Photo credit: Alyssa Fried
More than two decades later, big band of the closing period of the 20th century, Temple of the Dog, is revamping its presence with nostalgia and new energy. Releasing an album with the title of the bands namesake, Temple of the Dog is drawing back to its roots while establishing new ones in an anticipated work coming out September 30th.
With the new album in sight, the band has released a single “Black Cat” recently, but headlines have made way for a new release of the upcoming album. The demo, “Angel of Fire,” draws to the bands cemented presence of ’90s fame and new inspiration that has come decades later. The song illustrates the tumultuous inner struggle of someone contemplating a love to hold on to or a love to have lost. With an introspective nature, the demo crisps into a furling moan of what is and what should never be, as the music coincides with the bellowing of lead vocalist Chris Cornell. Inner struggle and the difficulty of decision drives this emotional tune with every bit of the band’s essence in it. In opportune timing, the demo foreshadows the upcoming album and the tour dates that follow. As the band sets up for tour, the song puts forth the unconventional crooning of Cornell and the supplement of his band’s electric emotion to his lyrics. “Angel of Fire,” per the title, depicts and evokes an on edge taste of a cathartic nature and one that is true to the band’s form. Listen below…