There's nothing but light surrounding this Temple of Shadows
Angra are clearly from a country other than the UK because this album explores all those hidden dark crevices that so many typical Western bands step over smartly.
Being a fan of power metal of the melodic type, I instantly found those riffs that greeted me on this album utterly intoxicating. Orchestral flourishes combined with the kind of vocal delivery are diverse enough to appeal to fans of a wide range of genres mean that Angra and their brand new album 'Temple Of Shadows' is a fantastic treat for aged power metallers and newcomers to the scene alike.
It really doesn't matter in the slightest that these songs all clock in around five minutes each because Angra are now on their fifth studio album and are obviously doing several things very, very right.
Ever changing and ever adjusting, Angra are a refreshing band ho know how to play- any suspicions you made have had that power metal was dull will be blown away sharply by the guitar solos to be found on the track 'Angels and Demons'. 'Waiting Silence' focuses more on the vaguely operatic voice of Edu Falascli but is by no means softer. Angra only allow themselves to slow down when they reach the safety of the fifth track. For many, 'Wishing Well' may well be a little out of the standard comfort zone. Cheesy in the same way as those slow Nightwish songs half way through an album are, you'd like to admire it but the smell of cheddar refuses to let you get too close. Thankfully, Angra move on to greener pastures swiftly.
'No Pain for the Dead' draws heavily on Angra's Brazillian background and the result is a thrilling song ideal for accompanying an epic adventure or some sort. With members of legendary bands such as Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian and Nightwish wannabes Edenbridge all showing their heads on this record, it's obvious that Angra's concept album is one to take interest in.