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THE REVIEW
Someone has decreed the death of quality power, of style. After the departure of the Stratovarius from the world of "honest" musicians and after witnessing the banality of bands like Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, and similar stuff, we can say that maybe it's true. Rising from those now stagnant waters are the Brazilian Angra, who, with their ups and downs, give their best in this Temple of Shadows, a concept album with all due respect.
If it's true that a theme about crusaders might seem overused in this genre, it's equally true that Angra does it with care, paying attention to the duality between lyrics and music, embellishing this album (which is power in its own right) with some prog interludes.
The content varies: it alternates between very fast tracks ("The Temple of Hate") and more acoustic or at least calm moments, reaching its apex with "No Pain for the Dead" (excellent performance by Sabine Edelsbacher), the most progressive of all, and "Late Redemption," which particularly struck me with its warm parts sung in Portuguese (Milton Nascimento takes care of the backing vocals).
Without going on too long, I have to say (as a “good” detractor of power) that I did not expect such a show of strength, especially considering how modest Rebirth was. Thanks to the aforementioned alternation of heavy parts, ballads, and orchestral breaks (whose highlight is undoubtedly the instrumental "Gate XIII") and due to a concept executed to the brink of perfection, Temple of Shadows is sincerely promoted and deserves the purchase. Angra has shown bravery and been rewarded, and as a result, so are we.
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Summary by Bot
Angra's Temple of Shadows revives quality power metal with a well-crafted concept about crusaders, mixing heavy, acoustic, and orchestral moments. The album shines with strong vocal performances, especially in 'No Pain for the Dead' and 'Late Redemption.' Compared to previous works and peers, it stands out as a bold and rewarding effort that deserves attention.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Angra
Angra is a Brazilian metal band known for blending power metal and progressive metal with classical/orchestral elements and Brazilian influences. The group’s early era featured vocalist André Matos; later releases feature vocalist Edu Falaschi, with guitarists Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt frequently highlighted in reviews for their technique and songwriting.20 Reviews
Other reviews
By emanuele
Great artists are recognized in difficult moments, during which one must prove their worth and be able to emerge from a heavy situation that has weighed on the band.
"Temple Of Shadows" is a turning point for our musicians, steering towards more power-oriented coordinates with an aggressive vocal style and complex rhythms.
By Dreamtheater
"With this album, I changed my mind: it’s really well done, there’s everything... variety of instruments, good melodies, high-level metal tracks, skilled musicians."
"A CD with a thousand faces and colors, varied and enjoyable... an excellent CD for lovers of the genre."
By Dreamtheater
"Truly well done, it has everything... variety of instruments used, good melodies, metal tracks up to par, skilled musicians, rhythm changes, and naturally... references to Brazilian sound."
"A CD of a thousand faces and colors, varied and pleasant. Maybe there is too much shift from power to melody... but this is a typical characteristic of Angra, otherwise an excellent CD for fans of the genre."
By ilfreddo
If the banal power with dragons and muscular heroes on the cover is a McChicken or BigMac at the fast-food, Angra are a dish at a restaurant to be savored with due calmness.
The true masterpiece of Temple of Shadows in my opinion is 'The Shadow Hunter'—a triumphant moment to be savored by simply cranking up the volume.
