Shaaman (aka Shaman)

[kerrick]

Does anyone listen to these guys? For those who don't know, it's the singer, bassist, and drummer who left angra (which now sucks by the way) and started their own band, Shaaman (who totally rock). Their 1st album was more powermetal, and their second is just absolutely amazing melodic metal. Check them out!
-Kerrick

[BenMech]

My opinion of Andre Matos is well known (fyi: not liking), but the rhythm section of Angra was often really really good.

[kerrick]

Andre sounds VERY different in Shaaman. He doesn't do that higher-than-the-Beachboys falseto as he did in Angra. He sounds better on Reason than Ritual IMO.

[kerrick]

So I thought that Shaaman had broken up, but it's not so! I just found out today that they got a new album coming out next month! Other than their drummer (same drummer from old Angra too), they've got a completely new line-up, yet still have that Shaaman sound to them. The two songs on their website, www.shamanimmortal.com/news.php?lang=1, sound pretty good.

[chimaera]

Matos had a historical approach to Holy Land; i have never heard a voice destroy so much in such little time ... quite a journey. However i think his voice works a bit better on Fireworks, which i happen to like ´cause it´s NOT just another fucking power metal record.

[kerrick]

You like "Fireworks" more than "Holy Land!?!" Don't think I've ever heard of anyone with that preference! Don't get me wrong, "Fireworks" is a solid album, but "Holy Land" is just spectacular IMO. I like all three before the band split though. "Angels Cry" is neck and neck with "Holy Land" for me. Speaking of Andre Matos though, he's got a new solo album coming out pretty soon as well. From what I've heard, it sounds pretty good.

[chimaera]

Holy Land has some amazing music, most people know that, but those vocals destroy the songs. How come stereos don´t have a no-voice-function?

[kerrick]

Shaman's new album "Immortal" is fairly decent. Definitely much more power-metal than "Reason" which I think is kind of a step backwards for the band, but with a practically whole new line-up I guess it makes sense to change the sound a bit, even if that means going back to its roots.

[BenMech]

oh, Angra broke up quietly a month or so ago

[kerrick]

benmech said:

oh, Angra broke up quietly a month or so ago

Really!?! Dang I didn't hear about that. That's probably for the best, as their last three albums were pretty bad, and were getting worse. Andre Matos has a solo album out now I'd like to hear though.

[chimaera]

Someone had put in some Shamaan songs in my walkman. To be power metal I have to say I liked it quite a bit.. the vocals weren´t as high as he had in Angra.. Of course Angras music guitars/ rythmic sections are much better but the vocals are important for me so..

[chimaera]

Eh, w e r e much better, new Angra is just lame power-cheesy-euro-you-should-quit-right-now-"rock".

[kerrick]

Yeah, new Angra is pretty horrible. Although I looked on their website and it says that they're just taking a break! I was hoping that they had for sure called it quits... But I do like the new Shaman album a fair bit. They're FAR better than anything Angra has put out with their new line-up.

[chimaera]

Agreed. I might pick up some Shaman cd´s when they´re on nice price. Avantasia is also back, they´ve received some good reviews. Power metal is not dead!