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Angra's Edu Falaschi has
recently spread his wings and brought forth his own project Almah.
Today he provides us with an insight into the band and his thoughts behind
the music he has strived to create.
MM - First of all thanks for taking the time out from what I'm sure
is a busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Edu
- Thank you for the opportunity!!!.
MM - The new album and project Almah is just outstanding. And what a
line-up, how did you manage to get such a band together in the first
place?
Edu -
I met them a long time ago during some of Angra's touring schedule and
we've become friends since then. I recorded the drums in the USA
with Casey, guitars and bass in Finland and the rest in Brazil. It
was quite easy really; I'm very organized and I love travelling.
MM - The album itself is more melodic metal than any of
the Angra albums; was this a deliberate attempt to sway away from the
Angra sound and create your own sound?
Edu -
Yes! I wanted to make it totally
different to Angra. More modern, simpler and heavier, but still
sophisticated. Something where the music is more important that the
musicians.
MM - I see you not only wrote but also produced and arranged the album,
did you want total control of the whole project to make sure you got the
album the way you wanted it?
Edu -
Yes! You're right. I had
everything in my mind and I wanted to keep it that way. But I also
left all the musicians very free to play the way they like because that
produced great dynamics across the whole. Producers are every
important, but sometimes they kill the spontaneity.
MM
- Of all the different challenges in writing and producing, singing and
arranging, what gave you the most satisfaction when you heard the final
product?
Edu - Everything's very
different really! It's hard to say! Different moments and
feelings. when I hear the album, I feel it's pure and natural.
Without pressure. The songs are flying free. All the musicians
put their soul into it. Sometimes people tell me that 'Almah' sounds
more like a band than other real bands, yet it's a solo project. It
was made with a great deal of love and soul and to me, it shows though!
MM - Of all the tracks on the album, what are your favourites and why?
Edu - I love them all, but I
really like 'Breathe'. If I had to pick a favourite then, maybe
that?
MM - If you had the opportunity to take Almah on the
road would you try to get the artists who appear on the album for this?
Edu - Of course, and we hope
to do this for sure! They are fantastic musicians and you'd always
want people like that to play your music! But if I can't because
people are working, whatever, I will invite other friends out! I
really want to do this!
MM - The meaning of the word Almah can be interpreted many ways; one being
"fresh stage of life", is this how you see the band?
Edu - Yes! Almah is
a Hebrew word that means "Purity", "Virgin". In Greek it means "A
great step in your life", in Portuguese and Spanish it sounds like the
word for "Soul". There are many good and positive meanings!!!
MM - The album takes as its
concept one of a universe whose planets are our own feelings ..., how did
you come up with the whole concept?
Edu - I wanted to talk about human
feelings. But I didn't want to seem selfish or on a ego-trip by
doing so. I hate that. I visualized the whole idea as a
universe that means "Us" with many planets that mean "Our Feelings".
Everybody is free to decide where they're gonna develop themselves, I
mean, which planet or feeling they're gonna feed. And to express
each felling I use some facts from our history. For example, when
talking about freedom I told the story of Martin Luther King.
Betrayal, Tutenkhamoun.
MM -
Brazil has always been a hot bed of the whole metal
scene, why do you think this is so?
Edu - Maybe it's a
reflection on the way our country is? People didn't have any real
access to imported stuff and ideas at the beginning so our music was
always highly individual, and the Brazilian guys really support anything
that comes from abroad because it's so different to their own. Angra
is Brazilian but we can say that it virtually came from abroad as well
because our music is so different? The second reason could be
because Brazilian people, basically are Latin and very happy most of the
time.
MM - Angra have just announced a European tour for this year, what cities
are you particularly looking forward to playing?
Edu - I loved playing Russia
for the first time, so it will be nice to go back there. Then, I
love Italy, France and Spain as well.
MM - Are their any plans to visit the UK either with Angra or Almah in the
near future?
Edu - I really hope so. I've played one concert with Angra in
London up 'til now, and I was very surprised. The audience was
amazing, so let's see?
MM - What do you hope the future holds for both Almah and Angra?
Edu - Making music! and more music!
MM - Finally have you any words of wisdom for all your fans out there?
Edu -
Thank you very much for all the
support!!! I hope to see you soon, my friends!!!
MM - We'd like to thank Edu for taking the time to chat with us today.
If you haven't already heard the new Almah album then we'd highly
recommend you check it out. |
