Steamhammer Us [Spv]
2005
Temple Of Shadows
About This Album
Brazilian neo-classical metal outfit Angra serve up a heaping platter of progressive power metal on their fifth full-length (and second with vocalist Edu Falaschi), Temple of Shadows. The concept, as penned by chief songwriter Rafael Bittencourt, concerns "a knight crusader known as the Shadow Hunter, who joins the army of the Pope in the late XI century." It's a typical fantasy/religious/rebellious comic book of a story, but it's augmented by some truly sublime and innovative arrangements and performances. Angra's integration of regional folk music is effortless -- castanets in a heavy metal song? -- and their symphonic breakdowns, Latin-inspired duel guitar solos, and dark melodic cadences more than make up for song titles like "Sprouts of Time" and "Spread Your Fire" -- the latter is actually one of the album's most impressive tracks. However, the real triumph is that they managed to secure a guest appearance by none other than the legendary Milton Nascimento, whose throaty tenor lends added weight to the already heavy -- in a tropical gothic kind of way -- ballad "Late Redemption." Temple of Shadows will most likely win back fans who left the fold with 2001's ambitious but ultimately forgettable Rebirth -- it would have been a better name for this release -- and hopefully gain a legion of new ones, as its dark charms signal a "real" metamorphosis in both execution and creativity. [Temple of Shadows was also released with a bonus DVD that features backstage scenes, a photo gallery, video clips, and a full concert in Sao Paulo from their Rebirth tour.] ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
Track List

Disc 1 (try tracks 2,3,4,7 and 8)

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Disc 2

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