As always concerts go first. The only things we can announce at the moment is the Armored Saint concerts in Thessaloniki September 22nd (Ydrogeios) and Athens September 24th (An Club) and the Grave Digger concerts in the 7th and 8th of October in Thessaloniki and Athens. There are more things to come, like The Gathering (October), Him (September), Spiritual Beggars (October), Cradle Of Filth (November) and possibly Stratovarius (December) but nothing is confirmed as we go online and there are no dates available yet. We'll certainly have more details to announce in the next issue of our news tape.
The end of Angra is official. Andre Matos published the following statement: "Hello friends! In this very special moment I've been thinking of some words to comfort all those who worry about the future and to explain a reason for all this. For there's one single reason: Angra had started out as a band with real friendship and lots of dreams within. Some of them came true and that was not only on our will but also by the help and care of all those who followed us around the world step by step: fans, press, business people. I think the band has reached every level that we could ever expect. Of course there would have been much more to conquer, but that's when some problems started out. Occasionally we'd been having serious discussions with our management in Brazil. There was a period, right before Fireworks, when the confidence in each other seemed already ruined. That almost caused a split then but with promises that everything would be cleared, we gave ourselves one more try. Those were just vain words. What happened then was a lot of misunderstanding and falsity, the band being forced to walk on the wrong way and the beginning of a big disharmony within the members. Of course it would also reflect in the musical side. For me, the name Angra always meant something good, a quality that would only grow up and somekind of spirit that we can t explain. I just couldn't watch it die. I just wouldn't say I'd stay in the band and do one more record for the sake of money. If I ever told the press that the day we would be no longer creative we should stop, that's the time. I believe in myself as a musician and I believe we shouldn't betray our very instincts and that's why I have this attitude. Of course I worry about the many fans who feel lost now but one thing is to say: I'm not dead and I feel even stronger now. And I won't let you down. Now the plans point to Virgo (which actually has nothing to do with the Angra split, of course it will be the next thing and I feel very happy to be involved with such great music). But the future keeps an open gate, for my friends Luis Mariutti and Ricardo Confessori left the band by the same reasons as me. We three think we shouldn't let the angel fall and despite not keeping the Angra name, we keep all the rest. Thank you very much for your friendship and understanding and can't wait to meet you all again around the world!! Sincerely yours, Andre Matos".
