The Temple

The Temple

The Temple are a Portuguese heavy metal and post-hardcore group formed in Lisbon in 1993. They remain active and are known for an underground career that builds through demos, albums, compilation appearances and live performances across Portugal and beyond.

Early releases and line-up

The band’s original line-up includes José Carlos on guitar, João Luis on vocals, Rui Alexandre on drums, Hugo Oliveira on bass and João Afonso on guitar. Their early recordings appear as two demos, released in 1993 and 1994. One of these later yields the track Cross-skull, which appears on the compilation High Radiation vol.1, while Dominated appears on the 2xCD compilation Hypermetal.

Albums and EPs

The Temple’s first full-length, The Angel, The Demon & The Machine, appears in 1997 and is released by Movieplay under the Skyfall name. It is followed by the EP 999 in 1999 and the EP DEMOnio in 2000, the latter issued by Raging Planet. Their next full-length, Diesel Dog Sound, appears in 2004 and is recorded in London at Philia Studios with Dave Chang producing and engineering. The album also includes contributions from Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell, Zé Pedro of Xutos e Pontapés and accordion player Ricardo Pereira. In Portugal, Raging Planet issues a digipack version with an additional DVD and extra video material, while Copro Records handles an international edition.

Live activity and reception

The Temple perform with acts including Machine Head, Life of Agony, Entombed and Moonspell, and also play in state prisons and at festivals such as Super Bock Super Rock and Vilar de Mouros. Their live work helps build an underground following, supported by radio editors, fanzines and webzines. Diesel Dog Sound receives strong critical attention in Europe, with coverage from Kerrang!, Rock Hard and Rock Tribune, as well as several webzines.

Compilations and wider profile

The band also appears on several compilations beyond those tied to individual tracks, including High Radiation vol.1, Hypermetal and Bandas de Garagem 2001. Their website makes a wide selection of tracks available to the public, and their music circulates internationally through underground channels and releases distributed in multiple territories.