Cycles of Pain

Cycles of Pain is a work on which ANGRA brought together Brazilian color, progressive construction and power-metal elation as a single drama. There is much complex rhythm and fine arrangement, but at the center is, after all, the dialogue of the vocal melody and the guitar. Even after a long career, it is a record on which their creativity has not dimmed in the least. On “Ride into the Storm,” “Gods of the World” and “Cycles of Pain,” in racing scenes sharp solos and twin guitars set fire, and in calm scenes an acoustic feel and rich harmony change the expression. Songs like “Dead Man on Display,” “Vida Seca” and “Tears of Blood” breathe the band’s full playing too. Characteristically Brazilian color shines throughout, such as songs with Portuguese titles. It functions not as change to show technique but as change to enlarge the songs’ emotion. It is a full record on which ANGRA’s multilayered appeal can be savored like a long feature.