Holy Land is the second album by Brazilian
metal band
Angra. It is a
concept album whose theme is centered on the
Brazilian land by the time it was discovered in the 16th century (from a European perspective), as depicted in the art surrounding the album release. Once fully opened, the cover illustration turns out to be an old 15th-century map. Title track "Holy Land" contains many
indigenous and
folkloric influences taken from Brazilian music, but also includes classical arrangements symbolizing Europe at the time.
The opening track "Crossing" features a rendition of O Crux Ave by
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. The following songs deal with life in the "holy land" prior to its colonization by the Portuguese and subsequent changes Brazil underwent upon their arrival.
According to drummer
Ricardo Confessori, the track "Nothing to Say" was developed around a drum riff he created around 1994 at a small rural property owned by guitarist
Rafael Bittencourt.[4] His band mates heard it and soon joined in to create the rest of the song, including the single-note opening riff.[4]