Customer Reviews

Mistress of the Shadowlight

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

 

 

I was impressed by this Italian band that is still widely unknown; their sound is a mix of Labyrinth songs with Rhapsody's use of classical and baroque elements. The music is up-tempo, symphonic, melodic and pretty heavy. From the galloping fast, lightning fast guitar songs to the slower more emotionally charged ballads it's all excellently composed and they are all very able in their instruments. The only complain I can think of is the production that could've been better and made the songs even more thunderous. But other than that you get an album filled very melodious, catchy yet powerful symphonic metal that is superbly played as well as sung. Though Secret Sphere doesn't add anything new to the already numerous amount of symphonic metal bands out there they are still one of the best playing this kind of music.

It's difficult to find a power metal band that stands out among the throngs of clones and mediocre melodic ensembles. It seems that for every Kamelot there are ten Edguy's and for every Rhapsody there are twenty Dragonforce's.

But every now and then we'll come across a band that has all the trademark elements (symphonic textures, rapid guitars, faster drums, a high-pitched vocalist) and then an added something. Secret Sphere has that added something and a lot more to offer. Their debut album, "Mistress of the Shadowlight" may seem like an easily classified clone, but with more listens, you'll probably register more than what you originally heard.

Every power metal album needs a symphonic opening song. Although the production on "Dawn of Time" isn't superb (in fact, it's a little fuzzy), it has a tremendously melodic and original character. It isn't as classically influenced as Rhapsody's "Epicus Furor" or Kamelot's "New Allegiance", but it is equally energetic. It leads perfectly into the power-metal anthem "Age of Wizard", whose relentless riffs never cease to be extremely melodic. After only one chorus, the band engages in a 3-minute romp through progressive passages and a fierce duet of guitar and keyboard. Where any power metal band would have fizzled with a simple guitar solo, Secret Sphere explode.

Although they are no Elvenking or Wuthering Heights, Secret Sphere certainly have a subtle Celtic influence, noticeably in "Recall of the Valkyrie" and the peaceful "Twilight of a Fairy Tale". The latter is one of the most beautiful power metal ballads ever created (alongside Edguy's "Forever" and Kamelot's "Wander").

Energy - this is what Secret Sphere have. Their songs never sound half-heartedly composed or delivered, nor do they ever decide to succumb to a tired and weathered power-metal formula. They are quite the breath of fresh air.

See also: Secret Sphere - "A Time Never Come", Elvenking - "Heathenreel", Wuthering Heights - "Far From the Madding Crowd"

These guys are one of the best bands at this type of metal!
As a debut, it's a great album; they are all great musicians, especially the singer.
Going through the whole thing, one cannot avoid hearing a lot of Helloween and a lot of Blind Guardian in this CD, but those are great bands to be inspired by and those guys do it tastefully.
My only complaint, on this and their next CD (A Time Nevercome)is the guitar solos lack originality and most times the choice of notes is a bit too plain.
A little better on the faster leads though.
I love the Michael Kiske singing style!
I personally like the whole fantasy-medieval thing, and I enjoy the lyrics.
To sum it up, not too original but still good CD.

From Italy, here it comes a band that tries deseperately to be like RHAPSODY, doing that kind of boring, lousy and mean "European Symphonic POWER Metal" or whatever !!! This is emotionless music, it can't even be classified as "rock", so clean and overproduced it is. Blergh !!!!!