22/11/04

ANGRA / TEMPLE OF SHADOWS

The Brazilian Progressive Metal band return with a concept album based on the tale of a Knight of the crusade called the Shadow Hunter and it’s a real gem.

The band brand of Metal is akin to Dream Theater, Rhapsody and Qeensryche and the guitar work is fast, fluid and frequent, the keyboards are lavishly layered and classically inclined and the Geoff Tate ish vocals are precise and multi harmonised, all this is underpinned by some great Metal. Its track like "The Shadow Hunter" where Angra really get the chance to shine, it starts off with Latin flavoured Spanish guitar and quickly builds up into a Metal monster full of complex time changes and enough solos to keep everyone happy. The first five tracks are fast, furious affairs and really get you into the mood so that by the time the ballad cuts in your ready for it.

Best track; "Angels And Demons", Spread Your Fire", "Temple Of Hate" and "The Shadow Hunter". This is a great return for Angra and should delight new and old fans alike and the just to make it sweater there is a limited edition with a 14 track DVD featuring the band live in Sao Paulo, what more could you ask.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 66 mins + 13 TRACKS