TEMPLE OF SHADOWS

When the brand new ANGRA line-up released the breathtaking "Rebirth" back in 2000- 2001, after the departure of 3/5th of their personnel (later to form SHAMAN).I was convinced that the ANGRA banner would still be flying proudly again in the years to come, but nothing could have prepared me for the second new-ANGRA release! "Temple Of Shadows" is just simply amazing, stunning, jaw-dropping melodic power metal with a healthy doze of progressive overtones. This time ANGRA integrates more prog and technical playing throughout their Melodic Power Metal based compositions. The sullen intro "Deus Le Voit" sets the perfect mood before the five Brazilians open fire (pun intended) with opening track "Spread Your Fire".a brilliant up tempo power metal song with vibrant galloping rhythms, blazing guitar solos and Edu Falaschi commanding vocals spread on top of it. The next track, "Angels and Demons" begin with a riff that's firmly rooted in Prog-Metal; the track also boasts some of the best metal riffs and melodies I've heard all year! The guitar solos and interplay are also just as mouthwatering.slurp! Overall, musically ANGRA have produced another solid release.who am I kidding. they've come up with an album that's so damn near perfect.a masterpiece...at least to my ears. The music is just simply remarkable and very well crafted, the playing is superb and the whole vibe is very positive. Lyrically, "Temple Of Shadows" is also quite intricate.telling a dark story of an eighth century crusader (The Shadow Hunter) and his plight as he questions the teachings of the Catholic Church. ANGRA manages to bind the attention-grabbing concept story with music that's equally attractive. The calmer moments of tracks like "Wishing Well" are perfect lulls before the band slams the pedal to the metal again.and again. The band still makes use of keyboards very effectively to enhance their sound and to accentuate the heavier chops. The eight minute plus opus "The Shadow Hunter" sees the Brazilians shifting their moods and tempos, taking you -the listener- through a maze- like journey.and when you come out at the end of the tunnel, those eight long minutes seem to just flash by. And yes, you're then tempted to hit the "previous track" button to relive the experience once again. On this lengthy track ANGRA injects a plethora of musical influences, including progressive/fusion solos and some singing that vaguely sounds like something YES would come up with! Yup, genuine Prog-Rock sounding arrangements! (The band also flirts with Progressive Rock passages on a few other tracks, most notably on the album's three closers "Sprouts of Time", "Morning Star" and "Late Redemption"). The thick double bass drums still dictate the faster segments, and massive chunky metallic riffs intermingle with softer acoustic passages. Some Latin music and Samba interludes also creep in on a couple songs.sporadically jutting out amongst the more constant Power Metal rumble. I can't help to notice Edu Falaschi's amazing range and powerful delivery also. Some notable guest musicians - Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY), Sabine Edelsbacher (EDENBRIDGE), Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN) - also help out on "Temple Of Shadows", but I consider them to be just marketing gimmick, as these five musicians are more than capable of handling everything themselves on this album.well maybe not the soothing female vocals of Sabine Edelsbacher. One thing that strikes me throughout this album is the beauty of the melodies that just cries out ANGRA. This is also without a doubt the most progressive album from ANGRA. The best metal album of 2004? In my book definitely a big affirmative! * DD - Paradigma Records/Star 105.5 FM (Surabaya, Indonesia) *

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