I am truly amazed at the number of bands we come across that should be household names but for whatever reason remains in relative obscurity. Secret Sphere is one of those bands. They have all the tools and deliver some very tasty power metal but it took this re-release of their 2005 album before they came to my attention. I have to thank Metal Mind Productions once more for giving the opportunity to hear them and another 1999 lucky souls also will get that chance with this limited edition disc that will keep you in fist pumping mode throughout. Grandiose epic anthems abound and their sense of the melodic bring to mind groups like Avantasia. The fact that lead singer Ramon R. Messina could easily be mistaken for Tobias Sammet vocally also helps to remind you how similar they are. This is not a bad thing, it just shows at what level the unheralded Secret Sphere are on. Just listen to "Dance With The Devil and you will hear what I am talking about.
This disc has been a total surprise. It has all the trappings that a power metal fan can fall into. With soaring melodies and epic themes, they unleash a terrific metal assault upon your ears that will make you wonder where these guys have been hiding. The twin guitars of Aldo Lonobile and Paco Gianotti provide the pounding while the keyboards of Antonio Agate give their sound the majestic atmosphere that is so mesmerizing.
Another side to the band though is their ability to bring such a melodic spin to their music. On a song like "I Won't Say A Word" there is a very mainstream almost AOR type of melody wrapped in some serious metal. Just as quick though they flip into something like the epic "Lights On" that boast a full choir and some thunderous crushing metal licks with tasty orchestration that seeps in now and then. If you want to hear diversity in metal, these guys give you quite a few variations on the theme. The great thing about it is that every avenue they travel is a dynamic, inspiring musical roadway. This one is a treat that needs to be savored time and time again.
Track listing:
1. Endless
2. Where The Sea Ends
3. First Snake
4. Loud & Raw
5. Dance With the Devil
6. Set Me Free
7. I Won't Say a Word
8. Lights On
9. Leonardo Da Vinci
10. You Still Remain
11. Bad Blood
12. No Reason Why
13. Faster Than the Storm
Bonus Track
14. Where the Sea Ends (acoustic live jam)
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