Bei den Bombast Metallern ANGRA hat sich das Besetzungskarussel ein wenig zu heftig gedreht und gleich drei Bandmitglieder von den Sitzen gehauen: Sänger Andre Matos, Bassist Luis Mariutti und Drummer Ricardo Confessori haben aufgrund der berühmten persönlichen Differenzen das Handtuch geworfen. Die verbliebenen Gitarristen Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro wollen allerdings unter dem Namen ANGRA weiter machen, sind auf der Suche nach neuen Mitstreitern und schreiben schon eifrig Songs für`s kommende Studioalbum. Die offizielle Erklärung der beiden gibt`s hier (allerdings nur im englischen O-Ton)…
Dear Friends,
This has been a tough moment. We feel sorry for what`s happening and for the involvement of so many people, even though we still believe things will be sorted out. We’re not here to judge the attitude of our former bandmates. All we can do is communicate the facts from our perspective. We have recently been notified of their decision to “abandon the ship.” Troubles? We would be lying if we denied their existence. We have some administrative problems, which are already being solved accordingly. The group members had different views about the way to face such problems. Some were thinking about solutions that could bring better results for the group; the others gave up and left. After nine years, we do think its pretty natural to have problems. Very strange it would be if there weren`t! What hurts us the most is the fact that we didn`t build enough of a bond among ourselves to face them together, as adults. We truly believed that no disagreement should harm the important body of work we had built together. Due to that, we were excluded from all decisions of the band since the end of last year. They simply refused to listen to what we had to say, which was the importance of the five sticking together. There are always good chances of a satisfactory conclusion. When we talk, we show respect for the different opinions.
Unfortunately, in this case, there was neither talking nor respect! We feel for the fans and for all of those who are in some way involved with us. Why force the fans to divide their feelings among the members? Why is it so hard to accept that people sometimes do have different opinions? Discussions always lead us to good conclusions and evolution. We won`t spit on the Angra name, throwing it away as if it was an old toy. For us, it`s all about moral principles, professionalism and respect to the fans.
We are ready for our future and to give to our fans another part of our hearts and souls. Everyone in this band, with no exceptions, has made mistakes of the same proportion throughout the years. After all, we are human beings and perfection will never be a human gift. But all of us should be ready to accept our own mistakes. By doing so, we`re moving forward into a new era. Renewed, stronger and re-structured. The essence of what Angra was resided in the chemistry between the five members, not within one, two or three. But the love of the fans is the seed and we shall continue sowing it in the fertile grounds of good music, watering it with our passion for our duties. We wish all the best for our friends, and hope one day this moment of madness can be left behind in favor of all the special moments we`ve been through together. Thank you all very much for the support that has been given to us this far.
Kindly,
Rafael Bittencourt and Kiko Loureiro