Angel’s Fire is a Symphonic Metal band from Recife, Brazil. The band has been around for more than 10 years. Their first full-length album “O Conto” has been independently released in the beginning of this year.
The band writes on their Facebook profile: Our goal is to enchant and promote imaginary tales that lead people to reflect the greatness of the creator.
To get to know these guys a little bit better, check out the following chat we recently had with them.
TMR: Hey guys this is The Metal Resource from Holland, how are things going there in Brazil ?
As always, a beautiful sunny day. In a preparatory period to the presidential elections.
TMR: Will you Introduce yourself and the band please !
Angel’s Fire consists of 5 members, they are:
Priscilla Lira: Vocal
Israel Lira: Guitar (Leader of the band)
Italo Liano: Keyboards
Saymo Robert: Bass
André Lima: Drums
TMR: How did you get into metal?
Israel Lira: Interaction with Metal started when I was 8 years old (1997), as most of the time, I was influenced at the Hard Rock and Metal by my older brother (I think it was the best thing he has done for me (laughs) ), I was pleased to hear the bands Stratovarius, Helloween, among others. 2002 was the first tyear of my first contact with Metal Sinfonico style.
Priscila Lira: I met metal music in 2000 in the church I attended. My uncle introduced me to a pleasant sound labeled as Hard Rock through Petra, and my interest for this stlye has grown more and more. My first contact with Symphonic Metal was in 2004, when I met Israel Lira.
Saymo Robert: I remember I met rock music when I was 12 (2000), a friend of mine showed me some bands, and then I started watching MTV shows, and had access to other bands, I always liked more Hard rock and more agressive styles. That’s when I first met Metallica and other thrash metal bands.
Italo Liano: My first contact with Rock, influenced by MTV in 2000, at this same time I already knew Saymo and we used to chat about the bands we watched there on MTV. But my first contact with Symphonic metal was with my friends, when we played RPG, I remember listening to Rhapsody Of Fire.
André Lima: I was born in a conservative Christian family, my musical background was very traditional. Through some good friends I had contact with Metal music. I was always eclectic regarding this style and I started listening to several branches of Hard Rock/Metal at 12.
TMR: What is your musical background ?
Israel Lira: Since I was 8 when I was listening to a guitar solo, I used to mimic the guitarist playing. 2003 was the year when I met the sweet, beautiful guitar from the church that I used to attend at that time (I current attend to another Christian congregation). After knowing the main parts of a guitar I became to self studying using magazines and video classes from great guitarists like Kiko Loureiro and Yngwie Malmsteen. Fast forward, I dedicated myself to study musical theory and practice. Alongside metal music, my greatest influence comes from orchestral music, movie soundtracks (Pirates of The Caribbean, Lord Of The Rings, Alice In Wonderland, among others), and Folk.
Priscila Lira: Music has always been something spiritual and enchanting to me. Since my existence I attend to church, and at the age of 7 (1995) I began to sing in the church that I attended to. 2003 was the year I met Israel Lira at my church and I was already studying guitar and singing. In 2004 Israel introduced me to great Symphonic Metal bands, I was surprised by the style and began to study the voice timbres more. In 2006 he was already starting the symphonic metal band project, and made me a proposal to sing in Angel’s Fire band where I fell in love with the idea of musical style and accepted the proposal.
Saymo Roberto: I have a varied taste in music, I always liked a more aggressive sound, but the sound of the Hard Rock makes me very calm and happy. I try to blend the two quite a bit so it doesn’t affect my performance in the band. My childhood was in the middle of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), I always wanted to play the guitar and it was at age 14 that I started playing it. My first contact with the style I play today was at school with Israel Lira, who was already starting the Angel’s Fire Band. I migrated my studies to bass in 2005, then I entered the conservatory where I spent 3 years studying, and in parallel to that I picked the bass guitar in the band and until this day I just can’t drop it.
Italo Liano: I had contact with the keyboard when I was a child, but I pressed as if it were a toy, because I did not understand anything. I just came to commit myself to learning and having total contact, months before my entrance into the band. Since I was a kid, my father influenced me with other styles of music, and I remember him saying “imagine me singing and you playing the keyboard?”. I tried the guitar, but I saw that it was not for me. So I thought if one day I would learn to play some instrument, it would be keyboard or drums. My dad was right on the keyboard (LOL)… I just started studying piano in 2005 when I heard about Angel’s Fire. Israel Lira waited for Saymo and I had to have a good knowledge on our instruments (where we entered a music school in Pernambuco and studied for 3 years).
André Lima: When I entered the world of music my contact was with progressive music, heavy metal, blues, modern jazz, classical music. I studied music at a municipal music school in the year 2000 to 2003, musical theory and the drums. I met the band Angel’s Fire in 2006, when Israel Lira and all the members began to attend to the same church that I am part of (Comunidade Extrema Unção, Recife – Pernambuco). I liked the project and we started a path that has kept us together until today.
TMR: Tell us the brief history of Angel’s Fire.
Angel’s Fire officially started its activities in 2007 in the city of Recife – Pernambuco.
We were friends long before the band emerged, we met in childhood and puberty, where we studied in the same school, practiced physical education, played the same games of RPG and others, and in adolescence we got to attend the same church (’til today), we were no longer just friends, but brothers. I (Israel Lira) always had a love for music, and in 2006 decided to create a symphonic metal band, where his childhood friends heard the idea and made a very special surprise, they dedicated themselves to music too and joined Angel’s Fire.
Our goal is to enchant and promote imaginary tales that lead people to reflect the greatness of the Creator.
TMR: Why the name Angel Fire ? Is there a story behind it ?
Angel’s Fire came into existence when everyone knew the Creator of everything. “Fire” has as its vision the purification and renewal of soul and spirit, and the heavenly being “Angel’s” helps us on this path of renewal.
TMR: Who writes the music/lyrics in Angel Fire ? … how do you get in the mood for writing music? And which bands/situations have influenced you for writing music and lyrics ?
All the compositions involving lyrics, orchestras, instrumental and melodies referring to the album “O contos” were made by me (Israel Lira). Except some lyrics, by the vocalist – Priscilla Lira (Lyrics: Angel of Light and My Desire).My composition is usually made at night, where silence takes over my soul, where all my knowledge about a certain theme is erected and transformed into music. Some inspirations come from musical influences, studies on physics and puzzles that connect to God.
TMR: What are some key principles or phylosophies that you hold onto as foundational stones as who you are as a person?
Israel Lira: I always say that “knowledge is the key to unlock the door of the imagination”. In everything you do, you always have to keep what is good, and always transmit knowledge to everyone, because everyone has the right to think.
Priscilla Lira: May the will of God be done, for his grace is sufficient for me.
Saymo Robert: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for those who approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” I always try to have this thought in everything I am going to do; His is the streingth that keeps us standing.
Italo Liano: Everyday life always has something to teach us. I hold what is good, I respect the space of each one. I create goals without creating as much expectation but always persisting, even if it lasts its time.
André Lima: I have the Christian ethics as my life value. And that every human being should be respected as equal.
TMR: Is there a highlight you will always remember, since the beginning of Angel’s Fire ?
Israel Lira: It’s hard to tell that, because I remember several ones. At the beginning of the band, we played in a church (I do not remember the name of the church), but when we finished playing, there was a little 6 year old girl who came to me and asked me to get down to her height, and said “The sound of your band is beautiful. God bless you always. ” I was very happy for the beautiful words of that little girl.
Priscila Lira: We participated in a big concert together with the bands Metal Nobre and Soul Factor, after leaving the stage the vocalist JT of Metal Noble, spoke – “You sang very well, I understood every melody and word you sang, Congratulations! ”
Saymo Robert: There are several good things that have happened to us over these long years, to highlight one is even a little unfair to the others.
I remember a show that we did, and the drums of the event were moving forward, and that was making the drummer difficult, and a great friend of ours, got down on his knees holding the drums until the end of the show, every time he looked back he was amazed by that wonderful gesture.
Italo Liano: I’m not sure what the show was about, but almost at the beginning when the band had not played enough shows for everyone to follow the lyrics, and we did not have an album recorded, there was a moment when I heard people singing in chorus the Guardian song, but when I looked at them I saw no movement from their mouths and I began to wonder where those voices came from. Maybe some excitement of mine, I do not know (LOL)!
André Lima: A show in another state… we arrived at the place and before playing we were talking with the people that were in the entrance, and in a moment they spontaneously told us that we were humble and attentive.
TMR: And the worst thing were ? (if there is one)
Israel Lira: I don’t remember, because I always take it as a lesson learned.
Priscila Lira: We were back from a gig in another state. Suddenly a dog appeared right in the middle of the road, we couldn’t deviate from it and we all almost got into a car accident (I gave thanks to God).
Saymo Robert: Each gig teaches us something new, I use to learn from my mistakes and I always try not to repeat them.
In a show we did in Recife (Pernambuco, Brazil), even with all these years with the band, on this day I was tense, and made the mistake of talking about this to the vocalist, who also ended up getting tense. But then everything went well (laughs)!
Italo Liano: In one of the shows, in an instrumental part which has no keyboard, I went to the front of the stage headbanging and propped his foot on one of the ARC speakers, but the speaker almost flipped over and I got a tad unbalanced, I almost fell into the audience, but I could steady myself and thankfully something serious didn’t happen.
André Lima: Making a trip to an event in another city, the car overheated engine and had to stop on the road at night.
TMR: What is your favorite drink and food
Israel Lira:
Favorite drink: Water.
Favorite Food: rump skirt steak
Priscilla will:
Drink: Orange Juice
Food: Sweet Pies
Saymo Robert:
Favorite Drink: Mango juice
Favorite Food: Yakisoba and Barbecue.
Italo Liano:
Drink: Milk
Food: Lasagna
André Lima:
Drink: Coffee
Couscous with coconut milk.
TMR: So what makes you laugh?
Israel Lira: When I talk to everyone in the band. There’s no more people in high spirits I know like them… hahaha
Priscilla Lira: Especially when the band is reunited.
Saymo Robert: When I am very tense I see some videos of stand up comedy, and when the band is reunited a lot of laughter are distributed.
Italo Liano: Many things. I laugh so easily!
André Lima: Being with people I cherish.
TMR: What is your biggest fear ?
Israel Lira: For some reason, do not touch any more musical instruments, especially guitars.
Priscilla Lira: Losing all the good that I could in life.
Saymo Roberto: I have two passions. First: is playing. The second: riding my motorcycle. I’m so afraid something happens to me and I become no longer able to do any of them.
Italo Liano: that everything I plan does not get right.
André Lima: not being able to give to my son what he needs.
TMR: What is the last album you bought?
Israel Lira: Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful.
Priscila Lira: Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful.
Saymo Robert: Metallica- Hardwired… To Self-Destruct
Italo Liano: Rhapsody of Fire – Triumph or Agony
André Lima: Symphony X – Paradise Lost
TMR: What are some of the things you like to do away from the band?
Israel Lira: Studying to understand how everything works, plan new projects (nothing related to music), watch movies with a good role, travelling and gaming with friends.
Priscila Lira: Watch movies, read books and travel to know new places and their histories.
Saymo Robert: Travelling on my motorcycle, to study, play a good game and spent a time with my family.
Italo Liano: Photography and filming.
André Lima: Ride a motorcycle, play guitar with a small group, browse on web, play with my son.
TMR: Speaking of recording, what can you tell us about your debut album “O Conto” [such as the recording process, the songs/lyrics, record label etc.]
Oh, it’s very gratifying. All my feeling and ideas are in every note and melody of this album. Honestly, I did not think the reaction to the album’s debut was so positive and engaging. Very proud to see the band gaining space on European, Asian and American sites, and also being broadcast on radio from the United States and Italy. This release was so good that we got good friendships, one of them being the Partnership with the “Asseria Lex Metalis Assessoria e agenciamento” – https://www.facebook.com/LexMetalisAA/.
Undoubtedly, the motivation is so great that I’m already composing the second album; it will be different from the first album “O Conto” (The Tale, in English), but it will not cease to be fanciful, symphonic and heavy.
The recording process was well detailed, with a lot of focus where everyone gave their full attention to the recording. “O conto” was recorded between 2016 and 2017 in Mr. Prog’s studio, with production by Israel Lira and Nenel Lucena, mixing / mastering by Mr. Prog studio. The album features 11 tracks composed by the beautiful and charming Symphonic Metal. Some songs have the participation of musician Nenel Lucena (Bride, N.O.G) in two tracks, vocal participation in “Meu Desejo” and guitar solos along with Israel Lira in “Angel’s Fire”.
TMR: About the cover artwork. Do you think it is as important as your music? Does it visualize the lyrics of your songs or what’s the actual story behind its concept?
Yes, of course! A good cover is very important on an album. When people buy an album from a band, the cover is the first contact they have, they associate the style of the band through the cover and create a pleasant expectation in the songs they will listen to. The cover art from “O Conto” transmits fragments of all the songs from the album and shows a meaning from another perspective, which is the visual. The cover has a few puzzles, one of them is – The clock hand in the window, pointing to the owl, It means: The event on the cover is being 3 am, which also represents the trinity – God father, God son and Holy Spirit, and the owl represents balance and wisdom. The other puzzles, I let you unveil (hahaha).
TMR: How do you promote your band and shows ?
The main network to promote our work is Facebook. But we are also in Instagram and Youtube. We are planning to get our official website.
TMR: Tell us about the hardrock/metal scene in your area please?
The scene in Pernambuco has improved a lot with the advent of new bands and the union that all them provide. Not to mention the opportunity to play with bands that at that time we only listened to the CD, and today, we share the same stage.
The crowd is always very motivated and energetic, that makes us proud to play in our land.
TMR: How do you prepare for a show?
Israel Lira: Usually I make a checklist of everything the band needs and then I confirm if everything’s okay.
A few hours before we start the show I listen to song from the same style of our band, and then I meet all the members of the band so we can talk.
Priscila Lira: I listen to songs from the band and other bands before entering the stage, I concentrate a lot on the show.
Saymo Robert: On the show, I try not to wear myself with heavy things,so my performance will be 100% focused.
Italo Liano: I watch live videos from bands from our same style. Then I can enter the show atmosphere.
André Lima: I listen to the songs, I try to know the structure of the place, the sound and drums equipment and alike.
TMR: What is your favorite song to play live?
Israel Lira: is a difficult question to answer, because I like all the songs, but I can say that the song “Meu Desejo” attracts me more.
Priscilla Lira: “Novo Reino”, I like the sung melody.
Saymo Robert: All the music of Angel’s Fire has a different feeling, and the favorite music for me to play is “Sacrifice”.
Italo Liano: “Angel of Light”, ’cause it’s usually the first, I start the show so excited! I take advantage of the first energies.
André Lima: “Guardião”, its symphony attracts me.
TMR: What is your favorite concert that you saw and what made it so good?
Israel Lira: All the shows I attended were very nice, but seeing Narnia was something spiritual.
Priscilla Lira: Nightwish, the sincerity of the members on stage was something to think about.
Saymo Robert: Certainly the show performed by Narnia.
Italo Liano: I can not set one, however, there was some shows that I thought it would go wrong, but really surprised me, everything went right. So each one brings me a little different experience from the other.
André Lima: Show of Stryper, they transmit peace through their music.
TMR: What is the most embarrassing music on your phone or in your collection and how do you justify it to others?
Lira Israel: Not only from Metal the man lives (hahaha) … Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead, besides being a fan of hard rock, this song is part of a series that I love called – Supernatural.
Priscilla Lira: There are many songs, but like Classic Rock, like Phil Collins and Journey.
Saymo Robert: A: I like listening to MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), not something that is embarrassing, and has not so much justification.
Italo Liano: I have several tunes. It’s very difficult to choose just one, it also depends on my emotional moment. But I can’t deny that you will find electronic music (Dance and Trance) on my phone (LOL)
André Lima: Luiz Gonzaga – “Xote Ecológico”. I was born in a region rich in culture, so I like this song.
TMR: If you could pick a band to tour with, who would it be? And where would the tour go?
Israel Lira: I would be honored it it were with the band Nightwish tour in Europe (especially in the land of 1000 Lakes, Finland).
Priscilla Lira: Certainly with Nightwish tour in Europe.
Saymo Robert: I wanted to have the opportunity to share the stage with the great Metallica in Mexico.
Italo Liano: It’d be a great pleasure with the band Sonata Arctica tour in Europe.
André Lima: Epica touring Europe.
TMR: What is the dumbest question you have ever been asked
Israel Lira: All questions are valid. The strangest one was “Are you guys a White Metal band?” (the answer was ‘No! We’re a Symphonic Metal band).
Priscila Lira: If the bass player is my brother (LOL)
Saymo Robert: If the singer is my sister! hahaha
Italo Liano: Nobody ever asked me something stupid.
André Lima: “What do you like to do when you do nothing?”
TMR: What are the biggest obstacles for bands ?
I’m so happy that everyone in Angel’s Fire was in the right way. As from other bands, I realize how hard is to find members who are committed and have the same goals and study musical instruments.
TMR: As a band today, what do you think is the biggest challenge you face?
Thinking of new compositions for a great album which pleases as many people as it can.
TMR: What are the plans for the near future (Upcoming shows, touring ?)
There already are proposals for shows out of state and the country, but we are focused for the release of lyric video and music videos, where soon we will tell what will be the album’s music for the clip.
TMR: Thank you guys for your time and the interview. We wish Angel’s Fire all the best … Is there anything you wanna say at last ?
Thanks to God from the bottom of our hearts, and to all of you who support us on this delightful path. Hopefully we’ll be in the Netherlands soon. See ya!!
Studio albums/EPs:
“Guardião” (EP, 2011)
“Meu Desejo” (single, 2013)
“O Conto” (full-length, 2018) [review]
Weblinks: Facebook / iTunes / Deezer / Spotify
Video for “O Conto” (Entire Album)