Style: power metal, progressive metal (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Angra, Edu Falaschi, Shaman, also Angra
Country: Brazil
Release date: 31 May 2024
Angra’s Temple of Shadows is my favorite power metal album ever, bar none: it’s Auro Control’s, too. Since 1993 with debut record Angels Cry, Angra have been the kings of the Brazilian power metal scene, and they’re wildly revered, admired, and influential for nearly every melodic Brazilian metal band ever, but on Auro Control’s debut album, The Harp, the group isn’t exactly subtle about the Angra worship. Angra-isms are to be expected, but with Aquiles Priester (Angra) as a feature and a near identical style, why would I ever choose to listen to Auro Control over Angra? These guys themselves love Temple of Shadows and surely know that no mere mimic could ever come close, especially on a first try. Immediately, I’m confused who Auro Control’s target audience is.
The first true track, “Feel the Fire”—I’ll let that sink in… (for those who don’t know, the first track on Temple of Shadows is “Spread Your Fire”)—is bombastic, catchy power metal with choral accents during the chorus, a scream of “FIIIIIIIIIIIIRE” that would make Edu Falaschi (ex-Angra) blush, and some satisfying guitar solos with sugary tones. Auro Control are clearly students and huge fans of Angra, and they’re remarkably accurate at parroting the band’s sound, yet as I mentioned, I’m not sure why I’d listen to this instead of Angra. The Harp suffers from an undynamic production style which takes away lots of the potential pop from the sound, and Lucas de Auro’s vocals, while admirable in range, currently lack the power that is necessary for power/prog, especially when compared to an Edu Falaschi. Making a surprising cameo, Jeff Scott Soto’s (ex-Sons of Apollo) gruff vocals fit in well with the style of “Not Alone” and elevate Auro’s vocals with their stylistic contrast. But in the end, The Harp is Angra with worse production and vocals.
On the instrumental side, however, Auro Control have much more spark, with Thiago Baumgarten on bass and guitarists Diego Pires and Lucas Barnery being absolute studs. The album lacks creativity, but they have a ton of talent—listen to the bass solo on the title track if you need more proof. Even the boring tracks like “Conception” and “Afterglow” are chock full of guitar solos that make my small shred-loving heart full. If Pires and Barney stepped out of the shadow of the perfection of duo Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt and merely used their influence on their style, a sophomore Auro Control album could feasibly be a solid standalone power metal album.
Finally, what separates Angra from Auro Control most is Angra’s superior album structuring and more varied progressive elements. Temple of Shadows alternates between all-time power metal anthems and more slow-moving, adventurous tracks; Auro Control has the speed throttle turned all the way up for the majority of the album barring “Conception” and the incorporation of Brazilian folk elements and fretless bass in closer “Breaking Silence.” These guys sure can play power metal, but I’m craving more variety halfway through. Perhaps this comes with Brazilian heritage influences à la Angra featuring Milton Nascimento or perhaps it’s listening to some Dream Theater—I don’t know their creative process—but what I do know is that The Harp is sorely lacking despite the band’s competence.
Recommended tracks: Spread Your Fire, Temple of Hate, The Shadow Hunter, Wings of Destination, Wishing Well
You may also like: Angra
Final verdict: Angra ÷ 2 = 5/10
Related links: Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page
Label: Rockshots Records – Facebook | Official Website
Auro Control is:
– Thiago Baumgarten (bass)
– Davi Britto (drums)Thiago Baumgarten (bass)
– Diego Pires (guitars)
– Lucas Barnery (guitars)
– Lucas de Ouro (vocals)
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