Time Never Come

Secret Sphere | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Label: Northwind
• ASIN: B000LWV7Z4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rising high above the norm., May 29, 2002

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time Never Come (Audio CD)

Secret Sphere is yet another European power metal band. This genre is bloated with artists, very few of which stand apart from one another. Fortunately, Secret Sphere manages a nigh-impossible feat: they sound unique. If you can imagine Angra with a more progressive flavor, you might get something like this band.

A Time Never Come is a concept or theme album of some sort, apparently about different periods in time. A concept usually suggests that a band has a certain progressive inclination, and that definitely applies to Secret Sphere -- the songs are mostly fairly long and they are very theatrical and dynamic, sliding through tempo-changes with perfect smoothness. The band sports a heavy dose of symphonic keyboards, aggressive riffing, and great vocals (plus, the band's bass player is ::gasp:: audible). The walls of keyboard lend the band a rich symphonic sound, but there's no mistaking the fact that the band rocks...and they rock hard...The obligatory neoclassical elements factor into the band's music, but there are also touches of jazz and beautiful moments not limited to the sentimental balladry. Vocalist Roberto Messina sometimes sounds a bit awkward moving through different notes, but he remains one of the better singers in a genre full of talented vocalists. Being Italian, his enunciation is sometimes less than graceful, but he has a delivery of aggression that tempers his operatic side. Plus, his voice is very distinctive, something that cannot be said for most of his peers.

Because this album is a lot more elaborate than your average power metal disc, it took me a lot longer than usual to digest. I can now positively say it's one of the best in the genre.

"Legend" is soaring symphonic metal at its finest; the ballad "The Mystery of Love" (heh) features one of the most beautiful guitar solos you'll hear on a power metal record; "The Brave" tells the familiar story of William Wallace with Celtic influences among the crunching metal; "Lady of Silence" has a powerful atmosphere with heavy, stirring melodies; the finale "Dr. Faustus" mixes awesome melodies with a sweeping sense of drama to powerfully conclude the disc.

This is a band to keep your eyes on. Skip the lame power metal and buy this CD instead.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is it power metal or progressive or symphonic?, November 17, 2005

By 

Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time Nevercome (Audio CD)

I guess Heroic or Epic Power Metal is sometimes the object of derisive humor. It seems with the genre's reputed connection to fantasy concept themes including castles, goblins, knights, and dragons, that such albums lyrics may be considered "cheesy" and by extension, the music. This may be, but we seem to have a double standard here. I've never heard anyone say The Fellowship of the Ring or The Two Towers is "cheesy". Rather these two movies seem to have seas of fans who instead of finding humor at these two examples, are in awe of them.

The same point could be made for Harry Potter, Willow, Dragonslayer and many other fantasy movies. These are all wonderful exciting movies, enjoyed by millions.

However, I guess I misled you there a little. A Time Never Comes is not about Dragons and Goblins.

It's really about a girl named Aurienne who lives in a problem situation and is losing hope until she finds a magical sphere, which gives her a new outlook. Through the sphere she flies through a strange world where she personally, relives legends and tales of the past and of imagination.

In Fact, it's not even true Power Metal. It's really a hybrid, a blend of power, progressive and symphonic metals, an amazing composition, highly melodic with tons of hooks and great vocals and also features a symphonic orchestra and a choir. It is blazing new trails though unchartered territory, I think I'll call it eclectic metal.

Spectacular

Another term for A Time Never Comes could be Spectacular Metal. This is truly a spectacular album as lush bombastic songs keep coming and coming one song after another.

"Gate of Wisdom" is a 39 second verbal introduction to Fantasia a magical land.

"Legend" a great way to start an album. A magnificent song of multiple tempos from slow contemplative reflection to symphonic orchestral backed speed metal. Great guitars, great keyboards, great singing, great song!

"Under the Flag of Mary Read" Guitar lovers would love the intro to this mid to fast paced song with wonderful inspirational melodies woven throughout. Even the interludes are wonderfully done. Another great song.

"The Brave" and the great songs keep coming. Starting out with a lone acoustic guitar, then plunking violins, then adding synths leads to a speed metal interlude. All these have multiple tempos and highly varied instrumentation.

"Emotions" is a short intro with acoustic guitar and a saxophone sounding instrument backing the return of the narrator.

"Oblivion" the choirs and orchestra and rolling drums lead into a rather fast paced number to the midpoint where it changes to a slower, very pleasant, introspective pace.

"Lady of Silence" let's call this emotional, medium slow piece a fast paced ballad but containing all the goodies of the previous songs.

"The Mystery of Love" this is a love ballad but very nicely done and fitting in perfectly with the faster songs.

"Paganini's Nightmare" another short intro with our narrator.

"Hamelin" more progressive than anything this medium paced song. Is probably, the requisite, least best song, but it's still impressive. Maybe a 4.5 stars.

"Ascension" this 50 second lead in is a nice intro into the 8 minute finale.

"Dr. Faustus" a mid paced heavy metal number which gets more progressive at mid point and changes direction at the 6 minute mark with a piano/vocal solo leading into a symphonic finale.

SUMMATION

If I haven't mentioned it, this is really a very nice album. I really wasn't expecting much because their debut album Mistress of the Shadowlight was average at best and did not stand out in the highly saturated world of Italian Power Metal.

What a difference a year or two and an album can make. It was like they all went and had talent transplants. They went from ho-hum to total excitement.

SIMILAR BANDS

Thy Majestie, Sonata Arctica, Veni Domine, Skylark, Kamelot, Supreme Majesty

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Amazing Secret Sphere, August 21, 2003

By 

Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time Never Come (Audio CD)

Is it power metal or progressive or symphonic?

A Time Never Comes

I guess Heroic or Epic Power Metal is sometimes the object of derisive humor. It seems with the genre's reputed connection to fantasy concept themes including castles, goblins, knights, and dragons, that such albums lyrics may be considered "cheesy" and by extension, the music. This may be, but we seem to have a double standard here. I've never heard anyone say The Fellowship of the Ring or The Two Towers is "cheesy". Rather these two movies seem to have seas of fans who instead of finding humor at these two examples, are in awe of them.

The same point could be made for Harry Potter, Willow, Dragonslayer and many other fantasy movies. These are all wonderful exciting movies, enjoyed by millions.

However, I guess I misled you there a little. A Time Never Comes is not about Dragons and Goblins.

It's really about a girl named Aurienne who lives in a problem situation and is losing hope until she finds a magical sphere, which gives her a new outlook. Through the sphere she flies through a strange world where she personally, relives legends and tales of the past and of imagination.

In Fact, it's not even true Power Metal. It's really a hybrid, a blend of power, progressive and symphonic metals, an amazing composition, highly melodic with tons of hooks and great vocals and also features a symphonic orchestra and a choir. It is blazing new trails though unchartered territory, I think I'll call it eclectic metal.

Spectacular

Another term for A Time Never Comes could be Spectacular Metal. This is truly a spectacular album as lush bombastic songs keep coming and coming one song after another.

Genre: Power Metal
Label: 99th Floor
Playing time: 54:45
Band-Homepage: Secret Sphere

Credits
Robeto Messina, vocals
Aldo Lonobile, guitar
Andrea Buratto, bass
Luca Cartasegna, drums
Gianmaria Saggi, guitar
Antonio Agate, keyboards
Paco Gianotti, guitar

"Gate of Wisdom" is a 39 second verbal introduction to Fantasia a magical land.

"Legend" a great way to start an album. A magnificent song of multiple tempos from slow contemplative reflection to symphonic orchestral backed speed metal. Great guitars, great keyboards, great singing, great song!

"Under the Flag of Mary Read" Guitar lovers would love the intro to this mid to fast paced song with wonderful inspirational melodies woven throughout. Even the interludes are wonderfully done. Another great song.

"The Brave" and the great songs keep coming. Starting out with a lone acoustic guitar, then plunking violins, then adding synths leads to a speed metal interlude. All these have multiple tempos and highly varied instrumentation.

"Emotions" is a short intro with acoustic guitar and a saxophone sounding instrument backing the return of the narrator.

"Oblivion" the choirs and orchestra and rolling drums lead into a rather fast paced number to the midpoint where it changes to a slower, very pleasant, introspective pace.

"Lady of Silence" let's call this emotional, medium slow piece a fast paced ballad but containing all the goodies of the previous songs.

"The Mystery of Love" this is a love ballad but very nicely done and fitting in perfectly with the faster songs.

"Paganini's Nightmare" another short intro with our narrator.

"Hamelin" more progressive than anything this medium paced song. Is probably, the requisite, least best song, but it's still impressive. Maybe a 4.5 stars.

"Ascension" this 50 second lead in is a nice intro into the 8 minute finale.

"Dr. Faustus" a mid paced heavy metal number which gets more progressive at mid point and changes direction at the 6 minute mark with a piano/vocal solo leading into a symphonic finale.

SUMMATION

If I haven't mentioned it, this is really a very nice album. I really wasn't expecting much because their debut album Mistress of the Shadowlight was average at best and did not stand out in the highly saturated world of Italian Power Metal.

What a difference a year or two and an album can make. It was like they all went and had talent transplants. They went from ho-hum to total excitement.

SIMILAR BANDS

Thy Majestie, Sonata Arctica, Veni Domine, Skylark, Kamelot, Supreme Majesty