On February 17th ANGRA began recording their new as-yet-untitled album at Norcal Studios in São Paulo, Brazil, featuring the return of original drummer Ricardo Confessori to the fold. Two video reports from the studio are available below.

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BW&BK; recently received the following Angra-related press release:

Rock House, the leader in music instruction, announced today the release of a new 2-set instructional DVD Creative Fusion, Beyond Pentatonics & Power Chord featuring Brazilian guitar virtuoso Kiko Loureiro. Kiko is the driving force behind the band Angra who has sold millions of CDs and toured the world several times over. Kiko is often voted by magazines and fans as one of the most talented guitar players worldwide. Young Guitar Magazine quotes “His guitar playing is top notch and can be compared to the masters like Vai, Satch and Petrucci. Kiko is a versatile guitar player with a deep knowledge of Rock 'n' Roll, Heavy Metal and Jazz which you can hear in his solos, riffs and melodies.”

In this new 2 DVD set, Kiko helps students open up their musical universe by showing how to apply fusion techniques to Rock playing. Kiko shows students a method for using arpeggios to craft amazing leads and melodies. He starts with major and minor arpeggios and triad voicings and builds them into progressions. Then expands on this concept with major arpeggio extensions adding the 7th and 9th and shows how to complete the mission by delivering full dominant and diminished arpeggios in single and cross string technique. Kiko explains and demonstrates how these all relate as tools for creating a unique musical style. Students learn modal arpeggios and how to apply them over full band backing tracks so they can start creating their own masterpieces!

You can buy the 2 DVD set by clicking here.

Creative Fusion, Beyond Pentatonics & Power Chord is a 2-DVD set with more than 2 hours of lessons with Kiko and extras like behind the scenes photo, a personal interview, iPod ready video, performances and bonus lessons. This Rock House DVD is available around the world for $24.99. The DVD also comes with a FREE lesson booklet and membership to Rock House’s lesson support site at www.RockHouseMethod.com. This feature, exclusive to Rock House and its partners, offers students supplementary support for the lessons featured on the DVD. Once registered, students can interact with the community, utilize the additional learning tools and access the special features.

Rock House products are exclusive distributed by Hal Leonard Corp. To carry this and other Rock House products in your music store, please contact your Hal Leonard Representative at 1-800-524-4425.

Rock House has developed an accelerated yet easy-to-use system of learning that utilizes the functionality of DVD and Print, integrated with the accessibility of the Internet. Aspiring musicians who have a product produced by Rock House receive free membership to www.rockhousemethod.com for 24-7 lesson support. Students use this fully interactive lesson site along with their product to enhance learning, expand their knowledge, link with instructors, and connect with a community of people around the world who are learning to play music using The Rock House Method.