![](themes/SoT/BG_Moon_4a.jpg)
![Sea Of Tranquility](themes/SoT/SoT_FB_header.jpg)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secret Sphere: Portrait Of A Dying Heart
Two things were on my mind before I first heard this album, firstly I have Secret Sphere's last two CDs which I enjoy very much and so I was very keen to hear if they have another winner. Secondly I had just happily discovered that Michele Luppi was now their lead vocalist, best known as the former lead singer with Italian band Vision Divine. He has a distinctive wonderful voice and is a fantastic addition to Secret Sphere's talented line up. So it's great see Michele with another impressive Power Metal band in Secret Sphere who are also from Italy. Now with Michele on board whom I'm sure has his own following and this fine new album Secret Sphere are certain to make an even bigger impact on the metal world. If you aren't familiar with the songs of Secret Sphere but listen to Vision Divine and similar metal bands, then this new album is a top recording to start with.
Portrait Of A Dying Heart is the title and this time they have recorded a concept album "based on the novel 'She Complies With The Night', which was specifically commissioned by Secret Sphere's guitarist and main composer Aldo Lonobile to the young Italian authoress Costanza Colombo. 'Portrait Of a Dying Heart' deals with the eternal conflict between dreams and reality". Told through the ten tracks this release will come with a booklet which includes the complete novel, as I don't have the luxury of reading this for the purpose of this review being a download of just the tracksI assume it will make for quite the complete conceptual experience
Besides the great material Secret Sphere have presented us with on Portrait Of A Dying Heart, the cover art is also a drawcard, in fact one of the best I have seen in a while. Secret Sphere have certainly got it right delivering the complete package with Portrait Of A Dying Heart.
So how do you begin a great metal concept album? Well you start with in an instrumental and Secret Sphere have done just that and it's no short filler, this is six minutes of enticing and varied metal music the kind that you want to hear again and again. "X" introduces Michele's vocals and combines that more traditional style of prompt double kick fuelled power metal with slower passages. Secret Sphere do alternate the pace throughout with both traditional and modern influences with both a combination of heavy and softer music. Michele's vocals are always very expressive and here he sounds as good as ever, the slow and powerful "The Rising Of Love" is one where his vocals really shine through. I'm a huge fan of Michael Kiske, as he has been my favourite vocalist since I first heard Helloween back in the 80's, and yes, there are others I rate highly including the likes of Roy Khan and Daniel Heiman, well I'd put Michele alongside those guys any day.
Archetype was the last Secret Sphere release in 2010 and now two years later they have returned with their seventh and what may very well be their best yet Portrait Of A Dying Heart.
Track list:
01. Portrait Of A Dying Heart
02. X
03. Wish & Steadiness
04. Union
05. The Fall
06. Healing
07. Lie To Me
08. Secrets Fear
09. The Rising Of Love
10. Eternity
Added: October 15th 2012 Reviewer: Scott Jessup Score: ![](images/star_whole.gif) ![](images/star_whole.gif) ![](images/star_whole.gif) ![](images/star_whole.gif) ![](images/star_half.gif) Related Link: Band Website Hits: 3671 Language: english
[ Printer Friendly Page ] [ Send to a Friend ] |
|
[ Back to the Reviews Index ]
|
|
|
|
![](images/logos/SoT-Nuke.gif) © 2004 Sea Of Tranquility | For information regarding where to send CD promos and advertising, please see our FAQ page.
If you have questions or comments, please Contact Us.
Please see our Policies Page for Site Usage, Privacy, and Copyright Policies.
|
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all other content © Sea of Tranquility
SoT is Hosted by SpeedSoft.com ![](images/speedsoft_flag.gif)
|
|