Customer Reviews

Time Nevercome

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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

GREAT NEW CONCEPT ALBUM. YOU CAN FIND IN THIS RECORD A LITTLE OF POWER, HEAVY, ROCK & PROG. VERY DIFFERENT AND INTERESTING ITALIAN BAND.BUY IT !!

The Italian power-metal quintet really up the ante on this release, bringing us a more profound (and certainly more powerful) work than 1999's "Mistress of the Shadowlight". The theatrics are certainly there in the form of a concept, scripted music, and movie clips (namely from "The Neverending Story" on the first track, "Gate of Wisdom").

The guitars are heavier, vocalist Ramon's pipes are cleaner and more beautifully harmonized than before, and their overall timing is much more precise. To add to the album's appeal, there are only two real power-metal songs, namely the crushing opener, "Legend" and the equally ferocious closer, "Dr. Faustus". Every other song clearly defines its perimeters.

To name a few: the explosive "Under the Flag of Mary Read" is a perfect marriage of power-metal accessibility with progressive metal's jagged-edged guitar-work. Thrown in the mix is a vocal orchestration melody that may remind listeners of Savatage, combining various voices that repeat over each other. The Celtic-influenced "The Brave" (based on the tale of William Wallace) is a mixture of various melodic textures (or even movements) that showcase a variety atypical of this genre. "Oblivion" is the perfect power metal track. It begins with an ominous choir, kicks into furious guitars, delivers a pristine chorus, and finishes with brilliant acoustics.

Even the 85-second "Emotions" is amazing. With just an acoustic guitar, a saxophone and a psychedelic ambience, Secret Sphere create a landscape of pure serenity.

It's difficult to find a truly talented and original power-metal suite in today's world of clones. But fortunately, for us, we have Secret Sphere's "A Time Never Come" and its predecessor, "Mistress of the Shadowlight", both five-star albums in a two-star genre.

See also: Secret Sphere - "Mistress of the Shadowlight", Elvenking - "Heathenreel", Wuthering Heights - "Far From the Madding Crowd"

Secret Sphere is a rather different band, and quite difficult to get used to. At least they were for me. I got this album for Christmas, and I somehow overlooked it. I'm not sure how - probably because there level of maturity that they display in their music is so above many of their competetors.

There are only 8 full legnth songs - the other 4 are into-like songs. The songs here are mostly over 6 minutes each, one over 8.

This band, as the other reviewers say, is better than Labyrinth - not to rank on one of my better liked melodic metal bands, but Secret Sphere knows what they're doing. Also, yes, their from Italy... but do NOT expect another Rhapsody - they and the side project are 2 of a kind. Secret Sphere does sound a ton like Labyrinth, only add Avantasia to them and that will give you Secret Sphere.

One thing to be aware of that I think is part of what makes this band so hard to respect is that they have many speed changes within a single song - particularly the opener. Since it appears the most in the opener song, you might get thrown off and turned off to the bands sound right away. Well, fortunately, I have advice for you. DON'T!!! Get to tracks 7 and 8 - Lady of Silence: beautiful pianos, and Mistery of Love: a gorgeous ballad with fantastic keyboards. I'm trying to think of whose keyboards sounds like Secret Sphere.. ... ... ... ... ... ... I don't know who does it this good. Angra sounds about this level of bass power, but not keyboards. I'm not really sure. I will tell you that the keyboards aren't as powerful and strong to hear as Skylark's - a band I found out about at the same time I found out about Secret Sphere.

So on A Time Never Come, we can say that this album is a lot like Emperor's new and final CD, Promentheus, in the sense that it will take a long time to respect it, if you ever will. So I give this 5 stars because I've heard this CD inside-out by now... at least enough to be sure about what I've said so far. I really want to warn you: you are stepping into the master's realm by buying this CD. If you're a Helloween or Iron Maiden fan, chances are you'll have trouble drawing out the high points on A Time Never Come. However, if you can really listen hard to this album, you'll soon figure out just how good it is - 5 stars, for sure.

Did this review help you? Then say so! Also, check out some of my other reviews when you get the time.

I find this very confusing. What is the best,currently available, power metal album? I was sure it was 'Gates of Oblivion' by Dark Moor,then I bought 'Hastings 1066' by Thy Majestie and I knew there was nothing better. However, 'Crystal Empire' by Freedom Call made me wonder and now 'A Time Never Comes' is nothing short of sensational. The previous reviewer, Lord Chimp,says they're unique. I can see where one would think that but I'm not so sure that they aren't so good in this album, that they just seem unique. The music does seem to vary from power metal to melodic to symphonic to progressive, back and forth. There are also several catchey hooks. All this may seem to make these guys seem unique, but I think they are just plain good. This is their sophmore release. Their debut was less than impressive but they certainly got their act together now. If you like Kamelot, Rhapsody, Sonata Arctica, Edguy, Labyrinth, or any of the other numerous symphonic or power metal groups, no sweat! SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

In my personal opinion i would say this cd deserves a 8.5 out of 10, and this is a great mark for me. In my mind there're just a few 9.999 for "Images and Words" by Dream Theater and "Visions" by Stratovarius.

I think Secret Sphere are not at the same level than Rhapsody (another italian band)(although they're quite close), but they're much better than the other "hot contenders" of Italy: Labyrinth.

They combine elements of those four bands: they mostly play speed metal in the style of Labyrinth, the melodies of the guitars and the keyboard remind me the melodies of the Finish guys, the chorus are a bit epic in the style of Rhapsody and finally there're some progressive parts, mainly in the drums.

In a nutshell, they sound really well (the only weak part of their music is not their music (???), i mean, the lyrics are a bit weird-odd-bizarre and you can feel that the native tongue of those guys is not english...yeah, like me). Anyway, i strongly recommend you to give Secret Sphere a chance...you won't regret it!!!!

BTW, the solo of "The mystery of love"...simply amazing and stunning!!!!

got it on time, 1 half of the inside ring( which holds the cd) was broken BUT not enough that the cd comes loose.

With this 2nd album Secret Sphere grabs me, the listener, with a bigger amount of personality than their 1st cd Mistress OF The Shadowlight.
Sure, you still hear a bit of Blind Guardian and a lot of Helloween and Michael Kiske's singing style, but I love that, so who cares?
Another big plus on this one is great hooks, catchy songs to sing my balls off when I'm in the car all by myself!
One can definitely learn how to sing listening to these guys and trying to sing along!
Definite improvement!
Even in the composition/arrangement department.
I wish I knew how to give them half a star more!
It's a three and a half.