In the Temple of Hate, Satan Awaits! (Temple Of Shadows - Angra)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Temple Of Shadows - Angra
Date:	21/01/08 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well-plotted progressive power metal classic.

Disadvantages: Deviates from its power metal base significantly by the end.

Another concept album in the style of 'Holy Land,' this time based around the earthly and supernatural exploits of an eleventh-century crusader seeking to topple the Catholic church, 'Temple of Shadows' is arguably Angra's finest album but still suffers a little from over-ambition. Where 'Holy Land' contrasted Native Brazilian tribal instruments with the symphonies of their European conquerors, this 2004 album evolves from straightforward fast, heavy and loud power metal to increasingly epic and orchestral heights in the second half. Rather then being part of the overall concept, it seems that this was done more to ease newcomers into the band's progressive tendencies gradually, and it works very well. This is among my favourite power metal albums.

Eduardo Falaschi's wails are strongly reminiscent of Edguy's Tobias Sammet, and are really at their best in the faster songs such as the more fundamental power metal of tracks two, three and six than in the album's softer moments of 'Waiting and Silence,' among others. As an ambitious album open to new ideas, there are also some enjoyable guest appearances from the band's contemporaries in the metal world, most notably Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) performing a fantastic duet in 'Winds of Destination,' one of the best songs here. With the introduction of Spanish-tinged instruments in the acoustic 'Wishing Well,' the album expands its horizons, not always to great result (this song in particular is fairly bad), but always interesting. 'The Shadow Hunter' maintains these Latin elements as the album seeks to define itself as progressive power metal through use of some contrived but successful time signature changes in the rhythm, and the orchestra really comes into its own starting from 'No Pain for the Dead,' remaining for the rest of the songs and reaching its zenith in the final 'Gate XIII.'

As powerful and exciting as the earlier 'Spread Your Fire,' 'Angels and Demons' and 'The Temple of Hate,' the aforementioned 'Winds of Destination' is really the only song in the album's latter half that will necessarily appeal to power metal fans who aren't quite into the more progressive stuff, but 'Late Redemption' has some great guitar solos from Kiko Loureiro as well as an interesting mix of English vocals and what I presume is Spanish. Fans of Falaschi's voice will enjoy the oddly named 'Sprouts of Time,' which is certainly his finest performance but does sound far too much like an extract from a Broadway musical for my tastes, while prog metal old-timers may be pleased at the distinctly eighties keyboards of 'No Pain for the Dead,' sounding like early Dream Theater with Kevin Moore. While some of the songs are inevitably too long, others are just perfect, and while it's inherent in a progressive album like this that it won't all appeal to everyone, every performance is excellent and the concept well executed, topping even their past successes and remaining Angra's peak for now.

1. Deus Le Volt!
2. Spread Your Fire
3. Angels and Demons
4. Waiting and Silence
5. Wishing Well
6. The Temple of Hate
7. The Shadow Hunter
8. No Pain for the Dead
9. Winds of Destination
10. Sprouts of Time
11. Morning Star
12. Late Redemption
13. Gate XIII

Summary: Angra's fifth album (2004).