The Brazilian power/prog-metal act known as Angra returns with their tenth studio album, and first for Atomic Fire Records, titled Cycles of Pain. From their 1993 debut Angels Cry to their most recent album OMNI in 2018, Angra have been one of the most respected bands in metal, and despite numerous line-up changes, founding member and guitarist Rafael Bittencourt has managed to keep the music of a very high quality throughout it all. Joining him here once again are Fabio Lione (vocals), Felipe Andreoli (bass, keyboards), Marcelo Barbarosa (guitar), and Bruno Valverde (drums).
The first thing you notice about Cycles of Pain is the outstanding production, as well as the always commanding vocals of Lione, who has consistently been one of the most underrated vocalists in power/prog metal for years. "Ride Into the Storm" and "Dead Man on Display" are two early songs in the album's sequence that deliver in spades, complete with soaring vocals and blazing guitars and drums, yet still maintaining Angra's high levels of melodicism. The two-part "Tide of Changes" allows the band to inject some epic & atmospheric elements into the formula, while "Vida Seca" has those wonderful Brazilian elements that the band always manages to include, with Valverde's drumming just off the chart good. Other highlights include the memorable title track, the complex "Faithless Sanctuary" (perhaps my favorite song here), and the crushing "Generation Warriors". Not a bad song in the lot to be honest, and I won't be surprised to see Cycles of Pain appear on many Best Of 2023 lists when it's all said and done.
Track Listing
01. Cyclus Doloris
02. Ride Into The Storm
03. Dead Man On Display
04. Tide Of Changes �" Part I
05. Tide Of Changes �" Part II
06. Vida Seca
07. Gods Of The World
08. Cycles Of Pain
09. Faithless Sanctuary
10. Here In The Now
11. Generation Warriors
12. Tears Of Blood
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