Rafael Bittencourt is the founding guitarist of the band Angra , one of the biggest names in Brazilian metal worldwide. The band has been constantly active since 2013, without taking any breaks for vacations or rest. Therefore, the musicians announced on September 2nd that they will be going on hiatus.
There was much speculation from fans about a possible return of the band's third guitarist, Kiko Loureiro . However, Rafael recently explained the truth behind the announcement.
In a video posted on October 18, 2024, on the band's official Instagram, Bittencourt said, according to a transcript (via Whiplash! ), that the band's hiatus should last 2 to 3 years and that, during this period, they will not work on new compositions: "We will not write songs or compose albums at this time. Maybe we'll do some special shows to celebrate some anniversaries or albums, but, to comfort your hearts, it will not be a definitive break," said the guitarist.
On another occasion, guitarist Marcelo Barbosa informed fans that the decision to go on hiatus was consensual among the members, as they need a break to dedicate themselves to other projects and rest from Angra's intense schedule of shows and recordings.
READ ALSO: Angra announces pause in activities: "We feel it's time to stop"