Angra - "Cycles of Pain"
Another standout performance from the legendary Brazillian Power/Prog outfit
Angra is a classic Power Metal five-piece from Brazil. Originally founded in 1991, they haven’t really changed their style or sound much in the last 30 years – if anything, they’ve honed it, and Cycles of Pain showcases their expertise exceptionally well.
Part of what makes Angra sound so good, reliably, is their subtle genric mix. They’re very much tuned into exactly what any metalhead might expect from 90s-era Power, but there are subtle touches of Prog throughout every composition, giving their songs a bit of added complexity and depth that pure Power tropes can’t typically achieve on their own.
Hey, Power is the genre that got me into Metal in the first place (thanks, Blind Guardian!), but I can admit that it has its limits.
Cycles of Pain starts slow, with a 47-second intro track, before diving headlong into “Ride Into the Storm”, which is a solid and aggressive first song. But the album really doesn’t hit its stride until the next track: the exceptional “Dead Man on Display”, an examination of mortality and how we take our lives for granted, hinging on the realization that, in the end, all that’s left of us are pictures on somebody’s wall. This song is gorgeous and complex, with energy that comes and goes in waves.
The quality and energy stay this high through the next several songs – the “Tide of Changes” suite (of which, only Part II is a true song), “Vida Seca”, and “Gods of the World”. Then we drop into the title track, “Cycles of Pain”, which is an intense anthem discussing the struggles of living with depression and anxiety. If you suffer from chronic depression or anxiety and have ever wondered what that struggle would sound like as a power metal ballad – here’s your answer.
Of the four tracks left to wrap up the album, “Faithless Sanctuary” provides one of the most prog-heavy guitar/bass compositions on the album; and then “Here In The Now” provides one of the most positive, uplifting tones to be found on any metal track this year, aided by the talented Vanessa Moreno, a Brazillian Jazz1 vocalist with a smooth mezzo-soprano and a lively percussion line.
The album closes with another of its best tracks, overall: “Tears of Blood”. This closer features pianist Juliana D’Agostini and vocalist Amanda Somerville. Somerville has provided vocals for several bands over the years, as well as her own solo work, ranging from Pop Rock to Symphonic Metal,2 and her semi-operatic alto here is an excellent addition.
Overall, Cycles of Pain seems to discuss the hardships of life and the struggle of dealing with them and carrying on. But it also does so in a positive way – by acknowledging the SUCK and stating, clearly, in its title track that “Taking a life/Won’t make it right”. In this instance, the band is clearly addressing suicide.
Because when you’re gone, all that’s left are the pictures on somebody’s wall.
This one is very good. I expected it to be, but it still surprised me a bit.
Rating: Blue
As best I can tell, Jazz is her main genre; there isn’t a lot on her. But she also dropped an album this year.
She has also provided supporting features for a large number of artists, including Kamelot, Elvenking, and Avantasia. She also had a role on the last Ayreon album, 2020’s Transitus