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Rating:
THE REVIEW
"Temple of Shadows" is released in 2004 and I decide to dive into the Brazilian metal of Angra, which is appreciated by many. Well, I was very skeptical about this band, I had heard some songs here and there, but they hadn't impressed me that much. Well, with this album, I changed my mind: it's really well done, there's everything... variety of instruments used, good melodies, high-level metal tracks, skilled musicians, rhythm changes and naturally (as I expected) also references to the Brazilian sound. A nice surprise, but there are some things that perhaps I don’t agree with, but they are just small things in a sea of good music, but let's go in order.
"Deus Le Volt" and "Spread Your Fire" open the CD in a great way, beautiful, the first one makes you enter a magical atmosphere, and the following track introduces the typical Angra sound made of good melodies and high rhythm with beautiful passages by drummer Aquiles Priester. It continues with "Angels And Demons" which has the same sound as the previous one, appreciable but below the first two because there is more virtuosity but at the same time a lack in melody. In the following "Waiting Silence" and "Wishing Well" the rhythm slows down and you enter (even more) into the progressive accompanied by nice choirs. "The Temple Of Hate" is very fast, I would consider it speed, applause-worthy are Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt with highly skilled pieces, and "The Shadow Hunter" is also very pleasant. From this point on we can say that the rhythm slows down (with some exceptions...) and you enter a calmer and more melodic part that maybe is a bit boring, it slows down too much in my opinion. The following tracks have a very strong vein of progressive with the use of more "calm" instruments and tempos. It closes with "Gate XIII" which even has strong classical influences.
A CD with a thousand faces and colors, varied and enjoyable. Maybe there's too much transition from power to melody, you risk getting lost between the crazy rhythms (Priester sometimes overdoes it) and the ballads that intertwine with each other, but this is a typical characteristic of Angra, otherwise an excellent CD for lovers of the genre.
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Summary by Bot
The review explores Angra's 2004 album Temple Of Shadows, praising its musical variety, skilled musicianship, and integration of Brazilian sounds. Initial skepticism is overturned by standout tracks and melodies. Some slower, more melodic sections may feel excessive, but overall it's a rich and enjoyable metal album. The reviewer highlights both fast rhythmic parts and calmer progressive moments.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 dying_sun
Temple of Shadows is sincerely promoted and deserves the purchase.
Angra has shown bravery and been rewarded, and as a result, so are we.
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
"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.
