Artist: Angra
Label: SPV
Release Date: 1/11/05
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Title: Temple of Shadows Artist: Angra Label: SPV Release Date: 1/11/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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4 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
A power/prog outfit doing a concept album? Hard to imagine, huh? While I have warmed up to these types of bands a great deal in the past five years or so, Angra remains only on the edge of my radar screen. I know they're there, I know they have something to offer, I'm just not sure I can admit I like them and respect myself in the morning. There's just something so overtly fruity about them.
"One word review: Oomphless." And this album does little to change my opinion. The album is, as you would expect, well constructed and pristinely produced, with impressive vocals and guitars. The whole presentation is pretty damn good... Even the keyboards don't grate on my nerves like most albums of this genre. But in the end there is something missing. The songs are missing that oomph that makes classic anthems. The album starts off well enough with "Spread Your Fire" which follows a brief intro, but rather than building on initial energy, the album becomes mired in acoustic guitars and lame ballads. Even when the band starts rocking again, they can't seem to maintain any momentum.
I've become more and more of a Blind Guardian fan so I was really looking forward to Hansi Kursch's guest performance on "Wings of Destination," but I keep feeling like I'm trying to like it more than I actually do. Gamma Ray's Kai Hanson has a more successful cameo in "Temple of Hate," but again, there's still something missing.
I'm still waiting for this band to reach out and grab me, but they remain elusive. There are flickers of greatness, but I'm still not sold. One word review: Oomphless.
Death's Review:
Angra are back with another highly professional display of top-notch power metal musicianship and mastery. Fans of Helloween, Gamma Ray (Kai Hansen guests), Blind Guardian (Hansi Kursch also guests) and modern-day Jag Panzer will rejoice. Prog-metal / Dream Theater fans might find a thing or two to like about this album too. Clearly, a lot of thought and effort went into producing this magnum opus, a concept album with a story about "The Shadow Hunter," an 11th century crusader who questions the Catholic Church’s ideals. Partly because I haven't heard a lot from the power metal genre lately, it is somewhat refreshing to listen to this polished, expertly produced and performed slab of decidedly "non-core" music. The technicality on display is highly impressive, and the complex arrangements are to be commended. The guitar playing and drums are killer too. Personally, I'm not that keen on singer Edu Falaschi's voice, and the songs are not always as captivating as they should be. But all of the other individual elements are there, and they are all well-above first rate. If you like this sort of thing, you'll want to rush out to get this; this surely is a five skull album for some. Death metal fans and hardcore kids can stay away, but those who like complex metal with clean vocals and talented musicianship should check this one out.
"This surely is a five skull album for some."
Hel's Review:
I am far from an Angra expert. Yep, you guessed it - I'd never listened to them at all prior to this record. But Angra is a legendary band, and if you've been around the underground metal scene for as long as I have, you've most definitely heard lots about them. So I was kind of into checking out Temple of Shadows. Angra certainly lived up to their reputation.
"Definitely check this out if you've ever been curious about Angra." Now, I have not been fond of anything resembling power metal for quite awhile now. I still vividly remember the flood of power metal albums that came our way a few years ago, and I have not yet fully recovered from it. But no matter how jaded about a genre one becomes, it is simply impossible to sit down with this album and not be impressed by the musicianship and songwriting skill displayed. They are both absolutely superb.
The guitar sections are stunning. The vocalist remained pleasant to listen to throughout the album, never once trying to reach a high note beyond his range. Female vocals were used sparingly enough to avoid becoming irksome. The highlight of the record is the additional orchestration found on many of the tracks - they are beautifully performed and are inserted in places that complement the flow of the record instead of disturbing it.
Will I be spending a lot of time with this album in the future? I sincerely doubt it. But if I ever find myself in the mood for some insanely progressive power metal in the future, this will be the first record I reach for. Fans of the band will delight in the conceptual storyline that adds the icing to this cake. Definitely check this out if you've ever been curious about Angra.
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