Fireworks

Fireworks is the third studio album by Brazilian metal icons Angra, serving as the final recording to feature the founding 'classic' lineup of Andre Matos, Luís Mariutti, and Ricardo Confessori before a major internal fracture. Recorded in London at prestigious locations including Abbey Road Studios, the album marked a significant shift in the band's sonic identity. While their previous effort, Holy Land, was celebrated for its integration of Brazilian regional music and tribal percussion, Fireworks largely abandoned these elements in favor of a more traditional European power metal sound infused with symphonic arrangements and 1970s hard rock influences. The production by Chris Tsangarides (known for his work with Judas Priest) brought a more organic, analog warmth to the guitars. Despite internal tensions during the sessions, the album is regarded as a high-water mark for melodic metal in the 1990s, blending progressive complexity with accessible, anthemic songwriting.