One of the Greatest Brazilian Heavy Metal Vocalists Dies Age 47

By Richard Mann

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – André Matos, former vocalist and one of the founders of the Brazilian metal band Angra, died yesterday, June 8th. The musician was 47 and the victim of a heart attack, confirm friends.

The death was confirmed by drummer Ricardo Confessori and bassist Luis Mariutti, also former members of Angra, in a note signed by the band and released on social networks. The musicians were currently on a tour with the Shaman, a band the singer started after splitting with Angra in 2000.

Edu Falaschi, who took over Angra’s vocals after Andre Matos’ departure, lamented his death. “It is with great surprise and regret that I received the news of André Matos’ death. A day that will go down in history by recording one of the most impressive losses for the world of heavy metal, my most sincere condolences to his family and his bandmates.”

André had performed last Sunday at Espaço das Américas, in São Paulo. The singer Tobias Sammet, leader of the Avantasia project, joining members of various metal bands, posted a photo of the meeting. “Family reunion with the incredible André Matos,” the German wrote at the time.

André Matos began his career as a teenager in the ’80s, with the band Viper. In 1991, he founded Angra with his college friends, guitarists Rafael Bittencourt, and André Linhares.

He left Angra in 2000, after an argument with the managers and Rafael Bittencourt, continuing until today with other members. In 2016, the argument generated two distinct tours to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album “Holy Land”.

After leaving Angra, he founded the Shaman, alongside bassist Luis Mariutti and drummer Ricardo Confessori, who had also left Angra. The original line-up lasted until 2006, and since 2007 the singer has pursued a solo career.

In 2018, the Shaman returned with its original formation for a commemorative tour. The band was performing since September last year with André Matos on vocals, Hugo Mariutti on guitar, Luis Mariutti on bass and Ricardo Confessori on drums.

The Shaman had a scheduled performance in Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, in the countryside of São Paulo, on July 13th, International Rock Day.