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'Temple
of Shadows' is the fifth album release of Brazilian melodic power
metallers Angra. It sees them go full out on this release
combining traditional Brazilian music and full on guitars and bounding
drums. They've also brought that classical music feel to the whole
album, which together with the inclusion of several guest artists,
complements the whole package. And WOW! what a package it is!
Although with this release the band have gone for a faster paced guitar
sound than they have perhaps used in previous releases, they certainly
haven't lost any of that melodic feel to their music. A task that
many bands would indeed find hard to do.
'Temple of Shadows' is a concept album that evolves around the Shadow
Hunter. An 11th Century crusader who questions the
Catholic Church’s ideals and the events that unfold around his life.
The quality of the album is laid down in the foundations of the first
track 'Spread Your Fire' with its velocity of the opening guitar riffs
and the pounding drums. This continues on into 'Angels And
Demons'. While the pace is slowed down a little on 'Waiting
Silence', but still keeping that thunderous drum backbeat. The
melodic vocals of Edu Falaschi really do shine through the onslaught of
drum and guitar.
This album easily skips through musical genres and styles without
missing a beat. This is no more apparent on the majestic 'Wishing
Well'. A track that any melodic rock band would be proud to have
on their album.
These changes in musical styles throughout the entire album makes it a
joy to listen too, as you meander through a mystical tale of life and
the turmoil that you feel when you start to doubt all that you have been
brought up to believe in.
The pace once again picks up with 'Temple of Hate' but quickly
changes tempo once more in time for the next track 'Shadow
Hunter'. The clever use of Spanish guitars on the intro is
carried on throughout the entire track and into the following track 'No
Pain For The Dead'. This being one of my favourite tracks
on the album as includes the wonderful guest vocals of Sabine
Edelsbacher of Edenbridge.
‘Wings of Destination’ delivers some of the best vocals
on the album, together with some powerful guitar and drum work as well.
‘Sprouts of Time’, if you ignore the title, is a well worked track
full of mystic, haunting melodies and laid back vocals.
‘Morning Star’ is a fine track that gently lifts the album to a
higher level with its melodic guitar and harmonic overtones. The final
track on the album ‘Late Redemption’ has the added vocal talent of
Brazilian singer and composer Milton Nascimento, giving the traditional
Brazilian music sound to the track that also gives it depth of meaning
and is a perfect way to finish off this fine album.
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