Interview with Felipe Andreoli “Angra”

The 1991-formed Brazilian power metal band Angra is embarking on a Latin American tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the wonderful album Temple of Shadows.

Before they visited Argentina, Felipe Andreoli (Angra’s bassist) took his time to talk with us.

SUNRAY: Hi Felipe! Thank you so much for this interview. As we mentioned, this tour is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Temple of Shadows.” What has this album meant to you?

Felipe Andreoli /Angra: Temple of Shadows was a very, very important record. Maybe the most important album of my whole career.

Uh, because we built up from the success of Rebirth and we felt much more free to create and to write music the way we wanted to. We’re not so worried about, you know, having to prove that Angra was back anymore. We had already proven that. So when we set out to do this record, we were, you know, feeling very free and very inspired. And we were fresh from the tour, so we were really, you know, in good shape to write songs that were challenging and at the same time had great harmonies and melodies. And the response to this album was great and propelled the band to again be very successful internationally after the break before Rebirth.

So it’s a very, it’s a landmark album for us for sure.

SUNRAY: Has your attitude towards making new albums changed through the years?

Felipe Andreoli /Angra: Uh, our attitude towards making albums has not changed much.

Of course, when you have different people working in the process, the process is always a little bit different. Every new element kind of changes the dynamic a little bit. But in the end, I would say that the process is pretty much the same. Um, songs can come from anywhere, from any source of inspiration, be it, you know, someone being alone in a car and humming a melody or a drum beat or us jamming in the studio and ideas coming from that.

We really have no rules for that.

As long as the idea, you know, holds water and and really, you know, sticks with us, we give it a chance and take it as far as it can be.

SUNRAY: How does your creative process work, do all members contribute equally or is there one main songwriter?

Felipe Andreoli /Angra: Um, we all contribute to the to the creative process.

Of course, each one of us have their different ways of writing music. Some are more, you know, prolific in writing music, some are more, you know, contributing ideas and, you know, parts here and there.

But in the end, everything that we do goes through the filter of the five of us. It doesn’t matter who came up with the idea first. It’s always a sum of what we all would like to hear combined with what we think and know the fans want. And always keeping in mind the legacy of Angra and what we’re all about.

So there’s a filter and everybody, you know, is free to contribute. It’s just that some people have different ways of doing it.

SUNRAY: How do you think about the music industry today?

Felipe Andreoli /Angra: I think it’s very democratic, um, in terms of, you know, getting your bands out there.

You don’t need anyone, any company to join before you. You can do it yourself.

But at the same time, there’s a lot of work and it really takes a lot of commitment. Uh, if you want to do it in a low budget, you really have to work hard for it.

And some people some people still have, you know, more traditional release mechanisms such as Angra.

We’re a known band with those contracts, so we still have rented labels and all. But it’s totally doable, uh, you know, by yourself.

My solo album is an example.

I did it by myself almost the whole entire process. So, yeah, it’s really up to us, you know, how much we’re invested in the process to make it happen.

SUNRAY: Next week, you will come to Argentina we will cover the concert on Friday 28th at the Teatro Flores, So, I won’t spoil too much, but, What can you tell us about the next concert?

Felipe Andreoli /Angra: Uh, well, it’s great to be back in Argentina. It’s been a while.

And Argentina is, of course, as you guys know, one of the greatest crowds in the whole world.

We love to play at the Flores.

Uh, it’s always a great concert and this time around, we’re playing Temple of Shadows in its entirety plus some other songs from our catalog. And I’m sure the Argentinian crowd will go crazy in the show and we’ll have great energy.

So, yeah, that’s what I expect from it.

SUNRAY: What is the song that can never be missing from a show?

Felipe Andreoli /Angra: The song that can never be missing from a show.

I I would have to go with Carry On, but not only Carry On.

We have a few songs that cannot be missing from a show.

I think Nova Era and Rebirth are also songs that people expect to hear. And there are many others, but in a show where we’re playing the whole album and the album itself is over one hour, it’s very hard to, you know, make a set list that is not three hours long and that can contemplate different phases of the band. So that’s what we try to do.

SUNRAY: Can you give a message to the Argentinian fans who are eagerly awaiting you?

Felipe Andreoli /Angra: We are eagerly awaiting to see you guys.

Uh, we love Argentina and the Argentinian people. The concerts have always been memorable in Argentina and this time around, we get to play more cities, which is very exciting.

Uh, it’s my first time doing it.

We usually only play Buenos Aires.

So I think it’s going to be a great experience and I can’t wait to see you all there.

Well, that’s it.

Thank you for the interview and see you in a few days.

SUNRAY: Thank you so much for your time Felipe, All the best, and see you this Friday!

Angra will be performing this Friday March 28th at the Teatro Flores

Get your tickets

https://www.passline.com/eventos/angra-temple-of-shadows-20th-anniversary-tour-28-de-marzo-de-2025

Interview by Maria Fernanda Capici

Photos by Eliana Fernandez