(Power Metal) Secret Sphere - Archetype - 2010, FLAC (image+.cue+scans) lossless

SECRET SPHERE – a name guaranteed to make every Power Metal freak's heart beat faster with excitement and anticipation! Crediting bands like HELLOWEEN, ANGRA, DREAM THEATER and SAVATAGE as their biggest influences, SECRET SPHERE manage to honour the heritage of such big names while creating their very own brand of Symphonic Power Metal. SECRET SPHERE was founded in summer 1997, the initial spark coming from the talented guitarist Aldo Lonobile. After some line-up changes during the early days, the current line-up recorded their debut album “Mistress Of The Shadowlight” in 1999 through Elevate Records.

In 2000 SECRET SPHERE appeared on the prestigious “Keepers Of Jericho” – HELLOWEEN – Tribute sampler alongside big names such as SONATA ARCTICA and RHAPSODY. After the second album, “A Time Nevercome” (2001), SECRET SPHERE concentrated on touring all over Europe and signed with Nuclear Blast for 2003..s opus, “Scent Of Human Desire”. Produced by Achim Köhler (SINNER, PRIMAL FEAR), their third album reaped excellent reviews and high rankings in international metal press. 2003 saw them play various shows at well-known festivals including the Metal Dayz in Switzerland and the band was also invited to play the ProgPower USA festival in 2004.

“Heart & Anger”, SECRET SPHERE..S second release for Nuclear Blast – and their 4th, both showed their trademark strengths and the tendency to include even more majestic and orchestral elements and very aggressive parts. Achim Köhler / House Of Music – well-known for his heavy productions for SINNER, BRAINSTORM or PRIMAL FEAR – was responsible for the powerful yet detailed production once again. His duty was to melt SECRET SPHERE..S Speed / Power Metal riffing with the epic, symphonic parts recorded with a full orchestra. In 2005, Secret Sphere teamed up with Intromental Management to further the possibilities for the band in the heavy metal business. A tour was booked, as support band for Royal Hunt, but RH chose to cancel the tour 2 days into the schedule, leaving Secret Sphere with a devastated economy and a horrible experience. However, the band decided to fight on in spite of being this terrible incident.

With a newfound energy the band after few months, in april 2006 was again on the road supporting King Diamond on his Scandinavian tour. After the succuessfull tour, the band decided to begin working on a new album, this time, including a concept of the strange and moody world of Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, A Nightmare Before Christmas, etc.). Moreover, the band played stunning shows at several festivals, including ProgPower UK and the Evolution Fest in Italy. 2007 has been spent, writing material for the new opus, and Secret Sphere is ready for the recordings of the album that will bring them on top of the mountain that is heavy metal. Before to release the fifth album the band decided to come back on the road supporting the Swedish Hard Rockers Astral Doors on their European tour just to build up more the band's name.

Now everything is ready for the comeback ! “Sweet Blood Theory” is the final step to establish the band's trademark in the metal music. A concept album based on the Polidory's novel “The Vampire” (1814) here and there melted in the typical Tim Burton's moody world and the dark-epic Elfman Soundtracks. Musically the band showing an aggressiveness not usual for a power metal band keeping the unmistakeable style of the band in composing catchy melodies! Secret Sphere now has their unique sound !

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/heartanger#ixzz13dRVHcvf

I have always reckoned Secret Sphere to be one the better power metal bands from Italian soil. Although I have always been charmed with this band, I never though of them more than a good power metal band and also wasn’t equally convinced with each album. Their last output ‘Sweet Blood Theory’ was even a small disappointment due to its too melodic and too Edguy-sounding character.

Well, what a surprise I get when I start on the sixth album ‘Archetype’! The albums starts powerful with ‘Line Of Fire’ right after the intro and I find myself on the tip of my chair immediately. The song starts with all the recognizable Secret Sphere elements and shows atmospheric power metal with melodic, virtuoso guitar licks. It also becomes clear immediately that this album has fallen out faster and more aggressive than its predecessor. Ramon Messina’s vocals are more convincing than ever before and the aggressive background vocals from Sadist singer Trevor give the music that little bit of extra! This track is highly catchy and the simple chorus invites you to throw your fist in the air and shout along with full power. The keyboards on top of everything are – shortly put – breathtaking and create an exciting atmosphere.

That track also sets the tone for what is about to some! ‘Death From Above’ for example starts off melodic and slowly grows out to a fast power metal banger and the following ‘The Scars That You Can’t See’ is a sensitive mid-tempo song with a beautiful, dynamic construction. The following songs contain all the aforementioned elements and each is a true power metal climax on its own. The album has a quite diverse character and the songs contain a lot of variable tempos and mood changes. The comparison with bands like Labyrinth, Edguy, (later) Axxis and similar bands are again present and in songs like ‘Mister Sin’ and ‘All In A Moment’ the influences from Helloween, Gamma Ray and Freedom Call are revealed once again. Unlike the last album, I don’t get the feeling that Secret Sphere is following these bands and there where that album sounded a bit uninspired, ‘Archetype’ has a old-fashioned exciting and intense character. Add the fantastic choir and background contributions from Alessandro Conti (Trick Or Treat) and Damnagoras (Elvenking) – who are present on every song – to the whole and you know that the album can’t fail.

The production has been in the hands of guitarist Also Lonibile and drummer Federico Pennezzato and these gentlemen have done a tremendous job. Altogether ‘Archetype’ is Secret Sphere’s best effort so far! Fans of the band’s earlier works and also fans of atmospheric, symphonic power metal can purchase this album without a second thought.

Roberto "Ramon" Messina - Vocals (Alkemyst, Hemisphere, Highlord, Avatar (Ita))
Aldo Lonobile - All Guitars (Civilization One, Beto Vázquez Infinity)
Marco Pastorino - Rhythm Guitars (Shining Fury, Timesword, The Ritual, Ivory (Ita))
Andrea Buratto - Bass
Gabriele Ciaccia - Keyboards and Piano
Federico Pennazzato - Drums (Deformachine, Odd Dimension,Jason Goes to Hell)