Alfa Serenar – Cobra Sofia e Outras Lendas Amazônicas (Progshine Records, 2022)
Cobra Sofia and Other Amazonian Legends is the third album by Alfa Serenar, the project of Rafael Senra. Recorded in 2021 and released in 2022 by Progshine Records, the album includes four tracks inspired by various Amazonian myths. Although not a concept album, each track evokes a different legend.
Rafael Senra led the project and played multiple instruments, accompanied by Forlan Gomes on drums and Betânia Hernandez on violins. Musically, this is highly enjoyable symphonic progressive rock characterized by warm lead and harmony vocals in Portuguese, majestic Mellotron passages, Brazilian traditional music influences, and western chamber music. You will also find creative solo bass, acoustic guitars, mesmerizing ambient music moments, and exquisite electric guitar and synth solos.
The title track, “Cobra Sofia,” is a twenty-minute epic based on the legend of a snake, believed to be the daughter of an Indian and a dolphin, who charted the Matapi River’s course.
“Uirapuru” tells the story of a dead Indian transformed into a bird to enchant his lover. “Mapinguari” is an instrumental track that conveys the eerie presence of a mythical Amazonian creature. The final track, “Cerimônia,” is a tribute to the natural beauty of Northern Brazil.
Musicians: Rafael Senra on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, keyboards; Forlan Gomes on drums (tracks 1, 4); and Betânia Hernandez on violins.