Tempel (U.S.) for Experimental / Post Metal

"When On the Steps of the Temple begins, the apathetically strummed guitar deceives the true nature of the music that is to follow. What Tempel has created here is a lesson in how to make a post-metal album that is actually heavy enough to be considered metal, and still takes listeners into a whirling sound-storm; it is not a long, drawling collection of mid-tempo songs that travel into each other — it is a solid structure, like a mountain, leading up to the summit, where lies Tempel.

The first track, “Mountain” is one of the fastest on the album. This can lead people astray if they are just listening to a sample to see whether they will like the rest. This song does not seem out of place though. It is a logical introduction for fresh travellers who have only just begun their treck up the mountain side. Keep going and you will know what I mean.

After an energetic bout of climbing, most would like to slow the pace and take time to regain their vigor. This is what On the Steps of the Temple allows listeners to do, with “Rising from the Abyss” (track 2). It starts slowly, then begins to plod along with some staccato riffing, before building up with some tasteful soloing and quick bass drums. It subsequently stops and allows you to take in the atmosphere, before continuing.

The closest thing to lyrics on this album comes in the song “Avaritia” (track 5), in the form of soundbits from what sounds like an old movie. Movie buffs are probably shouting at their monitors at my ignorance, but I’m not familiar with the source. The words suit the song perfectly. This is one of my favourite tracks from On the Steps of the Temple (and in general). The tension of the other parts matches the slow, thematic background the instruments lay down for spoken parts. The soundbits are about gold prospecting and the troubles that burden those who did, as well as those who did not, strike it rich, and the problem of keeping the money. Tempel has taken part of a film and used their own art to create an audio story. I wish all bands created tracks that were this well articulated.

The guitar sounds on this album are excellent. They are cleanly produced and the tones suit the music perfectly. When the instruments let a track breath, the keyboards soar, and the majestic tones fly over the top of the drums, it’s almost breathtaking. Actually, I don’t think I can fault the sound production on this album at all. I generally like my metal to sound more raw, but post-metal and clean production seem to go well together. Yes, there is probably nothing too special about the production choices; some might even call it a little generic (but let’s not confuse generic sound with bad sound). To me, there is something enchanting, and almost graceful, about the sound on this album." - a review by Michael Kattenbunner on The Metalithic http://www.the-metalithic.com/tempel-on-the-steps-of-the-temple-review/

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