For all fans of power metal, 'Angra' is one of the references in this style and since the release of their first album 'Angels Cry' just 30 years ago, even if 'Rafaël Bittencourt' is the only survivor of the initial line up, they have always continued their path against all odds in a Brazil where he is not very easy to last. 'Cycles Of Pain' arrives five years later 'Ømni' which did not leave me with a lasting memory (I should certainly give myself a little booster shot). For this last baby, I find the diversity that I like in 'Angra' because, for my part, the power metal label remains very restrictive and this feeling is further confirmed throughout this latest album which sets them apart from other groups of this style.
This diversity is already present with the short introduction 'Cyclus Doloris' which offers a beautiful liturgical female choir accompanied by a church organ, then, the first two titles, fit well into it, represent the speed power side of the group with a chorus to be repeated in chorus until the voice goes out and a remarkable little break in the second part of the title for 'Ride Into The Storm' (see the video above) and this lively and catchy tempo for 'Dead Man On Display' which also benefits from its little final break. Without transition, 'Tide Of Changes' (see the video here) whose very quiet first part introduces a more calm composition while maintaining a beautiful power with beautiful alternations of 'intensities and tempo bringing a progressive side, 'Fabio Lione' being like a fish in water in this style by modulating his singing in a beautiful way. With 'Vida Seca', the Brazilian influences are very present and, even if the power of the electric instruments, then take over, the fast tempo characteristic of this country and the singing in Portuguese bring a beautiful diversity. And when power metal regains its rights while remaining very melodic on a very catchy tempo, 'Gods Of The World' (see the video here) is there to offer us a new catchy chorus and a huge guitar solo, in certain places flirting with neo-classical. Make way for the ballad of the album with the title song in which 'Fabio Leone' also shows all his vocal talent in a quieter atmosphere then, without transition, 'Faithless Sanctuary' brings an exotic introduction and then benefits from a sought-after construction with multiple rhythmic changes which makes it the most progressive track of the album, moving away from metal while maintaining great power. Follows 'Here In The Now' which definitely moves away from power metal and which is a magnificent progressive rock composition embellished by the vocals of 'Vanessa Moreno' rather accustomed to singing in a more popular style and who then forms a very beautiful vocal duo with 'Fabio Lione'. Alternating, we then take a small dose of muscular power metal with 'Generation Warriors' which recalls 'Ride Into The Storm' at the start of the album, then, 'Tears Of Blood' ends the album in a very beautiful way on a theatrical progressive composition as far removed from power metal in which the singer 'Amanda Somerville' and pianist 'Juliana D'Agostini' are guests, 'Fabio Lione' and 'Amanda Somerville' forming a wonderful vocal duo.
In summary, this latest album by the Brazilians of Angra' shows all the talent of this group which has, over the years, forged their own style by offering us a beautiful diversity and, even if the label of power metal sticks to their skin (on this opus, only four compositions can be tagged thus), 'Cycles Of Pain' is of remarkable richness and variety and should please an audience open to different styles around the metal whether progressive, symphonic, heavy or power... | |
