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Herb is never far from the conversation on Cypress Hill records--how they smoke more than anyone, how they were rapping about it before anyone--but they never explain why, never suggest they derive something positive (or negative) from pot. Though III's "Illusions" begins with an Indian sitar, presumably a reference to '60s drug culture's Eastern influence, there's no expanded consciousness in the accompanying raps. Cypress Hill champion drug use, it seems, to bolster their outlaw image; they place pot smoke alongside beat-downs, just another illegal activity to prove they're bad dudes. --Roni Sarig

As far as production, DJ Muggs is at his absolute best here. He focuses on the spaciness of his production, creating a backdrop of slightly-sinister melodies rather than old funk samples. The result is a much more gangsta-oriented Cypress Hill, and it shows in B-Real's choice of song titles like "Throw Your Set in the Air" and "Killa Hill Niggas."

But those are hardly the strongest moments on the disc, which come when B-Real and the boys stick to their old formula: smoked-out mellowness. The opener, "Spark Another Owl" is a hynotic head-nodder, and "Boom Biddy Bye Bye" rides a nice vibe loop.

Muggs even takes some musical chances. He ups the tempo on "Make a Move," and B-Real adjusts nicely. He works a minimalist piano loop on the understated "Killafornia." And he creates an excellent backdrop using Gary Burton's "Las Vegas Tango" for the best song on the disc, "Illusions."

The addition of occasional percussionist (and now full-fledged group member) Bobo on congas adds to the Latino flavor on tracks like the narrative "Locotes," and if all the gangsta bravado is too much for you, the bonus track, "Everybody Must Get Stoned," will round out the album nicely in true Cypress Hill fashion.

So while this may be some of Cypress Hill's best work, the inconsistent quality keeps it from being their best album.


To steal from Steve King, "It Grows On You"   August 25, 1999
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

When I first heard "Temples of Boom", I was disappointed. After all, I loved "Black Sunday", and I guess I was expecting more. But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. The beats are phat as hell, piled on top of each till they reach critical mass. I really digged the Ice Cube put down. Just goes to show ya the boyz from Cypress don't give a f**k who they piss off. The best thing about this album, as well as "Cypress Hill" and "Black Sunday", is that all three albums are unique sounding in a homogenized rap scene; they stand out like a green herb in a wheat field. And how many rap groups would have the guts to try all the different sounds Cypress includes in their tracks. When was the last time you heard a sitar on a hip-hop album? Check out Black Sunday, Cypress Hill, and definitly Temples of Boom


D.J MUGGS AT HIS BEST   June 10, 2004
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is arguably Cypress Hill's best album to date,FLAWLESS ALBUM very rare in todays hip hop I mean hip pop.D.J MUGGS production on this album is SICK,that's why he is one of the best producers in hip hop. ONE LOVE TO D.J MUGGS A PRODUCERS PRODUCER.


BEST CYPRESS ALBUM   December 20, 2000
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Temples Of Boom is easily the best Cypress Hill album to date... and the least know of Cypress Hill's work.. which is unfortunate, for example, see the ammount of reviews written for this album compared to their other albums. DJ Muggs production on this album is his best in my view... dark and psychotic, which fits B-Real and Sen Dogs (not on the album much) raps perfectly. The beats are just so undeniable... even thou the raps are about the same ol' same ol' (weed) it is still great to hear B-Reals nasal raps. My favorite tracks are Spark Another Owl, Illusions, Boom Biddy Bye Bye, Killafornia and Everybody Must Get Stoned, and more...