Review: Secret Sphere “Portrait Of A Dying Heart” (2012)

Reviewed by Loris Bergagna

Artist: Secret Sphere
Album: Portrait Of A Dying Heart
Label: Scarlet Records
Release Date: 26/11/2012

TRACKLIST:

1. Portrait Of A Dying Heart
2. X
3. Wish & Steadiness
4. Union
5. The Fall
6. Healing
7. Lie To Me
8. Secret Fears
9. The Rising Of Love
10. Eternity

Secret Sphere are a well-known Italian Power/Prog Metal band from Alessandria.
“Portrait Of A Dying Heart” is their seventh studio album to date (and the most ambitious one), after “Mistress of the Shadowlight” (1999), “A Time Nevercome” (2001), “Scent of Human Desire” (2003), “Heart & Anger” (2006), “Sweet Blood Theory” (2008), “Archetype” (2010).

“Portrait of a Dying Heart” is a concept album based on the novel “She Complies With The Night” written by Costanza Colombo, a young Italian authoress (and commissioned by Aldo Lonobile, main composer and guitarist of the band).

The album starts with the eponymous track, a great and enormous intro in the style of Dream Theater.
This is their first album with the legendary Michele Luppi on vocals (Vision Divine, Thaurorod, Killing Touch). Michele shows their incredible skills in tracks like “Wish & Steadiness”, “Union”, “Healing”, “Lie To Me”, “The Rising of Love” and “Eternity”.
“X” is a good prog track with many time changes, speed and melodies.
“Wish & Steadiness” starts with an haunting intro and evolves in a prog/power track with a great work of Luppi between lead and backing vocals.
“Union” is a melodic song with a great work of the keyboardist, Gabriele Ciaccia, and a great solo that makes you fly far away.
“The Fall”, the first single, has a trash/heavy flavour that hits very hard with a great rhythm section, a sort of symphonic arrangement and a catchy refrain.
“Healing” is a good song with a convincing riffing a great performance of the singer.
“Lie To Me” is a sort of ballad, the most melodic moment of the album, with catchy vocals and a wonderful arrangement of piano and keys. A very interesting track!
“Secret Fears” is one of the highlights of the platter, combining power riffing, technical proficiency, speed, prog ideas and good melodies.
“The Rising of Love”and “Eternity” are two fantastic tracks with really haunting atmospheres, nice vocals, wonderful arrangements and a brilliant guitar work of Lonobile.

This “Portrait of a Dying Heart” is a great album and probably the best power/prog metal release of the year.
Secret Sphere are becoming bigger and bigger and I truly hope that one day they will receive the achievements they deserve.

RATING: 8.5/10

BAND MEMBERS:

Michele Luppi – Vocals
Aldo Lonobile – Lead/Acoustic Guitars
Marco Pastorino – Rhythm Guitars
Andrea Buratto – Bass
Gabriele Ciaccia – Keyboards
Federico Pennazzato – Drums

BAND LINKS:

Website: www.secretsphere.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/secretsphere/