Angra
Best Reached Horizons

February 2013
Released: 2012, Steamhammer
Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewer: JP

Early in the year can be a bit of a slower time for releases and I’m going to take the time to get through a bit of a backlog of five releases that in my estimation are not quite as important, but still worth discussing for the fans. I’m speaking specifically of a batch of five, double-disc compilations (Collections, Greatest Hits, Best of’s, contractual obligation albums, whatever you want to call them) by some veteran Metal bands; specifically Angra, Circle II Circle, Evergrey, Fair Warning and Royal Hunt. I’ll be blunt, I only have the digital copies of these collections. Everyone knows the true value of these types of collections is found in the presentation (packaging, essays, liner notes, photos etc) and of course, the amount of rare or unreleased material such has new songs, live songs, rare songs, bonus videos or even DVD’s. So, in one sense, these quick reviews are incomplete, public service announcements because I’m only basing these reviews on the digital copies. Please enjoy all the five reviews in this mini-feature but take into account my rating is not necessarily just for the music but the execution of what is essentially re-releasing old songs.



This two-hour, 20 song double disc is celebrating the bands 20th anniversary. The title is a bit odd and the cover is a mix of images from their previous albums. There are no new or unreleased songs on the entire set, which is disappointing. They do include one rare track, their version of ‘Kashmir’ that appeared on a Locomotive Records tribute to Led Zeppelin released back in 2002. The band does have a few rarities floating around so those could have been included.



There is good representation of the bands entire career which is a major bonus. I hate those compilations that only focus on a specific record label. BEST REACHED HORIZONS is nicely designed running chronologically with the first disc featuring the Matos era (3 studio albums) and the second disc features the Falaschi era (4 studio albums).



The track breakdown is as follows.



ANGELS CRY (4 songs)

HOLY LAND (2 songs)

HOLY LIVE (1 song)

FREEDOM CALL EP (1 song)

FIREWORKS (2 songs)

REBIRTH (2 songs)

HUNTERS AND PREY EP (1 song)

TEMPLE OF SHADOWS (2 songs)

AURORA CONSURGENS (2 songs)

AQUA (2 songs)

Led Zeppelin Tribute (1 song)



For a die-hard fan, this collections adds nothing, however for a fan who is not familiar with this band, this a great way to start your collection because Angra is a fantastic band.