July 4th, 2020 - Looking At The Fireworks Through An American Haze

Happy Independence Day to all my U.S. readers and happy Saturday rockers, rollers, and hop heads!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here today rocking the hell out to a pairing of  a Voodoo Ranger American Haze Hazy Session IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company and Angra's classic "Fireworks" album!

Album Info:

• Artist: Angra
• Title: "Fireworks"
• Recorded: April to June 1998 at Metropolis and Rainmaker Studios, London, England 
  Release date: July 14th, 1998 (3rd studio album by Angra)
• Record company: Steamhammer Records / Century Media Music
• Production: Antonio D. Pirani and the late, great Chris Tsangarides
• Album cover art: Isabel de Amorim
• Personnel: Rafael Bittencourt (guitars), Ricardo Confessori (drums), Kiko Loureiro (guitars), Luís Mariutti (bass), and the late, great Andre Matos (vocals)
• Musical style: Progressive metal, power metal
• Sound: With more of a neo-classical metal sound, with "Fireworks", Angra abandoned their more experimental and Brazilian rhythms found on their first two albums.  Characterized by soaring and fiery dual guitars by Bittencourt and Loureiro, Confessori's and Mariutti's powerful rhythm work, and Matos' incredible and beautiful vocal acrobatics, Angra's "Fireworks" is a true progressive power metal classic! 
• Major themes: Life, discovery, adventure, love, knowledge, mythology, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Wings Of Reality"
2. "Petrified Eyes"
3. "Lisbon"
4. "Metal Icarus"
5. "Paradise"
6. "Mystery Machine"
7. "Fireworks"
8. "Extreme Dream"
9. "Gentle Change"
10. "Speed"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Website: https://www.newbelgium.com/
• Brew: Voodoo Ranger American Haze Hazy Session IPA
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 30
• Ingredients: Strata Amarillo, and HBC 522 hops with Pale, Munich, C20, and Malted Oats
• Pour: The Voodoo Ranger American Haze pours a very hazy golden-orange amber with a bright white, 1+finger head that dissipates to a thin cap with sticky, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, and slightly malty.  There are aromas of orange, tangerine, grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, and a touch of caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Voodoo Ranger American Haze follows the nose with lots of juicy, citrusy, fruity flavors.  There are notes of orange juice and zest, orange soda, grapefruit juice, tangerine, mango, guava, cereal grain, and light honey.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp, juicy, and refreshing with a clean, dry finish.

Overall pairing: The citrusy aromas and flavors and the overall crushability of  the Voodoo Ranger American Haze make for an excellent pairing with Matos' amazing vocals, Bittencourt's and Loureiro's phenomenal soaring guitar riffs, and the wonderfully intricate and rhythmic bass and drums of Confessori and Mariutti!  'Nuff said!

 Saude and hails my friends... listen to some Angra today!  R.I.P. André Matos (2019) and Chris Tsangarides (2018)!!