Customer Reviews

Heart & Anger

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Secret Sphere has to be one of the most interesting bands as far as my experience with the European metal scene goes. Most of the bands I enjoy listing to today where formed way before I got interested in this genre of music, so I don't have the luxury of having been "there" for landmark releases and memorable moments. However, considering Secret Sphere has only been around since 1999, I honestly can say I have observed the band since its infancy.

Secret Sphere has indeed grown by leaps and bounds over the past years. Going from a debut album (1999's Mistress of the Shadowlight) I honestly would use as a coaster for a soft drink to an album that I would call pure sonic pleasure (2003's Scent of Human Desire), Secret Sphere are definitely a band to look out for.

Heart & Anger itself pretty much picks up where Scent of Human Desire left off, containing a overall similar style and feel. Considering the fact I don't really care for the band's first two releases that much (well, A Time Nevercome had a few decent tracks), this is exactly what I had expected the band to turn out following the massive overhauling of their sound on Scent of Human Desire.

However, unlike Scent of Human Desire, which was somewhat of a deviation from the band's first works, Heart & Anger seems to take a page or two from the band's earlier music. Songs are longer than on the pervious album, reaching to the length some might consider progressive (depending on your definition of progressive is). Fortunately, while some of the songs are longer, they don't degrade to the point of senselessness, as the bands has obviously discovered the idea behind balance since their first two albums.

Still, not is all well on Heart & Anger. While the need for experimentation for the sake of style and musical progression is necessary for any band or album, Heart & Anger is home to some failed experiments. The biggest example of this is the track Faster than the Storm. While the track has the potential to be a killer fast track, singer Ramon Messina's fails to keep up with the tracks various and multiple tempo changes, which is unfortunate. Nonetheless, Messina is still a talented vocalist.

Despite this, the album is still chuck full of great songs, such as the emotional opener Where the Sea Ends, the oddly named First Snake, to the psychotically heavy Lights On and Loud & Raw. Even though I feel Scent of Human Desire remains the bands best work to date, Heart & Anger is definitely worth a look, if not a purchase.

This is the only album I've heard by SS, so i can't compare it to their others. In short, H&A is rather similar to early Labyrinth (even having Tiranti on guest vocals for one song) mixed w/ a little bit of recent Edguy (esp. on the track 'Dance w/ the Devil', which sounds like something right off of 'Hellfire Club'), but just a little more aggressive at times. Fans of those two bands should be pleased w/ this album. Note that this album can be found ALOT cheaper elsewhere ($7 or $12 New at CMDistro); I'm not sure why Amazon has it so high unless this is an asian import version.

I was really waiting for this album to come , i finally have it and what a masterpiece!!! this album is in the vein of their "A time Never Come" another great masterpiece which i consider their best album.

Dont hesitate buying this album you will find uptempo songs,mid tempo and even 2 ballads!!!! if you like Agressive but still catchy and melodic power metal, im sure you will have a great time here. :)

What we have here is a solid work of melodic speed metal with a progressive touch. It's very typical for the genre and lacks variety. If you are not specifically into this kind of progressive speed metal it will sound very samish and booring despite it's quality.

I personally liked the vocalist Secret Sphere used for their first two albums better than this guy but this guy is definitely servicable. I have not heard this album more than a few spins but I am confident their second album "A Time Nevercome" shall remain my favorite of thiers as I feel it has stronger songwriting with more variety.

All in all I am certainly satisfied with the release but it does nothing to distinguish itself in such a crowded genre.

i bought there last cd but did not write a review for it.

after reading alot about there previous cd that came out before scent of human desire, i believe it's called a time nevercome or something like that i was really looking foward to it, i was let down, i thought there last cd was mediocore at best, well this cd is not, this cd is very enjoyable. i have just finally finished listening to this entire cd and it will not go into the back of my cd case like scent of human desire.

now all I have to do it buy time nevercome cd.

if lord chimp gave it 5 stars i'm pretty confident i'll like it.

it takes alot to impress me with power metal bands, power metal isn't really my thing but there are a few bands that do stick out, i'm more of a death / thrash listener. but this cd should put secret sphere in the uppper echelon on power metal bands. i hope you all enjoy this cd as much as i have.