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The Brazilian power
metallers seem to undergo a very fruitful
period of their career. As I can judge,
the line up changes after the dubious
"Fireworks" have proven
beneficial for the productivity and
the quality of the band. Their previous
effort, "Rebirth", was a
truly reviving work that re-established
the band's reputation. So "Temple
of Shadows", a lyrical concept
work, walks on the steps of "Rebirth"
and tries to extend the band's audience
by introducing a lot of progressive
elements. Well, we always knew that
Angra is a skillful band ("Holy
Land" is their testimonial for
musical innovation). However, this
time they try to combine their German
power metal background, their traditional
music and more normal forms of progressive
(quite paradoxical to name "normal"
some Dream Theater influences, don't
you think?). Their prestigious guests
(Kai Hansen, Hansi Kursch) strengthen
the power metal identity of the band,
while Sabine Edelsbacher is adding
more depth on the atmospheric substance
of the songs. Edu Falaschi has proven
wrong everyone who was worried about
his ability to replace Andre Matos
and without his theatrical performance
lyrical concept of "Temple of
Shadows" couldn't be easily materialized.
My only concern about "Temples
of Shadows" is that sometimes
it becomes tiring, especially at the
speedy parts of the songs. I think
that the future of Angra lies in the
progressive metal field. Somehow I
feel that this suits them better,
while they can offer more to this
genre, than to traditional power metal.
Perhaps the duration of the CD could
be less. Nevertheless, I could distinguish
as best moments "Angels and Demons"
with the progressive opening part,
the Brazilian-flavored "Late
Redemption" (with Milton Nascimento
on guest vocals), "The Shadow
Hunter", "Wishing Well"
and "No Pain For the Dead".
At the level Angra stand we cannot
talk about issues of production (Dennis
Ward is behind it) or artwork; they
simply reach all our expectations.
In conclusion, Angra are definitely
back and they are claiming your attention.
I think that they worth it. |
