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Brazil's long-running power metal titans Angra have released their tenth studio album after a five-year break since their last effort. It's called Cycles of Pain, a title that refers to the loss, grief, and recovery the band went through in the past few years (while also dealing with the challenges of a worldwide pandemic), notably the passing of former lead singer Andre Matos in 2019. Fans of the band can rejoice, as Cycles of Pain is Angra through and through. Obligatory, and very good, speedy power metal anthems like "Here in the Now," "Ride into the Storm," and my favorite "Generation Warriors" are classic Angra, fast and ultra-catchy with excellent neo-classical leads. As in the past, the band occasionally works traditional Brazilian music into the mix here and there, like on "Vida Seca," and indulges in some progressive elements on "Faithless Sanctuary," "Tide of Changes Part II," etc. The title track has a beautiful yet melancholy melody and successfully combines elements of both an upbeat rocker and a mournful ballad, highlighting the cycle of emotions one might feel after a significant loss. Former Rhapsody singer, Fabio Lione, who can sometimes make a band he joins sound a lot like his prior band, only brings that element to the songwriting in a couple of places, such as "Dead Man on Display" or the operatic "Tears of Blood," so this is still an Angra album. It doesn't reach the heights of Angels Cry or Rebirth, but I think it blows albums like Aurora Consurgens out of the water. Whether you've been an Angra fan for a while or you are new to the band, Cycles of Pain has a lot to offer.