Single, 1997
Falling Into Infinity Full-length, 1997
Fan Club Christmas CD 1997 Best of/Compilation, 1997
5 Years In A Live Time Video/VHS, 1998
Once in a LIVEtime Live album, 1998
Fan Club Christmas CD 1998 Best of/Compilation, 1998
Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory Full-length, 1999
Cleaning out the Closet (Christmas CD 1999) Best of/Compilation, 1999
Through Her Eyes Single, 2000
Fan Club Christmas CD 2000 Best of/Compilation, 2000
Metropolis 2000: Scenes from New York DVD, 2001
Live Scenes from New York Live album, 2001
Four Degrees Of Radio Edits (Fan Club CD 2001) Best of/Compilation, 2001
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence Full-length, 2002
Taste the Memories (Fan Club CD 2002) Best of/Compilation, 2002
Los Angeles, California 5/18/98 Best of/Compilation, 2003
The Majesty Demos 1985-1986 Best of/Compilation, 2003
The Making Of Scenes From A Memory Best of/Compilation, 2003
As I Am Single, 2003
Train of Thought Full-length, 2003
Graspop 2002 (International fan club CD 2003) Best of/Compilation, 2003
Master of Puppets Best of/Compilation, 2004
Tokyo, Japan 10/28/95 Best of/Compilation, 2004
When Dream and Day Unite Demos 1987-1989 Best of/Compilation, 2004
Image and Words : Live in Tokyo / 5 Years In a Livetime DVD, 2004
Live At Budokan DVD, 2004
Live at Budokan Live album, 2004
A Sort of Homecoming (Fan Club CD 2004) Best of/Compilation, 2004
A Walk Beside The Band DVD, 2005
Images and Words Demos 1989-1991 Best of/Compilation, 2005
The Number of the Beast Best of/Compilation, 2005
When Dream and Day Reunite Best of/Compilation, 2005
When Dream and Day Reunite DVD, 2005
Octavarium Full-length, 2005
Romavarium (Fan Club Dvd 2006) DVD, 2006
Awake Demos 1994 Best of/Compilation, 2006
Old Bridge, New Jersey 12/14/96 Best of/Compilation, 2006
Dark Side Of The Moon Best of/Compilation, 2006
Dark Side Of The Moon DVD, 2006
Score DVD, 2006
Score Live album, 2006
Forsaken / Set the World on Fire Split, 2007
Constant Motion Single, 2007
Systematic Chaos Full-length, 2007
Falling Into Infinity Demos Best of/Compilation, 2007
Made in Japan Best of/Compilation, 2007
New York City 3/4/93 Best of/Compilation, 2007
Bucharest, Romania 7/4/02 DVD, 2007
Lifting Shadows Best of/Compilation, 2007
Images and Words - 15th Anniversary Performance (Fan Club CD 2007) Best of/Compilation, 2008
Greatest Hit (...And 5 Other Pretty Cool Videos) DVD, 2008
Forsaken EP EP, 2008
Greatest Hit (...And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) Best of/Compilation, 2008
Chaos In Motion 2007/2008 DVD, 2008
Chaos In Motion 2007 - 2008 Live album, 2008
A Rite Of Passage Single, 2009
Stargazer Single, 2009
Tenement Funster/Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley Single, 2009
Odyssey Single, 2009
Take Your Fingers From My Hair Single, 2009
Larks' Tongues in Aspic Part II Single, 2009
To Tame a Land Single, 2009
Black Clouds & Silver Linings Full-length, 2009
The Making of Falling Into Infinity Best of/Compilation, 2009
Train Of Thought Instrumental Demos 2003 Best of/Compilation, 2009
Uncovered 2003-2005 Best of/Compilation, 2009
Santiago, Chile 12/6/05 DVD, 2009
Progressive Nation 2008 Best of/Compilation, 2009
Wither Single, 2009
Wither EP, 2009
Raw Dog Single, 2010


Links

Official
Dream Theater Official Website
Mike Portnoy Official Website
Dream Theater Official MySpace
Mike Portnoy Official MySpace
Dream Theater @ Youtube
Jordan Rudess Official Site

Labels
Roadrunner Records artist's page

Fan site
Dream Theater Net
Dream Theater International Fan Club
DT Official Italian Fan Club
Venezuela Official Dream Theater Site
Paradigm Shift
Yourmajesty - Official French Fan club
Official Dream Theater Turkish Fan Club
Fan page @ myspace
Dream Theater Xtreme : Dream Theater Wallpaper/Artwork/Media
DT Brazillian Fan Club
Trial Of Tears - Wallpapers, Pictures,CD/DVD Covers...
Argentina Official Dream Theater site
Colombian Dreamers
Dream Theater fans @ deviantART.com
Detailed discography @ musik-sammler.de
Chilean Skies, fanclub Chile
dreamtheaterforums.com
Five/Eight Forums
Unofficial Forums
Octaforum Kotipesä (Finnish Dream Theater fan forum)
DT Peru Forum
DREAMT.ORG: The Dream Theater Information Network
Dream Theater - the Dance of Eternity
YtseJammers Israel
DT FAQ (Norway)
italiandreamers

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY

Theatre of Tragedy are a Norwegian band from Stavanger, originally assembled in 1992 and best known for their earlier albums,which provided a great deal of influence to the gothic metal genre. The band made use of contrasting vocals - male bass vocals (making some use of death grunts) and female soprano singing (commonly referred to as "Beauty and the Beast" vocals) - and on their first three albums, presented lyrics written predominantly in Early Modern English. Starting from the album Musique, however, Theatre of Tragedy made drastic changes to its style, which became significantly inspired by the industrial rock genre, abandoning Early Modern English writing and death grunts in the process.

Biography

Theatre of Tragedy was founded in 1993 by Raymond István Rohonyi and Pål Bjåstad. Drummer Hein Frode Hansen quit his former band "Phobia" in 1993 and started looking for a new musical project to play in. A friend of his told Hein that a band called Suffering Grief was looking for a new drummer, and after entering in contact with them, he joined the band. At the time, Suffering Grief was composed of vocalist Raymond István Rohonyi and guitarists Pål Bjåstad and Tommy Lindal. No bassist had joined the band yet, but Eirik T. Saltrø had agreed to play with them in live concerts.

After finding a rehearsal place, the band decided to work upon a couple of piano arrangements composed by Lorentz. The vocals, at the time, were mostly entirely composed by raw death grunts.

After composing their first song, "Lament of the Perishing Roses", the band changed its name to La Reine Noir and then to Theatre of Tragedy. They subsequently invited singer Liv Kristine Espenæs to do female vocals for one song, but quickly invited her to join the band permanently.

In 1994, their first studio demo was recorded, and in 1995, the debut album Theatre of Tragedy was released,
followed by Velvet Darkness They Fear in 1996 and the A Rose for the Dead EP in 1997, which contained unreleased material from Velvet Darkness They Fear. Arguably, the band reached the apogee of its career in 1998, with the release of the critically acclaimed album Aégis.

In 2003 Liv Kristine assembled a band (Leaves' Eyes) with her husband Alexander Krull and musicians from his band Atrocity. Later on in August 2003, following Theatre of Tragedy's genre switch to industrial rock in their albums Musique (2000) and Assembly (2002), the band declared in an official statement on their website, that Liv Kristine was removed from the band's line-up due to "musical differences which could not be bridged". Liv Kristine, for her part, claimed in a statement on her website that she was fired via e-mail, and not personally informed of the fact by any of the band members. It is speculated that the primary reason for Liv's firing was due to her moving permanently to Germany, making it difficult for the rest of the band to keep in close contact with her. Her growing commitment to Leaves' Eyes may have also had influence.

Female singer Nell Sigland (from The Crest) joined Theatre of Tragedy on the following year. In winter 2004/2005 a short concert tour (together with Pain, Sirenia and Tiamat) with Sigland singing was performed.

The band released their sixth studio album Storm on March 24, 2006 and a European tour followed, with Gothminister as supporting act. The single to the album's title song was released on February 24, 2006. The new release sees the band taking a step away from the industrial and electronic sounds of the last two albums, returning to a sound closer to that of their first albums.

According to their official website, the band will start recording their 7th album on January 2009 and its release is expected for June of the same year.

Members

Current line up

* Raymond István Rohonyi - Vocals & Programming
* Nell Sigland - Vocals
* Frank Claussen - Guitar
* Vegard K. Thorsen - Guitar
* Lorentz Aspen - Keyboards
* Hein Frode Hansen - Drums

Former members

* Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull - Vocals
* Tommy Lindal - Guitar
* Tommy Olsson - Guitar
* Pål Bjåstad - Guitar
* Geir Flikkeid - Guitar
* Eirik T. Saltrø - Bass

DREAM EVIL

Dream Evil is a power metal band from Sweden, assembled and integrated by renowned musical producer Fredrik Nordström in 1999.

Biography

Producer Fredrik Nordström had the ambition of creating a Power metal band of his own for a long time, but had difficulty finding anyone with musical ideals similar to his own. However, while on holiday in the Greek islands during the year of 1999, Nordström met the young guitarist Gus G. (from Firewind). The musicians got along quite well, despite an age difference of over a decade. Plans for a band commenced - Gus had already been planning to relocate to Gothenburg, and upon his arrival he looked up Fredrik at Studio Fredman to begin writing.

The first person asked to join the new band was Snowy Shaw (from King Diamond, Mercyful Fate and Notre Dame), but the drummer initially refused their invitation. He would later change his mind and agreed to play on the band's debut album in a session capacity.

Vocalist Niklas Isfeldt had done backing vocals for some of HammerFall's songs produced by Nordström, and since he was not involved in any major projects at the time, he agreed to take the position. He also brought along his longtime friend and Pure-X bandmate Peter Stålfors, who assumed bass duties.

Up until the moment the first promotional photos were shot, the entire band had never been in the same place at the same time before. Some members did not even know each other.

The band soon got a deal with Century Media Records, and intended to name themselves Dragonslayer due to the medieval and fantastical themes of the songs written by Gus and Nordström. The label did not find the name original enough, and thus the band settled for the name Dream Evil, inspired by the Dio album of the same name.

Dream Evil's debut album was released in April of 2002, and received positive feedback from the metal press. At one point the album, titled Dragonslayer, reached number one on the Japanese import charts. The band proceeded to play a series of festivals, and also supported Blind Guardian during a part of their world tour.

The band members found that they got along well as a unit, despite the somewhat random manner by which they had been brought together - Snowy Shaw decided to join the band permanently, and Dream Evil went on their first Japanese tour. During their stay in Japan, the band was invited by HammerFall to support their 2003 European tour. Their label manager hinted that it would be a good idea to have a new album out by then.

With little time on their hands, the band wrote the basis of several songs on the flight back to Europe, and on the day of their arrival entered the studio in order to record a new album. They took two weeks in total to record Evilized, and most songs were recorded as they had been written. It was released on the 20th of January, and one week later Dream Evil proceeded to tour Europe with HammerFall and the less known Masterplan.

For their third album, the band actually took time to write the songs and fine-tune them in the studio. The Book of Heavy Metal took two months to be recorded, and was released in May of 2004.

Guitarist Gus G. left the band in late 2004 in order to dedicate more time to Firewind, being replaced by Mark Black (then known as Mark U Black). Black had previously filled in for Gus on a few other occasions and replaced him permanently on their tour as support act for Saxon.

Niklas Isfeldt and Peter Stålfors briefly left in 2005 to be replaced by Jake E. Berg (aka Jake Steel, of Dreamland) and Tommy Larsson, but returned before recordings or live shows were done. At the start of 2006, Snowy Shaw abruptly quit Dream Evil. After a period of silence for several months, Dream Evil announced Pat Power (Patrik Jerksten), a co-worker of Fredrik Nordström from Studio Fredman, as Snowy's replacement.

The first album featuring the new line-up, United, was released on October 13, 2006.

Dream Evil announced on December 7, 2007 on the website that Mark Black would be leaving the band and will be replaced by Daniel Varghamne aka Dannee Demon. On March 3, 2008, the band announced that they had begun work on a new studio album, tentatively titled In The Night. The album has no set release date as of July 24, 2008. On July 23, 2008, the band announced that their first live DVD/CD set, Gold Medal in Metal (Alive & Archive), will be released on August 25, 2008.

Line-up

* Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals
* Daniel Varghamne - Lead Guitar
* Fredrik Nordström - Rhythm Guitar
* Peter Stålfors - Bass
* Pat Power - Drums

Former members

* Gus G. - Lead Guitar
* Mark Black - Lead Guitar
* Snowy Shaw - Drums
* Jake E. Berg - Vocals
* Tommy Larsson - Bass

Session musicians:

* Magnus Olsfelt - Bass
* Daniel Svensson - Drums
* Klas Bas - Bass

NIGHTWISH

Genre Operatic/Symphonic Power Metal
Lyrical theme Love, Nature, Astrology, Fantasy
Origin Finland (Kitee)
Formed in 1996
Current label Nuclear Blast
Status Active

Current line-up
Anette Olzon Blyckert - Vocals (2007-) (Disdain (Swe), Alyson Avenue)
Tuomas Holopainen - Keyboards (also Vocals 1996-1997) (Darkwoods My Betrothed, Furthest Shore, Kotiteollisuus, Nattvindens Gråt, For My Pain..., Sethian, Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus, Timo Rautiainen)
Erno ''Emppu'' Vuorinen - Guitar (also Bass 1996-1997) (Altaria, Darkwoods My Betrothed, Brother Firetribe, Almah)
Marco Hietala - Bass, Vocals (2001-) (Tarot (Fin), Sinergy, Northern Kings, Sapattivuosi)
Jukka "Julius" Nevalainen - Drums (1997-) (Sethian)

Former/past member
Vocals:
Tarja Turunen (1996-2005)

Bass:
Sami Vänskä (1998-2001) (Nattvindens Gråt, Root Remedy, Wizzard (Fin))

Discography


Demo Demo, 1996
The Carpenter Split, 1997
Angels Fall First Full-length, 1997
Sacrament of Wilderness Split, 1998
Passion and the Opera Single, 1998
Oceanborn Full-length, 1998
Walking in the Air Single, 1999
Sleeping Sun (Ballads of the Eclipse) EP, 1999
The Kinslayer Single, 2000
Wishmaster Full-length, 2000
Deep Silent Complete Single, 2000
Golden Wishes Boxed set, 2001
Over the Hills and Far Away EP, 2001
Wishmastour 2000 EP, 2001
From Wishes to Eternity DVD, 2001
From Wishes to Eternity Live album, 2001
Bless the Child Single, 2002
1997-2001 Boxed set, 2002
Bless the Child EP, 2002
Century Child Full-length, 2002
Ever Dream Single, 2002
End of Innocence DVD, 2003
Special Edition Boxed set, 2004
Nemo Single, 2004
Nemo DVD, 2004
Once Full-length, 2004
Wish I Had an Angel DVD, 2004
Wish I Had an Angel Single, 2004
Tales from the Elvenpath Best of/Compilation, 2004
Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan Single, 2004
Bestwishes Best of/Compilation, 2005
The Siren EP, 2005 [1 review, 80%]
Highest Hopes - The Best of Nightwish Best of/Compilation, 2005
Sleeping Sun Single, 2005
Once DVD, 2006
End of an Era Boxed set, 2006
End of an Era DVD, 2006
End of an Era Live album, 2006
Ballads of the Eclipse Single, 2006
Eva Single, 2007
Amaranth (Part 1) Single, 2007
Amaranth DVD, 2007
Amaranth (Part 2) Single, 2007
Dark Passion Play Full-length, 2007
Hi Five - Female Fronted Metal Split, 2007
Erämaan Viimeinen Single, 2007
Amaranth Single, 2008
Bye Bye Beautiful DVD, 2008
Bye Bye Beautiful Single, 2008
The Islander Single, 2008
The Sound of Nightwish Reborn Best of/Compilation, 2008
Made in Hong Kong (and in Various Other Places) Best of/Compilation, 2009
Amaranth (Live) Single, 2009
Lokikirja Boxed set, 2009

IRON MAIDEN

Genre Heavy Metal/NWOBHM
Lyrical theme History, Literature, War, Mythology, Violence
Origin United Kingdom (London, England)
Formed in 1975
Current label EMI/Sony Music Entertainment
Status Active

Current line-up
Bruce Dickinson - Vocals (1981-1993, 1999-) (Samson (Gbr), Speed (Gbr), Shots)
Steve Harris - Bass/Keyboards (1975-) (Smiler, Gypsy's Kiss)
Dave Murray - Guitars (1976-1977, 1977-) (Urchin, Hear 'n Aid, Evil Way (Gbr))
Adrian Smith - Guitars (1980-1990, 1999-) (A.S.A.P., Psycho Motel, Bruce Dickinson, Urchin, Hear 'n Aid)
Janick Gers - Guitars (1990-) (Bruce Dickinson, Gogmagog (Gbr), White Spirit, Ian Gillan Band)
Michael "Nicko" McBrain - Drums (1983-) (Trust (Fra), Blazer Blazer, Street Walker, Pat Travers)

Former/past member
Vocals:
-Paul Mario Day (1975-1976) (More, Wildfire, Sweet, Crimson Lake)
-Dennis Wilcock (1976-1978) (Smiler, V1)
-Paul Di'Anno (1978-1981) (Di'Anno, Gogmagog (Gbr), Battlezone, Killers (Gbr), Praying Mantis)
-Blaze Bayley (1994-1999) (Wolfsbane, Blaze (Gbr))

Guitars:
-Dave Sullivan (1975-1976)
-Terry Rance (1975-1976)
-Bob "Angelo" Sawyer (1976) (Praying Mantis, Weapon (Gbr))
-Terry Wapram (1977) (V1)
-Paul Cairns (1979)
-Paul Todd (1979)
-Tony Parsons (1979)
-Dennis Stratton (1979-1980) (Stratus, Lionheart (Gbr), Praying Mantis)

Drums:
-Ron "Rebel" Matthews (1975-1977)
-Barry "Thunderstick" Purkis Graham (1977) (Samson (Gbr))
-Doug Sampson (1977-1979) (Smiler)
-Clive Burr (1979-1982) (Elixir (Gbr), Gogmagog (Gbr), Trust (Fra), Desperado (USA), Samson (Gbr), Stratus, Clive Burr's Escape, Praying Mantis, Alcatrazz)

Keyboards:
-Tony Moore (1977) (V1)

Discography

The Soundhouse Tapes Demo, 1979
Running Free Single, 1980
Iron Maiden Full-length, 1980
Sanctuary Single, 1980
Women in Uniform Single, 1980
Live!! + One EP, 1980
Killers Full-length, 1981
Twilight Zone Single, 1981
Live at the Rainbow Video/VHS, 1981
Purgatory Single, 1981
Wrathchild Single, 1981
Maiden Japan EP, 1981
Run to the Hills Single, 1982
The Number of the Beast Full-length, 1982
The Number of the Beast Single, 1982
Flight of Icarus Single, 1983
Piece of Mind Full-length, 1983
The Trooper Single, 1983
Video Pieces Video/VHS, 1983
2 Minutes to Midnight Single, 1984
Powerslave Full-length, 1984
Aces High Single, 1984
Behind the Iron Curtain Video/VHS, 1984
Running Free (live) Single, 1985
Live After Death Live album, 1985
Live After Death Video/VHS, 1985
Run to the Hills (live) Single, 1985
Wasted Years Single, 1986
Somewhere in Time Full-length, 1986
Stranger in a Strange Land Single, 1986
12 Wasted Years Video/VHS, 1987
Can I Play With Madness Single, 1988
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Full-length, 1988
The Evil That Men Do Single, 1988
The Clairvoyant Single, 1988
Infinite Dreams Single, 1989
Maiden England Video/VHS, 1989
Running Free - Sanctuary EP, 1990
Women in Uniform - Twilight Zone EP, 1990
Purgatory - Maiden Japan EP, 1990
Run to the Hills - The Number of the Beast EP, 1990
Flight of Icarus - The Trooper EP, 1990
2 Minutes to Midnight - Aces High EP, 1990
Running Free - Run to the Hills EP, 1990
Wasted Years - Stranger in a Strangeland EP, 1990
Can I Play With Madness - The Evil That Men Do EP, 1990
The Clairvoyant - Infinite Dreams EP, 1990
Holy Smoke Single, 1990
No Prayer for the Dying Full-length, 1990
The First Ten Years Video/VHS, 1990
Bring Your Daughter ... To the Slaughter Single, 1990
Be Quick or Be Dead Single, 1992
Fear of the Dark Full-length, 1992
From Here to Eternity Single, 1992
Wasting Love Single, 1992
From There to Eternity Video/VHS, 1992
Fear of the Dark (Live) Single, 1993
A Real Live One Live album, 1993
Hallowed Be Thy Name Single, 1993
A Real Dead One Live album, 1993
Live at Donington Live album, 1993
Donington Live 1992 Video/VHS, 1993
Raising Hell Video/VHS, 1994
Maiden England Live album, 1994
Man on the Edge Single, 1995
The X Factor Full-length, 1995
The Story So Far Part One Boxed set, 1995
The Story So Far Part Two Boxed set, 1995
Lord of the Flies Single, 1996
Virus Single, 1996
Best of the Beast Best of/Compilation, 1996
The Angel & The Gambler Single, 1998
Virtual XI Full-length, 1998
Futureal Single, 1998
Eddie Head Boxed set, 1998
Wrathchild' 99 (promo) Single, 1999
Ed Hunter Best of/Compilation, 1999
The Wicker Man Single, 2000
Brave New World Full-length, 2000
Out of the Silent Planet Single, 2000
Classic Albums: The Number of the Beast DVD, 2001
Rock in Rio Live album, 2002
17 Numbers by the Beast Best of/Compilation, 2002
Rock in Rio DVD, 2002
Edward the Great Best of/Compilation, 2002
Eddie's Archive Boxed set, 2002
Visions of the Beast DVD, 2003
Wildest Dreams Single, 2003
Dance of Death Full-length, 2003
Rainmaker Single, 2003
No More Lies EP, 2004
The Early Days DVD, 2004
The Essential Iron Maiden Best of/Compilation, 2005
Death on the Road Live album, 2005
Death on the Road DVD, 2006
The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg Single, 2006
A Matter of Life and Death Full-length, 2006
Different World Single, 2006
Live After Death DVD, 2008
Somewhere Back in Time - The Best of: 1980-1989 Best of/Compilation, 2008
Flight 666 DVD, 2009
Flight 666: The Original Soundtrack Live album, 2009 [1 review, 60%]
The Final Frontier Full-length, 2010

Links

Official
Iron Maiden Official Homepage
Iron Maiden Official Youtube Channel
Iron Maiden Official MySpace
Iron Maiden Official FanClub
Flight 666 Movie @ YouTube
Iron Maiden Official Facebook

Labels
Iron Maiden @ Columbia Records

Fan site
Fear of the Web
Maiden Serbia
Iron Maiden Planet (German Fan site)
Maiden Denmark
Iron Maiden suisse romand
Sanktuarium - Polish Fan Club
Australian Fan Site
Maiden World
Polish Fan Site
Kheldan's Iron Maiden Pit
Fan Club Italia
Iron Maiden Marseille
Unas
Irons CZ
Iron Maiden Chile
Finnish fansite
Maiden Fans.com
Web Iron Maiden Spanish
Belgian Iron Maiden Fanclub
Iron Maiden Austria
Iron Maiden Colombia
Iron Maiden Peru
Maiden Serbia
Maiden Fans United
Maidenfans
Turkish Fan Site
Iron Maiden Bolivia
Iron Maiden fan page Lithuania
Iron Maiden Colombia
Iron Maiden Slovensko
Iron Maiden Scandinavia
eddie gallery
Iron Maiden France
Iron Maiden@Uruguay
Fan site Croatia
Czech fanclub
Iron Maiden Argentinian Fan Club Forum
Iron maiden - paraguay
ironmaidenheaven.com
MaidenMIDI
ironmaiden.webvis.net/
Iron Maiden Wallpapers
Iron Maiden Tribute @ Sanctuary
Iron Maiden @ FAQ.COM
Tribute
Chilean Troopers
Paul Mario Day Official Website
www.ironmaiden.cl
Maiden Bulgaria
Iron Maiden Covers, Fan Art, Wallpapers
Iron Maiden Covers, Fan Art, Wallpapers (Updated Regularly)
Detailed discography @ musik-sammler.de

BLIND GUARDIAN

Genre : Speed Metal (early), Power/Progressive Metal (later)
Lyrical theme : Epic Tales, Legends/Myths, Tolkien
Origin : Germany (Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia)
Formed in : 1986
Current label : Nuclear Blast Records
Status : Active

Current line-up
Hansi Kürsch - Vocals (1986-) (Bass 1986-1995) (Demons & Wizards)
André Olbrich - Lead Guitar (1986-)
Marcus Siepen - Rhythm Guitar (1987-)
Frederik Ehmke - Drums (2005-) (Schattentantz, Neoshine, Sinbreed)

Session/Live members:
Oliver Holzwarth - Bass (Power Quest, Paradox (Deu), Coldseed, Sieges Even/Looking-Glass-Self/Val'Paraiso, Sodom, Demons & Wizards, Leaves' Eyes, Brutal Godz)
Michael "Mi" Schüren - Keyboards (Coldseed)

Former/past member(s)
Thomen "the Omen" Stauch - Drums (1987-2005) (Savage Circus, Iron Savior, Heavenward, Coldseed)
Alex Holzwarth - Live Drums (2002-2003) (Rhapsody of Fire, Sieges Even, Val'Paraiso, Angra, Paradox (Deu), Dol Ammad, Avantasia, Brutal Godz)


Discography


Battalions of Fear Full-length, 1988
Banish from Sanctuary Single, 1989
Live promo Demo, 1989
Follow the Blind Full-length, 1989
Tales from the Twilight World EP, 1990
1990 demo Demo, 1990
Tales from the Twilight World Full-length, 1990
1991 demo Demo, 1991
Somewhere Far Beyond Full-length, 1992
Tokyo Tales Live album, 1993
Bright Eyes Single, 1995
A Past and Future Secret Single, 1995
Imaginations from the Other Side Full-length, 1995
Blind Guardian Plays Beach Boys Single, 1996
Mr. Sandman Single, 1996
The Forgotten Tales Best of/Compilation, 1996
Guardians of the Rings EP, 1998
Mirror Mirror Single, 1998
Nightfall in Middle-Earth Full-length, 1998
And Then There Was Silence Single, 2001
A Night at the Opera Full-length, 2002
The Bard's Song (In the Forest) Single, 2003
Live Live album, 2003
Imaginations Through the Looking Glass DVD, 2004
Fly Single, 2006
A Twist in the Myth Full-length, 2006
Another Stranger Me EP, 2007
A Voice in the Dark Single, 2010
At the Edge of Time Full-length, 2010


Links

Official
Blind Guardian Official Homepage
Blind Guardian Official MySpace
Blind Guardian Official Facebook Page
Blind Guardian Official Bebo Page

Labels
Blind Guardian @ Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast @ myspace
Nuclear Blast Europe @ Bebo

Fan site
The Ultimate Blind Guardian Site
Unofficial Fan Community
Yolgezer's Blind Guardian Page
Russian Unofficial
Italian Fansite
Blind Guardian: Czech Fan Site
The Blind Guardian Releases
Russian Blind Guardian Fan Club
Swiss Blind Guardian Website
Czech Blind Guardian Fanclub
Greek Fan Club
German Fan Site
French fan website
Blind Guardian @ Turkish Fan Site
Blind Guardian Chile
Blind Guardian Argentina - Argentinian Fan-Forum of Blind Guardian

ANGRA

Angra is a heavy metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its use of symphonic interludes, highly technical guitar playing, and regional elements in their songs.
Angra was formed in 1991 by Santa Marcelina Music College students vocalist André Matos, duo guitarist Rafael Bittencourt and André Linhares, and were joined by former Rafael Bittencourt band mate drummer Marcos Antunes, as well as former Firebox bassist and former both Rafael Bittencourt and André Linhares high-school mate Luís Mariutti.

With this line-up, several of the first band hits were composed, mainly by Rafael Bittencourt and André Matos. The very first song to take form was "Time", which later became part of their first album.

"Angels Cry", composed by Matos and Bittencourt came shortafter.
"Queen of the Night" was originally "Rainha" and was written by Bittencourt while he played with Marcos Antunes in another band. The song was then revived to integrate Angra's repertoire.

"Carry On" was brought ready to band, composed by Andre Matos.
In the beginning of 1992, André Linhares left and guitarist André Hernandes replaced him.

In the short time that Hernandes stayed in the band, he changed the existing songs arrangements, giving them body and substance. A lot of his licks were kept by his replacement, Kiko Loureiro.

It was during Hernandes time in the band, that "Evil Warning" took shape. A Bittencourt's old song called "Reaching Horizons" was by then incorporated to the band. The last work of this line up was on the tribute to Kate Bush "Wuthering Heights"

Shortly after guitarist André Hernandes left the band, Kiko Loureiro, who has played with both Antunes and Bittencourt in other bands, joined Angra.
After almost an entire year of rehearsal they released the demo Reaching Horizons in 1992 which was received very positively by critics and achieved unexpected success both in Brazil and Europe. It was one of the first releases from Limb Music Products, which later would become one of Europe's premier power metal specialty labels.

During the recording sessions for their first album Angels Cry, Marco Antunes left the band. Sieges Even's drummer Alex Holzwarth was called to finish the album; Ricardo Confessori was later invited to be the new drummer. This change established Angra in its most enduring and prolific form, which lasted from 1993 to 2000. Angels Cry was recorded at Gamma Ray guitarist Kai Hansen's studio in Hamburg, Germany. The album included performances by Heaven's Gate guitarist Sascha Paeth as well as Gamma Ray guitarists Kai Hansen and Dirk Schlächter.

The album was released in Brazil in 1993 and featured many classical influences as well as an adventurous cover of Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights". The album was a great success in Angra's native Brazil as well as Japan where it sold over 100,000 copies[citation needed]. That year Angra dominated the polls of the Brazilian magazine Rock Brigade obtaining awards for Best New Band, Best Album, Best Singer, Best Album Cover and Best Keyboard Player[citation needed]. Due to the album's success in Japan an EP was issued on the Japanese market which included remixed versions of songs from Angels Cry (Evil Warning, Angels Cry, Carry On and Wuthering Heights). In the following year the album was subsequently released in Europe through Dream Circle, and in France by C.N.R. It went on to be very successful both critically and commercially.

In 1994 Angra opened for AC/DC in Brazil and was invited to the inaugural Brazilian Monsters of Rock Festival, sharing stage with KISS, Black Sabbath and Slayer. After the festival, the band embarked on what would be a very successful Brazilian tour, which eventually ended in Europe in 1995.

Holy Land - an ambitious project involving huge orchestration, choirs, and Brazilian rhythms - was released in 1996. Once again the production was handled by Sascha Paeth and Charlie Bauerfiend. Holy Land proved even more successful than Angels Cry, and the Japanese Victor release, including the bonus track Queen of the Night, went gold. Angra toured Japan for the first time following the huge success of Holy Land. That same year the EP Freedom Call was released including cover versions of Judas Priest´s "Painkiller", which was followed by the release of the live album Holy Live, recorded in Paris in 1997.

In 1998 Angra released the EP Lisbon, followed by the album Fireworks; both were produced by Chris Tsangarides. Fireworks was a departure from Angra's earlier experimental sound. It focused more on the traditional heavy metal sound, and lacked the classical influences that were apparent in Angels Cry and the Brazilian rhythms that were included in Holy Land. A lengthy world tour was set up in support for the album. Angra made an appearance at the Buenos Aires´s edition of the Monsters of Rock Festival. The Holy Box was released the same year by Lucretia Records including exclusive acoustic tracks. In 2000 Angra co-headlined shows in Europe with Time Machine and Stratovarius.

During mid 2000 Angra split, parting ways with vocalist Andre Matos and its entire rhythm section, bassist Luis Mariutti and drummer Ricardo Confessori. After a great deal of speculation concerning the end of the band, remaining guitarists and founders Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt started drafting musicians to preserve the band. Symbols's vocalist Eduardo Falaschi, Paul Di'Anno's drummer Aquiles Priester and bassist Felipe Andreoli were chosen after what the band called a "rigorous and criterious process involving both technical skills, previous experience and perfect mutual musical understanding".

Rebirth was released in 2001, produced by Dennis Ward. The album was both a critical and commercial success in Brazil and internationally, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide in less than 2 months[citation needed]. The album went gold in Brazil that same year[citation needed]. The EP Hunters and Prey was released in 2002 which included acoustic takes of Rebirth songs, as well as other new material, a cover of "Mama" by Genesis, and their first song with lyrics in Portuguese Caça e Caçador (Portuguese for Hunter and Prey). Angra was a featured guest on many mainstream TV shows in Brazil.

Angra would play live in Japan and appeared in The Rock Machine Festival in Spain, the famed Wacken Open Air event in Germany and The ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, which was their first visit to the USA. Following the tour, various members of the group played as guests in many projects, including the Led Zeppelin tribute album The Metal Zeppelin - The Music Remains The Same.

Temple of Shadows recording sessions started in January 2004 at Mosh Studios in São Paulo. Dennis Ward once again was at the production role. The album guested famous vocalists Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), Sabine Edelsbacher (Edenbridge), Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and the Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento. Temple of Shadow was a concept album based around a character known as The Shadow Hunter and his saga which is described as "a saga of a crusader knight that ends up disputing the expansionist ideals of the Catholic Church in the eleventh century". Progressive metal influencies permeate the album to an extent never seen before on an Angra release, making it sound closer to Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation. Expanding from the typical power metal sound, the album incorporates orchestras ("No Pain For The Dead"), flamenco ("The Shadow Hunter"), triple timing ("Wishing Well"), and epic vocal parts often including entire choirs, and not limited from female voices. The record sold over 20,000 copies in the first week in Japan alone, selling close to 50,000 copies in Brazil and over 250.000 worldwide.

The band made a very successful tour in Brazil and an impressive European tour, headlining shows in Southern Europe throughout Spain, Italy, and France in February 2005. For the first time since its creation, the band played at a UK show at The Mean Fiddler in London, supported by DragonForce, and later joined Finnish band Nightwish for the Japanese dates in March. The band then went to Taiwan and after, for the first time, they played in the Oceania continent headlining shows in Australia.

Angra resumed the Brazilian tour and then returned to Europe for the Lorca Roch Festival, Live in Italy and Bull Rock Festival, sharing stages with big heavy metal names like Iron Maiden and Dream Theater.

Later in 2006, Angra worked once again with producer Dennis Ward on their new album, entitled Aurora Consurgens, focusing on a non-concept album as Rebirth was. Instead, they pursued a close relative of the idea, a theme album. The moods and lyrical content of a themed album all follow a specific topic or idea, rather than a story, which are apparent from start to finish. In the case of Aurora Consurgens, the lyrics are about the different mental perturbations such as suicide, schizophrenia, sociopathy, bipolar disorder, etc.

Also in 2006, Fábio Laguna composed a solo progressive instrumental album called Freakeys along with drummer Aquiles Priester and bassist Felipe Andreoli.
In 2008, Singer Edu Falaschi was originally reported as saying that Angra "has been terminated", but this was later revealed to be both a misunderstanding and a misreporting of his words. Edu later clarified what was meant by his earlier comments: "Angra is not done; we're taking a break, a pause. The band is going through some difficult management issues, and all of us are doing our best to get back on the road".

Members

Angra's first line-up was formed in 1991 with Andre Matos, Rafael Bittencourt, Kiko Loureiro, Luís Mariutti and Marco Antunes. They recorded their first EP Reaching Horizons, which was followed by Marco Antunes leaving the band in 1992 just prior to the recording of their first album Angels Cry. Alex Holzwarth was chosen as a replacement for the recording sessions and was later replaced by Ricardo Confessori. This was the longest lived Angra line-up. In 2000 Matos, Mariutti and Confessori left the band, eventually grouping together to form the power metal band Shaaman. In 2001 Eduardo Falaschi, Felipe Andreoli and Aquiles Priester joined the band for the release of Rebirth. The band also recruited keyboard players on different occasions after Andre Matos' departure but they never received "member" status.

Current members
Eduardo Falaschi - Vocals (2001–present)
Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars (1991–present)
Kiko Loureiro - Guitars (1991–present)
Felipe Andreoli - Bass (2001–present)
Aquiles Priester - Drums (2001–present)
Fábio Laguna (tour member) - Keyboards (2004–present)

Former members
André Matos - Vocals (1991–2000)
André Hernandes - Guitar (1992)
André Linhares - Guitar (1991)
Luís Mariutti - Bass (1991–2000)
Leck Filho - Keyboards Live (1993–1998)
Marco Antunes - Drums (1991–1992)
Alex Holzwarth - Drums (1993–1994)
Ricardo Confessori - Drums (1994–2000)