Shaman - Immortal

HinweiseGenre : Power Metal
Country : Brasil
Streetdate : November 2007

São Paulo's SHAMAN is the high profile spin off from the hugely successful
Brazilian Prog Metal band ANGRA. A major split in the ranks saw vocalist André
Matos and the ryhthm section of bassist Luis Mariutti and drummer Ricardo
Confessori all decamping in 2000. Matos began work on a solo project billed as
VIRGO in Germany. Whilst in Europe Matos would also front the ProgMetal union
LOOKING GLASS SELF conceived by the erstwhile SIEGES EVEN trio of guitarist
Marcus Steffan, bass player Oliver Holzwarth and drummer Alex Holzwarth. The
singer contributed to a 2000 demo 'Equinox' before bowing out and turning his
attention to SHAMAN.

In May 2002 SHAMAN keyboard player Fabio Ribeiro issued the second album from
his BLEZQI ZATSAZ solo project entitled 'The Tide Turns'. The album included
guests such as SHAMAN guitar player Hugo Mariutti, ANGRA guitarist Kiko
Loureiro, and DR. SIN guitarist Edu Ardanuy. It would not be the only such
endeavour on the agenda, as Andre Matos participated in ABYDOS, a Progressive
Rock assembly put together by producer Stefan Glas also including vocalist
Andy Kuntz and drummer Andreas Lill of VANDEN PLAS and ELEGY singer IAN PARRY.
The singer would also put in a guest showing on fellow Brazilian act SAGGA's
'Planetude' album.

SHAMAN's debut would be scheduled at the close of July through the Italian
Lucretia label for European territories whilst major label Universal took the
band on for South America. Brazilian headline dates commenced on August 21st
in Porto Alegre. Luis Mariutti joined the ranks of HENCEFORTH in March of
2003.

SHAMAN signed to Germany's AFM Records in early 2004 for a new album. As part
of this deal the debut record saw a March re-release, this version also adding
bonus DVD material. Fans attending the 20th November SHAMAN show in Martin,
Slovalkia received a pleasant surprise when MASTERPLAN guitarist ROLAND GRAPOW
guested on stage, featuring on 'Pride' and a cover of JUDAS PRIEST's 'Breaking
The Law'. SHAMAN recordings in early 2005 would include a cover version of THE
SISTERS OF MERCY Gothic classic 'More'. In February the band announced a
subtle name switch to SHAAMAN for the May release of second opus 'Reason' in
May.

In October 2006 an official announcement to fan club members revealed SHAAMAN,
apparently due to "personal and musical differences", had folded. André Matos
unveiled his first solo recording, the song 'Rio', in November.

André Matos crafted a debut solo album, produced by Roy Z and Sascha Paeth,
between November 2006 and February 2007, recording at Ultra Sonica and
Brainless Brothers Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and at Gate Studio in
Wolfsburg, Germany.

It transpired shortly afterwards that SHAAMAN had in fact come circle and
taken back the title SHAMAN, this unit involving KARMA vocalist Thiago
Bianchi, SUNSARAH guitarist Léo Mancini, bassist Fernando Quesada and drummer
Ricardo Confessori. AFM Records issued the album 'Immortal'. The release is
scheduled for November 2007.